IoT Visibility Gap Threatens Industrial Cybersecurity Resilience

A new report from Honeywell Technologies reveals that only one-fifth of organizations continuously monitor connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices, highlighting a significant gap in operational technology (OT) cybersecurity visibility.

The survey, which polled over 600 global industrial cybersecurity leaders, found that just 20% of firms keep tabs on their IoT devices at all times. This lack of oversight is particularly concerning given the increasing number of cyber threats that can impact physical operations.

While 88% of respondents described their OT cybersecurity programs as mature, the report highlights a disconnect between perception and reality. In reality, many organizations are struggling to maintain visibility into their OT assets and systems.

The consequences of this gap in visibility can be severe: Honeywell's report found that organizations experienced an average of 16.2 hours of downtime from their most significant cybersecurity incidents, with losses reaching up to $500,000 per hour.