What Blockbuster Movies Are Teaching Us About OT Security

Cyberattacks are everywhere in entertainment—from Hollywood blockbusters to binge-worthy thrillers. In recent releases like Netflix’s Back in Action and the political miniseries Zero Day, we’re drawn into plots where high-stakes hacking threatens the very fabric of modern society.

But here's the thing: beneath the drama lies a serious truth. These storylines aren't just fiction—they echo a growing and very real concern. Cyberattacks aren’t just about stealing data or making money anymore. Increasingly, they’re aimed at disrupting, disabling, or even destroying the physical systems we depend on.

Welcome to the age of OT-targeted cyber warfare.

Hackers Want More Than Just Data

Most people still associate cybercrime with stolen passwords, leaked emails, or ransomware demanding crypto payments. And sure, that’s part of it. But operational technology (OT)—the systems that run power plants, water facilities, manufacturing lines, and transport infrastructure—is now a prime target.

And when those systems go down, it’s not just data at risk. It’s lives.

Back in Action – A Fictional Threat with Real Implications

Back in Action may be a fun, action-packed comedy, but at its core is a chilling idea: a single key that could compromise critical infrastructure on a global scale.

Of course, no real-world cyberattack uses one magic tool—but in practice, the gaps in OT systems can function like that “super key”: outdated hardware, weak authentication, flat networks, and unsecured remote access all provide entry points for attackers.

The movie might exaggerate for laughs—but the core fear is grounded in reality. 

Zero Day – When Fiction Looks Like the News

On the other end of the spectrum, Zero Day leans into realism. The show imagines a coordinated cyberattack that brings down power grids, disrupts transportation, and shakes national confidence.

It’s disturbingly plausible. In fact, we've already seen real-world previews:

• In 2015 and again in 2016, hackers took down parts of Ukraine’s power grid.
• In 2021, the Colonial Pipeline attack caused fuel shortages across the US East Coast.
• Manufacturing plants, hospitals, and water facilities have all reported OT breaches in recent years.

Zero Day doesn’t just entertain—it reminds us what’s truly at stake.

Attacks on OT Are Meant to Cripple, Not Cash In

What makes OT-targeted attacks so dangerous is the intent behind them. While many cybercriminals go after money or data, OT attackers often want something else: disruption, chaos, and even destruction.

In other words, it's not about breach—it’s about demolition.

Whether it’s a hostile actor seeking to destabilise a country, or an insider exploiting system weaknesses, OT systems represent a new kind of battlefield—one where a few keystrokes can trigger real-world consequences.

What Can Be Done?

Securing OT environments means shifting mindsets and closing long-standing security gaps. Key steps include:

• Eliminating shared or static credentials in favour of dynamic, non-reusable authentication
• Segmenting IT and OT networks to reduce lateral movement
• Monitoring access in real time, especially for remote connections
• Updating and patching OT systems wherever safely possible
• Designing for resilience, not just compliance

 The good news? Solutions such as OT Auth now exist that make this possible—even in uptime-critical environments where downtime isn’t an option.

Don't Wait for a “Zero Day”

Both Back in Action and Zero Day bring cyberattacks to life in very different tones—one with humour, the other with dread. But together, they deliver a shared warning: the systems that run our world are more vulnerable than we think.

And the worst-case scenarios don’t just live on screen.

OT security isn't about protecting files—it’s about protecting society. Not just about defending data—but defending daily life. Because when critical infrastructure fails, there’s no quick reboot. Only real-world damage—and no movie hero to save the day.