From industrial systems to smart cities, the rapidly expanding Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem is forcing a fundamental rethink of cybersecurity architectures.
The convergence of information technology and operational technology (OT), combined with the deployment of artificial intelligence, is rendering traditional security models increasingly inadequate, according to IoT Analytics' 2026 OT Cybersecurity Insights Report.
The report highlights that industrial systems, once isolated from external networks, are now increasingly connected to corporate IT environments and cloud platforms, significantly expanding their attack surface.
New connectivity, new attack vectors
As production, energy, transportation and critical infrastructure systems become internet-facing, OT environments are no longer shielded from cyber threats.
In response, the report identifies hybrid security architectures, combining centralized and distributed models, as the emerging standard. Security controls are no longer confined to central data centers but must extend across field-level devices, edge systems and enterprise layers.
The report says a key architectural element is the growing importance of intermediate demilitarized zones (DMZs) positioned between IT and OT environments.
The report outlines a layered security framework spanning:
Levels 0-1: Physical processes and field devices
Level 3: Operational control systems
Level 4: Enterprise IT networks
Level 5: Internet-facing DMZ environments
Each layer presents distinct threat profiles and requires tailored security controls.
'Zero trust' becomes baseline
Traditional "trust-based" network models are rapidly giving way to "zero trust" architectures, the report finds.
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