ISLAMABAD: The global manufacturing sector is facing a growing wave of cyber threats, with attacks on industrial control systems (ICS) increasing across several regions during the first quarter of 2026, according to a new report released by Kaspersky ICS CERT.

The report highlights a rise in cyberattacks targeting industrial environments, including manufacturing facilities, where operational technology and automation systems are increasingly exposed to digital security risks. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening cybersecurity measures as industries become more connected and reliant on digital infrastructure.

According to Kaspersky, malicious objects were blocked on 19.6% of industrial control systems worldwide during the first quarter of 2026. The company’s security solutions detected malware from 10,052 different malware families across industrial automation systems.

Regional data showed significant variations in attack activity. Africa recorded the highest share of attacked ICS computers at 27.4%, while Northern Europe reported the lowest rate at 9.1%. Compared with the previous quarter, increases in attacks were observed in several regions, including Europe and Asia.

The report also found that five regions—Southern Europe, Russia, Northern Europe, Canada, and Africa—experienced growth in the proportion of attacked ICS computers compared with the previous quarter.

Biometric systems remained the most targeted category, with malicious objects blocked on 26.4% of such systems globally. Kaspersky attributed the elevated risk to factors such as internet connectivity, email usage, and comparatively 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 expand the cyberattack surface for industrial organizations. He noted that disruptions to manufacturing operations can result in significant financial losses.

The report recommends regular security assessments of operational technology environments, continuous vulnerability management, advanced threat detection capabilities, and specialized cybersecurity training for both IT and operational technology personnel.

Kaspersky said strengthening cyber resilience remains essential for industrial organizations seeking to protect critical systems from evolving digital threats.

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