Honeywell Says 46% Ransomware Surge Hits OT Systems

Ransomware attacks surged 46% over the past year, with operational technology (OT) systems emerging as primary targets, according to Honeywell’s newly released 2025 Cyber Threat Report. The findings underscore a growing trend of cybercriminals shifting focus from traditional IT infrastructure to critical industrial systems, raising alarms across the manufacturing and energy sectors.

The report highlights an increasing sophistication in attack strategies, with threat actors exploiting vulnerabilities in OT environments to disrupt essential operations and demand higher ransom payouts. The accelerated targeting of these systems suggests that adversaries are recognizing the strategic and financial leverage gained from compromising industrial networks.

Honeywell’s analysis points to a heightened risk environment for companies that rely on interconnected operational systems, emphasizing the urgency for enhanced cybersecurity frameworks. The report’s data signals a critical need for organizations to reevaluate their cyber defenses, particularly as convergence between IT and OT systems continues to expand attack surfaces across industries.