Ransomware & USB Attacks Threaten OT Systems
▼ Summary
– Ransomware and USB-delivered malware are increasingly threatening industrial systems, with a 46% rise in ransomware cases in late 2024 and early 2025.
– USB-related threats are growing, accounting for 25% of incidents, including worms like W32.Ramnit, which saw a 3,000% increase in industrial network detections.
– Legacy malware and outdated vulnerabilities remain effective in industrial systems due to older equipment and slower patching cycles compared to enterprise IT.
– OT systems, especially in energy, transportation, and manufacturing, were heavily targeted, with water utilities and agriculture also experiencing significant attacks.
– Basic cybersecurity measures like network segmentation, USB scanning, MFA, and regular backups can significantly mitigate risks, even against persistent threats.
Industrial systems face escalating cyber threats from ransomware and USB-based attacks, putting critical infrastructure at risk. Recent findings from Honeywell’s 2025 Cyber Threat Report reveal alarming trends in operational technology (OT) security, with threat actors exploiting both modern and legacy vulnerabilities to disrupt essential services.
Ransomware incidents surged by 46% in late 2024 and early 2025, with groups like Cl0p leading the charge. Honeywell documented 2,472 ransomware victims globally in just the first quarter of 2025, building on the 6,130 cases recorded the previous year. Meanwhile, USB-related threats accounted for 25% of incidents, often involving malware-laden drives that introduce worms like W32.Ramnit into industrial networks. Shockingly, detections of this banking trojan increased by 3,000% in OT environments.
Even outdated malware, such as Win32.Worm.Sohanad, continues to wreak havoc. Many industrial systems remain vulnerable simply because they rely on decades-old equipment with infrequent updates. Paul Smith, Honeywell’s OT Cybersecurity Engineering Director, explains that industrial assets often outlast their IT counterparts, making them prime targets for recycled exploits.
Energy, transportation, and manufacturing sectors bore the brunt of attacks, with water utilities emerging as particularly vulnerable. Incidents ranged from flight delays caused by airline system breaches to transit payment disruptions in Pittsburgh. The food and agriculture industry also saw a dramatic spike in cyber incidents, threatening supply chain stability.
To counter these risks, Honeywell recommends fundamental security measures: network segmentation, rigorous USB scanning, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and adherence to frameworks like NIST 800-82. Their SMX scanning kiosks alone intercepted nearly 5,000 threats, including hundreds of Ramnit infections, by vetting over 31 million files.
The report underscores a harsh reality—every organization will eventually face a cyberattack. Preparedness hinges on robust defenses, skilled personnel, and tested response plans. While advanced threats dominate headlines, basic security gaps still enable breaches, proving that foundational improvements remain critical. As the findings stress, starting late is better than never starting at all.
(Source: HELPNET SECURITY)
