The Industrial Cybersecurity Market focused on protecting Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS has shifted from a niche IT concern to a core business imperative. According to Dataintelo, the market is projected to reach USD 22.8 billion by 2026, driven by the rapid convergence of IT and OT environments and the rising frequency of OT-focused cyberattacks. As digital transformation accelerates across manufacturing, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors, both financial and operational risks continue to escalate, making industrial cybersecurity a strategic investment priority
This data-rich guide explores the latest numbers shaping industrial cybersecurity, quantified risks, cost benchmarks, and ROI metrics for defenders in 2026.
Key Statistics at a Glance
| Metric | 2023–2026 Value | Trend |
| Average cost of a data breach (industrial) | $5.56M (2024) | +18% vs 2023 |
| Unplanned downtime cost globally | $50B annually | — |
| Percentage of manufacturers experiencing breaches | 61% | — |
| OT system security pros who think systems are vulnerable | 93% | — |
| Average ICS compromise rate (Q2 2025) | 20.5% | — |
| Exposed industrial systems on the internet | ~180,000 (2024) | +12% vs 2023 |
| Global OT/ICS market projection | $22.8B by 2026 | — |
| Organizations with unsecured remote access | 82% | — |
| ICS security threats involving malware | 37% | — |
| Incident response planning firms | 30% of manufacturers | — |
1. The Rising Financial Toll of Industrial Cyberattacks
Breach Cost Benchmarks
In 2024, industrial organizations faced an average breach cost of $5.56M, the third-highest among 17 industries analysed globally. This was an +18% increase vs 2023 and 13% higher than the $4.88M global average across sectors.
To contextualize:
- Healthcare breaches average ~$9.77M.
- Industrial/ICS breaches are at ~$8.4M on some metrics.
- Retail averages ~$3.48M, significantly lower than industrial figures.
Year-over-Year Cost Comparison
| Year | Avg. Industrial Breach Cost |
| 2023 | ~$4.7M (approx) |
| 2024 | $5.56M (+18%) |
| 2025 | ~$5.56M–$8.4M range (varies by source) |
Downtime Is the Hidden Cost
Unplanned outages strike hard:
- 70% of industrial firms report unplanned downtime lasting 4–24 hours per breach.
- $50 billion annually lost across global industrial manufacturing due to unplanned downtime.
Even 1 hour of stoppage can cost millions — automotive assembly lines may lose $22,000 per minute during downtime.
2. Risk Exposure & Attack Frequency Trends
Exploit & Vulnerability Metrics
Recent trends indicate:
- 20.5% of ICS devices faced attacks in Q2 2025.
- Malware-related threats account for 37% of ICS security incidents.
- Unsecured remote access exists in 82% of OT environments.
- Exposed industrial systems grew from 160,000 in 2023 to 180,000 in 2024 (+12%).
Attack Type Breakdown (2025)
| Threat Vector | Percentage |
| Unauthorized external access | 50% |
| Insider misuse/error | 41% |
| Ransomware | 15% |
| Supply chain compromise | 22% |
| Data modification | 21% |
3. Organizational Readiness & Cyber Defense Gaps
Workforce & Maturity Benchmarks
Critical self-assessments reveal:
- 93% of OT security pros believe their environment is vulnerable.
- Only ~30% of manufacturers maintain a formal incident response plan.
- Less than 50% conduct regular penetration testing on control networks.
- 61% of manufacturers reported at least one cybersecurity incident.
These gaps are compounded by legacy infrastructure — 80% of organizations cite outdated OT equipment as a security challenge.
4. Industrial Cybersecurity Market Growth & Investment
Optimism exists in the investment outlook:
- The global industrial cybersecurity market is projected to reach $22.8 billion by 2026.
- OT security spending shows an expected +15% CAGR over the next 5 years.
Yet many firms underinvest today; only 30% have a dedicated OT incident response plan.
5. Real-World Case & Cost Breakdown
Example: German Automotive Supplier Breach (2024)
- Production halt: 11 days
- Direct losses: €37M
- Penalties: €12M
- Remediation: €8.5M
- Ransomware paid: €4.2M
- Total cost: €61.7M (~$66M USD)
- Preventative segmentation cost: €1.2M (~$1.29M) — 1.9% of total loss.
This stark 32:1 ROI on proactive defenses illustrates the cost efficiency of industrial cybersecurity best practices.
6. Forecasts & Trends (2026 & Beyond) Threat Growth
- OT/ICS attack volume up ~46% YoY, with ~820,000 attacks daily in 2025.
- ICS protocol attacks surged 84% in 2025 vs 2024 (e.g., Modbus at 57%).
Detection & Response Benefits
Organizations with dedicated breach response teams cut containment times by 25–40% and reduce breach costs proportionally.
Conclusion — The Numbers Matter
Industrial cybersecurity is quantifiable, measurable, and high-stakes:
- $5.56M+ average breach cost in the industrial sector (2024) — +18% YoY.
- $50B lost to unplanned downtime annually.
- 93% of OT pros view their systems as vulnerable.
- Only ~30% have formal incident response plans.
- Investing early (e.g., segmentation at €1.2M) can avoid €60M+ breach costs.
These data points prove: industrial cybersecurity is not optional it’s essential for operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and financial resilience in 2026 and beyond.
Read Full Report: https://dataintelo.com/report/industrial-cybersecurity-market
