In the industrial cybersecurity and IT-OT services sector, what are the main trends that are emerging and that will have a significant impact in the coming years?
"The main trends in industrial IT-OT cybersecurity are closely linked to the growing exposure of connected production environments and the resulting need for structured risk governance. Regulatory pressures are playing an increasingly decisive role: NIS2, the new Machinery Regulation, and the Cyber Resilience Act are significantly raising security requirements throughout the entire lifecycle of industrial systems.
At the same time, the shift toward continuous OT asset monitoring and security-by-design integrated into engineering processes is gaining momentum. The rapid expansion of IIoT and edge computing is broadening the attack surface, making security-by-design an imperative. Adoption of specialized SOCs is also increasing, alongside the integration of AI-driven solutions for proactive threat detection. Supply chain security is emerging as a critical factor in ensuring operational continuity".
With what level of confidence do you look at the evolution of the market in the two-year period 2026-2027?
"We look at the 2026–2027 period with a high level of confidence while remaining aware of the growing complexity of the market environment. The market is being driven by increasingly impactful regulatory requirements—first and foremost NIS2—as well as accelerating investments in industrial digitalization and greater board-level awareness of cyber risk as a business risk.
Demand for MSSP services and for monitoring and protection capabilities within OT environments is expected to grow steadily and structurally. However, challenges remain regarding the availability of specialized skills and the organizational maturity required for manufacturing companies to transform regulatory obligations into continuous and measurable cybersecurity programs".
Why did your company decide to participate in MECSPE 2026?
"We chose MECSPE because it represents one of the leading ecosystems for advanced manufacturing in Italy, which is a strategic market for us. The exhibition provides a valuable opportunity to engage directly with IT and OT decision-makers, as well as senior professionals involved in industrial automation and digital transformation initiatives.. Furthermore, the event offers an ideal setting to strengthen our positioning around OT cybersecurity, a topic that has become increasingly central. It helps shift the perception of cybersecurity from a purely technical function to a strategic enabler of operational continuity, resilience, and industrial competitiveness".
Among the objectives of your presence at the fair, what were the main priorities?
"Our priority was to clearly demonstrate the real impact of cyber risk on production environments. Through live simulations and practical demonstrations, we moved the discussion from theory to real-world operations, showing the direct consequences that a cyberattack can have on production continuity. Our goal was to raise awareness among decision-makers and encourage the adoption of structured OT cybersecurity strategies as a core strategic component".
Considering the contacts generated and the opportunities developed, how would you evaluate the return on investment of your participation in MECSPE 2026?
"MECSPE 2026 ensured a qualified oversight of the market and the activation of discussions with decision makers and stakeholders consistent with our positioning, including potential technological partners and system integrators. The priorities were to strengthen the positioning as an MSSPspecialized in the IT-OT field, generate qualified commercial opportunities and consolidate strategic ecosystem relationships. The value of the initiative will be manifested in the coming months through the maturation of the pipeline and the conversion of opportunities into structured industrial cybersecurity projects and managed services, with an impact also on strengthening authority in the OT market".
Stefano Aversa
Founder & CEO - AESSE Soluzioni Informatiche S.r.l.
