Experts: Critical infrastructure facing more sophisticated cyber threats

Increasingly shared infrastructure was regarded by Palo Alto Networks UK Chief Security Officer Scott McKinnon to be an additional cybersecurity challenge for critical national infrastructure operators amid increased targeting by threat actors, reports Infosecurity Magazine.

Mounting geopolitical tensions have also intensified cyber threats against CNIs, with Russia setting its sights on the European banking and transportation sectors and China launching cyberespionage campaigns aimed at technology, defense, and energy firms, according to ZeroFox Vice President of Intelligence Adam Darrah. Both SonicWall Executive VP for EMEA Spencer Starkey and Dragos Chief Technology Officer Phil Tonkin have warned of even more intrusions against CNIs this year.

"Threats from criminal groups continue to grow exponentially. In 2026, CISOs need to be prepared for ever increasing risks, across the full spectrum of their digital assets, both IT and OT," said Tonkin, who urged CISOs to implement SANS' ICS Cybersecurity Critical Controls and other cybersecurity measures.