Critical infrastructure — from power grids and water systems to aviation and healthcare — forms the backbone of modern society. Unlike a corporate data breach, an attack on these systems has ripple effects that can destabilize economies, endanger lives, and threaten national security. When cybercriminals, hacktivists, or nation-states target these environments, the consequences extend far beyond the digital domain into the physical world.

In recent years, the threat has accelerated. Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS), which control everything from turbines to air traffic systems, were once isolated. Today, they are deeply interconnected with IT networks, cloud services, and even IoT devices which are creating new vulnerabilities. A striking example came in September 2025 when a cyberattack on Collins Aerospace disrupted major European airports, including Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels (The Guardian). Flights were grounded, trade was disrupted, and global mobility slowed to a crawl.

Why Critical Infrastructure is an Attractive Target

Critical infrastructure is appealing because of its leverage value. Attackers don’t need to steal terabytes of data — simply disabling a system can create chaos.

• Economic Impact: Shutting down an energy pipeline, hospital system, or airport generates immediate financial loss and ripple effects across supply chains.
• Political Leverage: Nation-state actors may weaponize attacks to weaken adversaries or pressure governments during geopolitical disputes.
• Visibility and Public Disruption: Attacks on hospitals, airports, or utilities generate global headlines, giving attackers maximum attention.
• Ransom Potential: Organizations responsible for essential services are under intense pressure to resume operations quickly, making them more likely to pay ransoms.

Recent Case Study: The Collins Aerospace Attack

On September 20, 2025, Collins Aerospace, a major aviation supplier was struck by a cyberattack that rippled across European aviation hubs. Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels experienced massive delays and cancellations. Key lessons from the case:

• Supply Chain Vulnerability: Early investigations suggest the breach stemmed from a weak link in third-party software integration. This mirrors the SolarWinds (2020) and Colonial Pipeline (2021) incidents.
• Interconnected Systems: A disruption in one aviation supplier cascaded into full airport shutdowns, proving how fragile global transportation networks can be.
• Visibility Gap: Many organizations underestimate how far a supplier compromise can extend into their critical operations.

This case reaffirms the urgent need for better supply chain visibility and OT security governance.

Common Attack Vectors in Critical Infrastructure

Cybercriminals exploit recurring patterns of weakness in OT and ICS environments:

• Legacy Systems: Many OT devices run decades-old software not designed for cybersecurity. Patching can be difficult or impossible.
• Remote Access Weaknesses: Exposed RDP ports, insecure VPNs, and IoT devices create backdoors into networks.
• Supply Chain Compromise: Attackers often target third-party vendors, as in the Collins Aerospace and SolarWinds cases.
• Insider Threats: Contractors or employees with privileged access may be coerced or act maliciously.
• Phishing Campaigns: Attackers still rely on phishing emails to compromise IT accounts that link into OT networks.

Resilience vs. Prevention

While prevention is always the goal, absolute protection is impossible in critical infrastructure. The new security mantra is resilience: ensuring systems can withstand attacks and recover quickly. Core resilience strategies include:

• Segregation of Networks: Keeping OT environments segmented from internet-facing IT systems.
• Redundancy in Critical Systems: Power grids, aviation control systems, and healthcare IT must have built-in failover mechanisms.
• Fail-Safe Defaults: In case of compromise, systems should revert to safe operating states (e.g., defaulting to manual control or safe shutdown).

This mindset shifts security from “how do we stop attacks?” to “how do we ensure survival during an attack?”

Response & Recovery Planning

When incidents do occur, response speed and coordination determine the outcome. OT environments demand tailored strategies distinct from traditional IT playbooks. Best practices include:

• Tabletop Exercises: Bringing together OT engineers, IT teams, law enforcement, and government regulators to simulate real-world attack scenarios.
• Ransomware & DDoS Drills: Practicing how to respond to large-scale disruptions in advance.
• Custom OT Playbooks: Incident response for SCADA and ICS systems must account for physical process safety, not just data recovery.
• Public Communication Plans: Transparent, timely updates are essential for maintaining trust with the public during disruptions.

Regulations and Policy Landscape

Governments worldwide are recognizing the national security implications of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Regulations are tightening:

• European Union – NIS2 Directive: Enforces stricter reporting obligations, resilience measures, and supply chain security for critical operators.
• United States – CISA Guidelines: Provides sector-specific requirements for energy, healthcare, and transportation.
• Singapore & Israel: Treat critical infrastructure as national security assets, with heavy fines for non-compliance.

These frameworks elevate cybersecurity to the same level of importance as physical safety and regulatory compliance, forcing organizations to invest in resilience.