Cyberattacks Are Targeting SCADA and OT Systems in GCC

Gibraltar: Friday, 26 September 2025 – 10:0 CET

How Many Cyberattacks Are Targeting SCADA and OT Systems in GCC Critical Infrastructure?
By: Iain Fraser – Cybersecurity Journalist
Published in Collaboration with: MicrominderCS.com
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How Many Cyberattacks Are Targeting SCADA and OT Systems in GCC Critical Infrastructure?

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and Operational Technology (OT) systems across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) critical infrastructure face unprecedented cyber threats, with 73% of organisations experiencing an OT-impacting breach in 2024, up significantly from 49% the year before.

This alarming escalation directly threatens the region’s energy, water, telecommunications, and transportation sectors that underpin economic stability and national security objectives.

Why This Matters

Cyberattacks targeting SCADA and OT systems represent existential threats to GCC nations’ critical infrastructure resilience and economic continuity. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported a 145% surge in OT-targeted cyberattacks in 2024, with breaches costing industries an average of $22 million.

Key Risks for GCC Critical Infrastructure:

* Operational Disruption: Direct attacks on industrial control systems can halt production, disrupt utilities, and compromise public services

* Economic Impact: Infrastructure breaches average $22 million in costs, with cascading effects across interconnected regional economies

* National Security Threats: Critical infrastructure compromises can undermine sovereignty and strategic autonomy

* Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Supply chain vulnerabilities have emerged as critical factors in modern cyberattacks

* Convergence Risk: The growing convergence between IT and OT networks is exposing more ICS/SCADA systems to security threats from malicious actors

Authoritative Insight

Recent authoritative assessments reveal concerning trends specifically affecting the Middle East region. PwC Middle East issued its regional findings of the 2025 Global Digital Trust Insights report, which highlights the growing importance of digital and cyber risks for organisations across the Middle East. Furthermore, research analysed the market of cybercriminal services and the interests of hackers in the Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait) for the years 2023–2024, revealing sophisticated threat actor interest in regional targets.

The energy sector faces particular vulnerability. A January 2025 report authored by TrustWave said that ransomware attacks targeting the energy and utilities sectors increased by 80% in 2024 compared to the previous year. These attacks specifically target HMIs, SCADA, and PLCs through public-facing internet access, weak authentication mechanisms, and unpatched vulnerabilities.

C-Level Specific Corporate Impact for GCC Organisations

GCC countries present unique vulnerability profiles that amplify SCADA and OT cybersecurity risks:

* Rapid Digital Transformation: Accelerated digitalisation initiatives across GCC nations have expanded attack surfaces faster than security maturity

* Critical Energy Dependencies: Oil and gas infrastructure represents high-value targets with potential for geopolitical leverage

* Interconnected Regional Networks: Cross-border energy and telecommunications infrastructure creates cascading failure risks

* Skilled Workforce Gaps: Cybersecurity talent shortages specifically in OT/SCADA domains limit indigenous defensive capabilities

* Legacy System Integration: Older industrial systems retrofitted with network connectivity lack inherent security controls

* Economic Diversification Pressure: Vision 2030 and similar programmes require robust infrastructure security to attract international investment

Strategic Benefits for GCC Corporates

Proactive SCADA and OT Cybersecurity investments deliver measurable competitive advantages:

Operational Excellence

Robust industrial Cybersecurity frameworks ensure uninterrupted production capacity, maintaining regional competitiveness in global energy markets whilst supporting economic diversification goals.

Regulatory Compliance

Alignment with emerging regional Cybersecurity frameworks positions organisations ahead of mandatory compliance requirements, avoiding penalties and demonstrating governance excellence to international partners.

Investment Protection

Comprehensive OT security safeguards multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments, preserving asset value and extending operational lifespans whilst reducing insurance premiums.

Strategic Autonomy

Indigenous Cybersecurity capabilities reduce dependence on foreign security providers, supporting national sovereignty objectives whilst building regional expertise clusters.

Market Confidence

Demonstrated infrastructure resilience attracts international investment and partnership opportunities, particularly crucial for GCC economic diversification strategies beyond hydrocarbon revenues.

Quick Action Steps

* Conduct Comprehensive OT Risk Assessments: Partner with specialists like Microminder Cyber Security to map SCADA vulnerabilities across critical systems

* Implement Network Segmentation: Isolate OT networks from IT environments using industrial firewalls and secure remote access solutions

* Deploy Continuous Monitoring: Install OT-specific threat detection platforms capable of identifying anomalous industrial protocol communications

* Establish Incident Response Protocols: Develop specialised playbooks for OT security incidents, including coordination with regulatory authorities and international partners

* Invest in Workforce Development: Train existing technical staff in OT Cybersecurity fundamentals whilst recruiting specialised industrial security professionals

* Update Vendor Management: Require security certifications and penetration testing reports from all industrial control system suppliers

* Engage Regional Cooperation: Participate in GCC Cybersecurity information sharing initiatives and joint threat intelligence programmes

Looking Ahead

The trajectory of SCADA and OT cyberattacks targeting GCC critical infrastructure will intensify as geopolitical tensions persist and threat actor capabilities advance. GCC nations are boosting cybersecurity with major investments, workforce upskilling, stronger infrastructure and global collaboration by 2030. Organisations implementing comprehensive OT security strategies today position themselves as resilient leaders in an increasingly dangerous threat landscape, whilst those delaying action risk catastrophic operational and reputational consequences that could undermine decades of economic development progress.

MCS | Microminder Cybersecurity: Securing GCC Critical National Infrastructure & OT.

MCS: Your Partner for a Secure Gulf Future.

The GCC‘s trusted leader in Operational Technology (OT) and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Cybersecurity. We provide elite, fixed-cost security solutions for blue-chip Enterprises and Government entities across the Gulf, backed by four decades of global expertise from our parent group, Micro Minder Plc. Our integrated SOCaaS protects your entire industrial ecosystem—from IT and IIoT to ICS/SCADA systems. Learn More /…

About the GCC & Member Countries
The Gulf Cooperation Council The six GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These nations formed a political and economic union in 1981 to foster regional cooperation and integration among themselves.
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