Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2024. Read them in this 16th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
A Seat at the Table for OT Amid the AI Boom
By Yaniv Vardi, CEO of Claroty
It’s been a pivotal year for companies as the AI boom introduced new generative technologies, forcing teams to quickly implement these tools while also navigating a complex security landscape. Given the rapid adoption of AI, we can expect it to dominate security strategy conversations for years to come. However, AI use in 2024 comes with its own set of unique challenges given the lack of knowledge around how it will evolve or how bad actors can use it to their advantage, causing increased concerns around its impact on security postures – a worry that has been top of mind for many cybersecurity leaders since its initial emergence.
Increasing OT Risk with AI Adoption
In 2023, the world witnessed an increase in attacks on critical infrastructure industries and their OT systems such as manufacturing plants, water utilities, medical devices, and cyber-physical systems.
With the trend of state-sponsored actors leveraging AI expected to grow in 2024, critical infrastructure industries such as manufacturing and healthcare – where IT and OT networks are continuing to converge – must balance security investments across both environments to ensure they are truly prepared against risk. While many of these industries may seem primed for AI adoption in 2024, it is crucial that they do not rush into adoption without taking the steps necessary to secure their expanded attack surfaces.
According to a recent report on the industrial cybersecurity landscape, 61% of respondents reported currently utilizing security tools that leverage genAI. However, out of those respondents, 47% claimed that using genAI has raised security concerns within their organization. The increased adoption of data-reliant technologies, such as AI and machine learning, is expected to increase cyber vulnerabilities for XIoT systems in 2024. While this will lead many organizations to focus their security investments on IT to keep pace with these emerging technologies, it is critical that they do not overlook the OT risks also associated with them.
For industries like healthcare where AI can offer increased workflow efficiency and bridge cyber skill gaps caused by budgetary constraints, it can also increase the potential risk and entry points for threat actors to conduct major harm. In 2024 it will be important for companies to reassess the added level of risk that comes with AI adoption in addition to reevaluating whether current security measures for OT environments are sufficient enough to protect against bad actors exploiting the technology.
##
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yaniv Vardi is a dynamic and highly accomplished entrepreneur with more than two decades of global executive leadership experience. He has established a long-standing and impressive track record of developing and executing global business strategies and directing worldwide growth. As Claroty’s Chief Executive Officer, Vardi leads the company, solidifying its position as the leader in OT security.
Prior to joining Claroty, he recently served as the Global Managing Director of Centrica Business Solutions, International, managing 8 countries and expanding the company’s proposition mainly in Europe, South America, and Asia Pacific into a significant business. Prior to joining Centrica, Vardi was the CEO of Panoramic Power, a global pioneer in energy management solutions for global C&I customers, which was acquired by Centrica. Prior to joining Panoramic Power, Vardi was Co-founder and Managing Director of Sparta Systems EMEA, successfully driving its operations to be the leading provider of QMS in the Life Science industry, and leading the company to a successful acquisition.
Based on his wealth of experience, Vardi brings vital knowledge of operational direction and strategies as a board director and chairman in different companies in Israel, Europe, and the United States. Vardi graduated Magna Cum Laude from the New Jersey Institute of Technology majoring in Industrial and Management Engineering and Management of Information Systems and served in the Israeli Air Force for five years.
