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Survey Revealed Critical Infrastructure Security Gaps

A survey conducted in 2026 highlighted widespread vulnerabilities in building automation and IoT security.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Cybersecurity

Isometric editorial illustration of a brass pipe valve on a concrete wall, representing foundational infrastructure security.
A 2026 industry survey found that limited visibility into connected systems leaves many U.S. infrastructure organizations vulnerable to critical security incidents. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A survey of 603 infrastructure leaders conducted between May and June 2026 revealed that few organizations maintain visibility into their connected systems. The findings followed a series of attacks on U.S. water systems across seven states as of August 2026.

Why it matters

Many organizations remain vulnerable to security incidents due to aging legacy controllers that lack basic authentication or encryption capabilities. These gaps directly impact operational resilience, as organizations with limited asset inventories struggle to recover from system downtime.

Only 16% of organizations continuously monitor most building automation systems, while 20% monitor connected IoT devices. Significant security incidents caused an average of 16.2 hours of downtime across the sector.

The players

Honeywell Technologies

This multinational conglomerate produces a wide range of commercial and consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems.

The details

While 88% of organizations describe their security programs as planned or design-led, only 31% classify themselves as fully ready for security incidents. Data indicates that 42% of firms with substantial asset inventories recovered within six hours of an incident, compared to just 25% of those with limited or no inventory.

Timeline

  1. Honeywell Technologies surveyed industry leaders from May 2026 to June 2026.

  2. Attackers targeted water systems across seven U.S. states in August 2026.

The Tech Race

This report follows a pattern set by the broader trend of increased digitalization in critical infrastructure outpacing current security implementation. It highlights a recurring disconnect where aging infrastructure lacks the security necessary to defend against modern cyber threats.

The lack of robust monitoring for critical infrastructure assets means residents may face longer service outages during security incidents. Organizations must prioritize asset inventories to improve recovery times and maintain essential public services.

The takeaway

Achieving visibility into connected devices through continuous monitoring is essential for minimizing downtime in an increasingly networked environment. Leaders should prioritize updating legacy equipment that cannot support modern authentication standards.

Further reading

Learn more about evolving digital threats by visiting the Cybersecurity section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Help Net Security.

Live Poll

Do you trust that your workplace security systems are fully prepared to handle digital threats?