10 Key Insights on Why APAC Needs Smarter SOCs for IT and OT Security

The Asia Pacific region is at the center of a massive digital shift, where Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) are no longer treated as separate worlds. Businesses are integrating both systems to drive efficiency, automation, and innovation. However, this convergence also exposes organizations to larger and more complex cyber threats.

Kaspersky warns that only smarter, intelligence-driven Security Operations Centers (SOCs) can provide the layered defense needed to protect critical infrastructure. Here are 10 insights that explain why.

1. IT and OT Convergence Is Expanding Rapidly

Digitalization in APAC is fueling the blending of IT and OT systems. The market for IT/OT convergence in the region already stands at USD 13.41 billion and is projected to reach USD 62.17 billion by 2030. This rapid growth, with a compound annual rate of 24.5 percent, underscores how industries are relying heavily on integrated systems to maximize efficiency and competitiveness.

2. APAC’s Cyber Risk Outpaces the Global Average

With more connected systems comes a bigger attack surface. In Q2 2025, 23 percent of ICS computers in APAC experienced malicious activity, compared to the global average of 20.54 percent. This nearly 3 percent difference highlights that attackers are paying closer attention to APAC, where industries are leading the way in digital adoption.

3. Southeast Asia Ranks Among Top Targets

Cyber attackers are not hitting all regions equally. Data from Q1 2025 shows Southeast Asia ranking second globally for ICS computers targeted by malicious objects. Central Asia was third, and South Asia came in sixth. The ranking reveals how attackers are aggressively targeting APAC’s most digitally active regions, particularly in industries critical to economic growth.

4. Viruses Still Cause Disruptions

Even as newer threats like ransomware and spyware dominate headlines, viruses remain a pressing concern. In APAC, virus detections were two to three times higher than the global average in Q2 2025. While often dismissed as outdated, viruses can cripple operations, disrupt production lines, and rack up heavy maintenance costs when outbreaks occur in industrial networks.

5. Ten Countries See Most Virus Attacks

The countries most affected by virus infections in ICS systems during Q2 2025 were Vietnam, Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Nepal. These nations are highly vulnerable because of their rapid industrialization and varying levels of cybersecurity maturity, making them prime targets for attackers exploiting outdated defenses.

6. Oil and Gas Industry Faces Phishing Surge

The oil and gas sector in APAC has faced a wave of phishing campaigns designed to install spyware. In Q2 2025, emails carrying dangerous spyware families such as FormBook, AgentTesla, and Noon were detected. By directly attaching these to phishing emails, attackers sought to infiltrate critical systems, but Kaspersky solutions successfully blocked the attempts.

7. Smarter SOCs Are the Core Defense

Kaspersky stresses that traditional defenses are no longer enough. Organizations must establish a centralized SOC that integrates prevention, detection, and incident response across IT and OT. These smarter SOCs use advanced tools like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) to provide visibility across hybrid infrastructures.

8. Security Training and Assessments Are Vital

Technology alone cannot protect converged environments. Regular OT security assessments, timely updates to critical systems, and dedicated training for both IT and OT staff are essential. By strengthening workforce skills in incident prevention, detection, and response, organizations can stay ahead of attackers who continuously evolve their tactics.

9. Kaspersky Offers Specialized Industrial Solutions

Kaspersky has developed a dedicated ecosystem to help industrial firms secure converged IT and OT environments. Its Kaspersky Industrial Cybersecurity (KICS) platform enables advanced asset inventory, security audits, and anomaly detection, while being scalable across distributed systems. Meanwhile, Kaspersky Next XDR Expert enhances investigative and response capabilities by integrating seamlessly with third-party solutions.

10. Unified SOCs Ensure Full Visibility

A unified SOC with integrated Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and real-time threat intelligence enables full monitoring of IT and OT systems. This centralization improves incident response times, ensures operational resilience, and provides the coordination needed to deal with increasingly complex cyber threats in industrial environments.

The Asia Pacific region is at the forefront of digital transformation, but this progress also makes it one of the most attractive targets for cybercriminals. As IT and OT systems converge, the risk to industries such as energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing grows exponentially. Kaspersky emphasizes that only smarter, layered SOCs — equipped with advanced detection tools, continuous training, and integrated threat intelligence — can safeguard APAC’s critical infrastructure.

Without these measures, the promise of efficiency and innovation from IT/OT convergence could easily be undone by costly cyber incidents.