OT SECURITY THE BACKBONE OF OT SECURITY
Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), AI, and smart access are reshaping OT security in 2026, says Carlos Buenano, Field CTO at Armis
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perational technology (OT) and cyber-physical system (CPS) security have long lagged behind IT. Fragile, proprietary systems tied to safety and uptime made them difficult to inventory, patch, or modernise. But in 2026, AI-driven adversaries, fragile supply chains, and relentless digitisation are forcing OT security to evolve rapidly. Organisations embedding Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) into their operational DNA will thrive. From increasing regulation and new strategic direction to new threats to understand, here’s what’s in store for those of us working at the intersection of PLCs, actuators and business in 2026. AI is now a force multiplier for attacks. Autonomous agents probe networks, map exposed devices, and launch tailored exploitation campaigns, reducing breakout times and accelerating impact. We’re seeing machine learning systems detecting subtle control-loop anomalies in real time that human operators would miss. In OT, where minutes can mean millions, automation is the only effective defence.
CTEM as the operational centre of gravity
Once just a Gartner acronym, CTEM is now the backbone of serious OT security programmes. It shifts teams from periodic vulnerability management to continuous, risk-based exposure assessment across hardware, firmware, network paths, and supply-chain dependencies.
The difference today is context. Exposures are aligned with what matters: physical processes, safety implications, and operational impact. At one large utility, the
30 JANUARY 2026 | PROCESS & CONTROL
CTEM platform links every risk to an outage cost, safety metrics and regulatory consequences - transforming how executives perceive and discuss cyber risk. Boardroom conversations have shifted: metrics like “number of vulnerabilities” no longer resonate. Executives want to know how much downtime was avoided, what the financial exposure is if a process fails, and how safety outcomes are protected.
True resilience depends on contextual awareness, continuous exposure management, and supply- chain accountability
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In 2026, CTEM will integrate with firewall enforcements, workflows and reporting. The "Mobilisation" step demands that validated high-priority exposures lead to automated remediation. CTEM will trigger SOAR playbooks that push a micro-segmentation policy or temporary block rule to a Next-Generation Firewall, virtually patching the exposure until a permanent fix is applied. This workflow will shift security teams from reactive firefighting to proactive risk reduction.
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The principle of least privilege Many OT environments still run legacy systems that can’t be safely patched, replaced or monitored. Some use firmware that predates modern cryptography or is no longer supported. In 2026, protection - not
replacement - remains the dominant approach. Virtual patching, deep device fingerprinting and application-aware micro- segmentation are standard. Exposure management tools inventory and quantify the risk of unpatchable assets, recommending compensating controls automatically. Organisations will treat OT as a real hacking target, air-gapped or not, and deploy application-aware firewalls to defend it.
Simulate before you deploy Digital twins - virtual replicas of industrial environments - are transforming how organisations test, train, and prepare for incidents. They’ll help teams to validate access policies and segmentation rules within the twin before deploying, ensuring operational stability. They will also simulate ransomware outbreaks, lateral movement, misconfigurations, firmware updates, and segmentation policies. Many facilities now use them for joint tabletop exercises, turning training into realistic, hands-on experience.
The supply chain is the new front line Incidents involving compromised firmware or vendor tools show that OT risk extends beyond data - there’s real-world, kinetic impact. Expect stricter procurement and compliance requirements. Secure-by-design mandates, SBOM transparency, signed firmware and vendor attestation are becoming table stakes. Integrating these into CTEM workflows - verifying firmware signatures, maintaining vendor attestation registries, and flagging high-risk supply-chain devices - is now essential. No organisation can secure its OT environment without securing its suppliers.
By 2026, IT, OT, and cyber–physical systems will be indistinguishable, forming ecosystems that face constant assault. True resilience depends on contextual awareness, continuous exposure management, least–privileged access, and supply–chain accountability. Organisations need to automate faster than attackers, measure risk in business terms, and view every device, supplier, and process as part of a unified exposure landscape.
2026 is not the year OT is overwhelmed — it is the year we get ahead.
Armis
www.armis.com
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