Canadian Cybersecurity Network report highlights surge in OT cyber incidents, rising critical infrastructure vulnerabilities

The Canadian Cybersecurity Network outlined that as OT (operational technology) systems converge with IT, they have become one of the most attractive and dangerous targets for cyber criminals, hacktivists, and nation-states. The numbers tell the story. In 2024, 73% of reported cyber incidents impacted OT systems, up from 49% the year before. Recognizing that resilience starts with readiness, the report underscores that cybersecurity cannot be bolted on and must be built in. Protecting OT is not only about securing systems; it is about protecting people, communities, and Canada’s future prosperity.

In its ‘State of OT: Securing Canada’s critical infrastructure,’ the agency has made it clear that public safety and human lives depend on OT system integrity. Energy providers are now tracking 60 new vulnerabilities in grid networks every single day, while hospitals face ransomware that can delay surgeries, divert ambulances, and endanger patients. “The risks do not stop at hospitals and power plants. From remote mining operations to urban water treatment facilities, OT is everywhere, and so are attackers.”

The 2024 Black Basta ransomware attack on Ascension Health, which disrupted care for millions, is a stark reminder of what happens when OT is left exposed. The risks do not stop at hospitals and power plants. From remote mining operations to urban water treatment facilities, OT is everywhere, and so are attackers. Moreover, the 2025–2026 National Cyber Threat Assessment warned that ransomware and nation-state probing of critical infrastructure are “almost certain” to continue. The convergence of IT and OT means a single phishing email can cascade into an industrial shutdown.

Read more at Industrial Cyber