Majority of Indian industrial organizations see cybersecurity risk as a top obstacle to growth, new global study finds

Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, released “Operational Resilience in the Age of Connectivity,” an industry insights report based on input from 1,500 manufacturing and industrial operations decision makers across 17 countries, Including India. The research reveals a disconnect between confidence in comprehensive cybersecurity protection and operational risk. Although industrial organizations are investing in cybersecurity, those investments do not automatically translate into operational resilience. 

As organizations continue to connect information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems, scale artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, and expand the use of operational data across the enterprise, they create new dependencies that can increase exposure to cyber-related risk. In fact, more than half of Indian industrial organizations surveyed identify cybersecurity risks as one of the biggest external obstacles to their organization’s growth. The research also points to the increasing role of AI in strengthening cyber defences – 54% of Indian organizations responded that they are currently using / planning to use AI/ML for cybersecurity over the coming months.

“As Indian manufacturers accelerate the adoption of AI, connected technologies and digitally enabled operations, cybersecurity will be critically to business continuity, operational performance, resilience, and growth,” said Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India.

“The findings reinforce the need for organizations to take a proactive, integrated approach to cybersecurity, one that brings IT and OT systems together, builds greater awareness at the leadership level and uses emerging technologies such as AI to strengthen the ability to detect, respond to and manage risk,” added Dilip. 

Key findings from the report include:

• Cybersecurity is emerging as a growth obstacle: 55% of Indian industrial organizations identify cybersecurity risks as one of the biggest external obstacles to growth.

• AI is becoming part of the cybersecurity response: 54% of Indian organizations currently using / planning to use AI/ML over the coming months for cybersecurity.

• Cybersecurity is seen as a smart manufacturing capability: 44% of Indian respondents identify cybersecurity as a smart manufacturing capability to drive the biggest business outcomes.

• Overlooking digital vulnerabilities: 35% of Indian respondents see lack of awareness about cyberthreats as a major leadership obstacle their organization face.

• Securing IT-OT architecture: 39% Indian manufacturers respondents plan to secure their IT-OT architecture to drive positive business outcomes over the next five years.

The report highlights how the convergence of IT and OT, growing adoption of AI and increasing connectivity across industrial environments are creating new dependencies and expanding the potential impact of cyber incidents. For Indian manufacturers, strengthening operational resilience will therefore require cybersecurity to be embedded into broader digital transformation and business strategies. 

The full report, Operational Resilience in the Age of Connectivity, is available HERE and explores how industrial organizations are strengthening cybersecurity, managing IT/OT convergence and building more resilient operations in an increasingly connected environment.  

Methodology

The report analyzes feedback from 1,560 respondents across 17 leading manufacturing countries, representing roles from management through the C-suite. The research was conducted by Sapio Research in association with Rockwell Automation and covers a range of industries, including Consumer Packaged Goods, Food & Beverage, Automotive, Semiconductor, Energy and Life Sciences, among others. Respondents represented organizations ranging from $100 million to more than $30 billion in revenue.