In the race to modernise Australia’s utilities sector, whether it's smarter grids, digitised water networks, or AI-optimised asset performance, there’s one truth utilities can no longer ignore:

Operational Technology (OT) is under siege. And traditional IT cybersecurity frameworks aren’t enough to stop it.

The line between digital and physical infrastructure has blurred. Yet many utility providers still rely on legacy systems, siloed teams, and reactive approaches to defend the very systems that power our homes, hospitals, and industries.

The New Reality: OT Is Now the Frontline

A recent global study by Fortinet found that cyber intrusions affecting both IT and OT systems jumped to 60% in 2025, compared to just 21% three years earlier. The same report reveals that even the most mature organisations, those with advanced security policies, still face significant risk from ransomware, phishing, and remote-access vulnerabilities.

In the utilities context, a single breach in an outdated ICS system can bring down a city’s energy grid or compromise water safety. And with growing geopolitical tensions, these are no longer hypothetical scenarios, they’re strategic targets.

Executive Ownership Is No Longer Optional

The growing sophistication of cyber threats has elevated OT security to the C-suite agenda. Over half of surveyed organisations (52%) now place OT cybersecurity responsibility under the CISO, up from just 16% in 2022. This trend is accelerating because leaders realise cyber resilience is not just about compliance; it’s about business continuity and community trust.

But ownership alone isn't enough. What matters is how quickly utilities can operationalise visibility, threat detection, and response across distributed, multi-vendor environments.

Why NEC’s Model Works for Utilities

NEC, in partnership with Fortinet, has built a practical blueprint to help utility providers achieve just that, without starting from scratch.

Here’s what makes the NEC model unique:

1. Local Expertise with National Reach

With regionally embedded teams across VIC, NSW, SA, and WA, NEC combines national strategy with on-the-ground execution. Utilities can engage with teams who understand local infrastructure, policy environments, and OT asset landscapes.

2. Real Assessments, Not Guesswork

Through the Cyber Threat Assessment Program (CTAP), NEC offers utilities a deep, diagnostic view into their live OT environments. The assessment identifies:

• Unknown access points and traffic flows
• Data exfiltration attempts
• Unsecured remote connections
• Use of IT applications in OT networks

Utilities receive a comprehensive risk report, along with remediation pathways tailored to their operational context.

3. Reduced Complexity, Stronger Control

Instead of stacking disconnected tools, NEC helps utilities consolidate vendors and deploy a platform-based security architecture. The result is:

• Fewer false positives
• Faster threat response
• Unified visibility from plant to control room to CISO dashboard

The Long Game: Resilience by Design

This isn’t just about patching holes, it’s about transforming how utilities design, govern, and secure their operational ecosystems.

With AI-powered threats on the rise and regulatory scrutiny increasing, utilities must invest in proactive, scalable security frameworks. NEC enables this with:

• Threat intelligence tailored for OT environments
• Virtual patching for unpatchable legacy assets
• Network segmentation and microsegmentation aligned with ISA/IEC 62443 best practices

Final Thoughts

The future of utilities lies not only in smarter energy or digitised water, it lies in building infrastructure that can survive and thrive in the face of disruption.

Whether you're a utility CIO, CISO, or operations leader, the message is clear: Cyber resilience is no longer a cost centre, it’s your licence to operate.

And NEC is ready to help you protect it.

Request an OT Assessment