Kaspersk

ISLAMABAD: The global manufacturing sector is experiencing a significant rise in cyberattacks, with industrial control systems (ICS) increasingly targeted by malicious actors, according to a new report released by Kaspersky ICS CERT.

The report found that 19.6% of industrial control systems worldwide encountered blocked malicious activity during the first quarter of 2026. Kaspersky security solutions detected and blocked malware originating from 10,052 different malware families across industrial automation environments.

According to the findings, cyber threats against manufacturing and other industrial sectors increased in several regions during the first quarter compared to the previous quarter. Africa recorded the highest percentage of attacked ICS computers at 27.4%, while Northern Europe reported the lowest share at 9.1%.

Five regions — Southern Europe, Russia, Northern Europe, Canada, and Africa — recorded an increase in attacked industrial control systems during the quarter.

Biometric systems remained the most targeted category, with malicious objects blocked on 26.4% of such systems globally. Kaspersky attributed the higher exposure to internet connectivity, email usage, and limited cybersecurity controls in many deployments.

Within the manufacturing sector, Southeast Asia recorded the highest percentage of attacked ICS computers at 23.21%, followed by Africa at 21.36% and South Asia at 20.13%.

Evgeny Goncharov, Head of Kaspersky ICS CERT, said legacy operational technology systems and increasingly complex supply chains continue to create vulnerabilities within industrial environments. He noted that cyber incidents affecting operational technology can result in costly production disruptions and financial losses.

The report recommends regular cybersecurity assessments, continuous vulnerability management, advanced threat detection tools, and specialized training for both IT and operational technology personnel to strengthen cyber resilience.

Kaspersky said improving security practices across industrial environments remains critical as cyber threats targeting manufacturing operations continue to evolve globally.

Also Read: Manufacturing Sector Faces Rising Cyber Threats as Industrial Attacks Increase in 2026: Kaspersky