Hacktivist groups are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure’s Operational Technology (OT) systems, motivated by geopolitical issues that, unlike traditional website defacements, can disrupt essential services and endanger public safety.   The success of high-profile attacks on Industrial control systems (ICS) by groups with minimal technical expertise highlights a worrying evolution in hacktivism, which necessitates reevaluating hacktivist tactics and their growing role in the cyber threat landscape.  They are increasingly targeting OT systems, critical infrastructure that controls physical processes, and their goal is to disrupt operations and gain media attention for their cause. These groups may be state-backed and can launch denial-of-service attacks or exploit vulnerabilities.  While some boast more than they achieve, successful OT attacks pose serious threats like water utility disruption, while social media amplifies the impact of these incidents, creating a cycle that encourages further attacks.

Source: GBHackers