“Devices Most Vulnerable to Hacking Threats in 2026: A Forecast Analysis
Enterprise Networks Expand Attack Surface, Threat Actors Target Wider Range of Systems
As enterprise networks incorporate increasingly complex systems, including IoT and OT devices, the attack surface expands, presenting threat actors with a wider range of potential targets.
Riskiest Devices by Category
- IT: Routers (average of 32 vulnerabilities per device)
- Serial-to-IP converters
- Workstations
- Firewalls
- Domain Controllers
IoT Riskiest Devices
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems
- Printers
- Time clocks
OT Riskiest Devices
- Power Distribution Units
- Physical Address Control Systems
- Uninterruptible Power Supplies
IoMT Riskiest Devices
- MEDICATION DISPENSING SYSTEMS
- Medical Image Printers
According to researchers, “focusing solely on one domain is insufficient due to the interconnected nature of modern organizations, as attackers often exploit weaknesses across multiple environments and pivot between them.”
Legacy Windows systems remain widespread in various industries, with retail standing at 39%, healthcare at 35%, and financial services at 29%, following the end of support for Windows 10. Secure Shell (SSH) has become the second most commonly used protocol, increasing its presence in several industries, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Comprehensive security measures are necessary to mitigate the growing threat landscape.
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