Lesson From Enigma Cipher Machine Shapes OT Sec Strategy

Center for Internet Security's Marcus Sachs on History, AI and OT Vulnerabilities Mathew J. Schwartz (euroinfosec) • March 29, 2026

Lessons from the breaking of the German Enigma cypher machine code during World War II reveal many of the risks facing operational technology security teams today. Engineering flaws and operator errors - not weak encryption - enabled British researchers to exploit one of the most advanced systems of its time and turn the tide in the war.

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Today, cyberattackers use remote access, internet connectivity and software vulnerabilities to gain a foothold in OT environments and move laterally to compromise enterprises. "We think we're doing everything right, and our adversary finds that one little thing we forgot," said Marcus Sachs, senior vice president and chief engineer at the Center for Internet Security.

In this video interview with Information Security ...