CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION (CIP) MARKET, SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Market, Size and Trends

The Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) market is estimated to be valued at USD 139.72 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 186.32 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2024 to 2031.

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The Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Market is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period. Increasing instances of cyber threats targeting critical infrastructures along with growing adoption of Internet of Things and industrial control systems have increased security concerns among various organizations. Furthermore, favorable government regulations and standards regarding infrastructure security along with increasing investments by industry players to develop advanced CIP solutions are some key factors expected to drive the demand for CIP systems over the coming years. Innovations to integrate advanced technologies like AI, Blockchain, and big data analytics into CIP offerings are anticipated to present lucrative opportunities for vendors. However, factors such as perceived high costs of deploying CIP systems and lack of skilled security professionals are expected to pose a few challenges to the growth of this market.

Rising Cyber Threats

The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats poses serious risks to critical infrastructure facilities and operations around the world. Hostile state actors and terrorist groups have demonstrated repeatedly their ability and intent to disrupt essential services like power grids, transportation networks, water supplies, and others through cyber means. Even seemingly minor outages or disruptions could endanger public safety and health on a large scale. Infrastructure owners and government agencies recognize that the traditional approaches to security are no longer sufficient to counter evolving cyber dangers. Advanced persistent threats continuously probe for vulnerabilities across vast digital assets, making complete prevention nearly impossible. A robust critical infrastructure protection strategy demands new solutions optimized for detection, response, and resilience against both known and unknown cyber threats.

In May 2023, the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) disclosed the Ransomware Vulnerability Warning Pilot (RVWP) program. This pilot is designed to assist in securing critical infrastructure organizations, enabling them to fortify their systems against ransomware threats. The RVWP initiative focuses on providing timely updates on potential attack targets, empowering security teams to take prompt action.

Traditionally, operational technology (OT) systems that monitor and control physical infrastructure functions ran on isolated networks with proprietary protocols, leaving them relatively sheltered from main IT domains and the internet at large. However, the adoption of industrial internet-of-things, cloud services, artificial intelligence and other digital innovations is driving an unprecedented convergence of Information Technology and Operational Technology environments. The integration aims to deliver benefits such as remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, automated workflows, and data-driven optimization of infrastructure performance. While unlocking new capabilities, the merging of IT and OT also significantly widens the vulnerable attack surface. Legacy OT equipment designed without modern cybersecurity practices must now interface with IT systems continually confronting advanced digital threats. Even minor flaws, poor configurations, or lack of automated protections on OT endpoints could provide unauthorized access at the core of critical operations. Given lives and national interests depend on seamless services, infrastructure entities must take decisive steps to erect digital firewalls separating sensitive control systems from public networks while enabling secure two-way data flows between IT and OT domains. Consistent security practices, upgraded equipment, and multi-layered protections must defend the connection points every step of modernizing infrastructure control through connected technology.

In June 2023, McAfee Corp., a global online security provider, introduced McAfee Business Protection in collaboration with Dell Technologies. This comprehensive security solution is designed for small business owners and helps them safeguard against cyber threats and vulnerabilities. The features include award-winning security, identity and dark web data monitoring, VPN services, web protection for secure browsing, and others. The partnership with Dell Technologies aims to provide robust security solutions tailored for the needs of small businesses.