Survey: 52% of Firms Now Put CISO in Charge of OT Security

Fortinet Report Says OT Defenses Are Maturing, Aided by AI Tools Prajeet Nair (@prajeetspeaks) • July 9, 2025

Ransomware attacks, nation-state threats and aging infrastructure have made operational technology systems a prime target for attacks. In response, organizations are increasingly shifting the responsibility for OT security from plant managers to the CISO.

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Fortinet's 2025 State of Operational Technology and Cybersecurity report found that 52% of organizations now say the CISO or chief security officer is responsible for OT security, up from just 16% in 2022. That figure is projected to climb to 80% in the next 12 months.

“The elevation of OT risk is due to a heightened focus on industry - particularly manufacturing - by ransomware crime groups who are now monetizing production loss/interruptions in addition to their ransom calculus,” said Richard Springer, senior director of OT solutions at Fortinet ...