--- title: Legacy Windows Systems Cybersecurity Challenges | 2026 Manufacturing Report | TXOne Networks description: Explore the 2026 Manufacturing Report on cybersecurity challenges posed by legacy Windows systems and discover strategies to enhance operational resilience and protect critical environments. --- [![TXOne Logo](https://www.txone-europe.com/hubfs/AMEA/TXOne%20Element_files/AMEA_koreansite_logo_txOne.png)](https://www.txone.com/)[Contact Us](https://www.txone-europe.com/security-for-legacy-ot-assets#contact) 2026 ANNUAL RESEARCH REPORT **MANUFACTURING EDITION**   # Nearly half of Europe's manufacturing organisations have already experienced cyber incidents involving legacy Windows systems   #### New 2026 research reveals why legacy OT remains a growing cybersecurity challenge across manufacturing environments—and how organisations are responding. ![2026_EU_Manufacturing Legacy Research_LP_hero](https://www.txone-europe.com/hubfs/Europe/2026_EU_Legacy%20Research/2026_EU_Manufacturing%20Legacy%20Research_LP_hero.gif) [Download the 2026 Manufacturing Report](https://www.txone-europe.com/en/research-report-legacy-systems-in-european-manufacturing-environments#download)![2026_EU_Manufacturing Legacy Research_LP_hero](https://www.txone-europe.com/hubfs/Europe/2026_EU_Legacy%20Research/2026_EU_Manufacturing%20Legacy%20Research_LP_hero.gif) ### Legacy Windows systems are becoming a growing operational and cybersecurity challenge for manufacturing organisations   Across manufacturing environments, legacy Windows systems continue to support critical operations, from machine controls and robotic systems to testing stations, packaging lines, and plant-floor automation.   But while these systems remain essential, they are also becoming increasingly difficult to secure.   Manufacturing organisations face a difficult balancing act between managing growing cybersecurity risks, maintaining operational continuity, supporting ageing production infrastructure, and modernising without disrupting manufacturing processes.   For many organisations, replacing legacy systems is not a realistic short-term option. The challenge is finding practical ways to reduce risk while maintaining production uptime and operational resilience. ## Legacy systems aren’t going away. But the risks are increasing.   47% of manufacturing organisations experienced cybersecurity incidents involving legacy Windows systems in the past year 58% say compatibility with legacy equipment is the biggest barrier to replacing legacy Windows systems 62% are planning to invest in dedicated protection for legacy Windows environments #### **Manufacturers are balancing cybersecurity risk, operational resilience, and production continuity.** [Download the 2026 Manufacturing Report](https://www.txone-europe.com/en/research-report-legacy-systems-in-european-manufacturing-environments#download) ** ABOUT ** ### A data-driven view of legacy OT security in the manufacturing sector   Based on responses from manufacturing-sector OT cybersecurity leaders across Europe, this report examines: ✔ The prevalence of legacy Windows systems across manufacturing OT environments   ✔ The cyber risks most commonly affecting manufacturers ✔ Why legacy systems remain difficult to replace   ✔ How organisations are protecting production environments today ✔ What drives investment decisions around OT cybersecurity   ✔ The strategies manufacturers are adopting to improve resilience while maintaining operational continuity VALUE ## WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR ROLE Turning insight into action CIO / business leader Understand cost vs. upgrade trade-offs OT / plant operations Reduce risk without disrupting production CISO / IT security Move toward unified OT protection Download the Research Report!   ## Get the full 2026 report and benchmark your OT security strategy. **In this report, you’ll discover:**   **√** How widespread legacy Windows systems still are across OT environments **√** Why organisations **cannot replace legacy systems** (and what’s changing) **√** The **real cyber risks** targeting legacy OT today **√** Why incident rates are **increasing year over year** **√** What security strategies organisations are actually deploying ** ** # Who recommends TXOne Networks [![Customer-story-Ansaldo-Energia](https://www.txone-europe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Customer-story-Ansaldo-Energia.jpg?width=1024&height=578&name=Customer-story-Ansaldo-Energia.jpg) Energy - Ansaldo Energia ](https://media.txone.com/prod/uploads/2026/02/TXOne-and-Ansaldo-Customer-Story-EN.pdf) [![Customer-Story-Valmet](https://www.txone-europe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Customer-Story-Valmet.jpg?width=1024&height=598&name=Customer-Story-Valmet.jpg) Industrial automation & machinery - Valmet ](https://media.txone.com/prod/uploads/2025/11/Valmet-Case-Study.pdf) [![thumbnail-How-Carlsberg-developed-a-unique-approach-to-OT-security-with-support-from-TXOne-Networks-1](https://www.txone-europe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumbnail-How-Carlsberg-developed-a-unique-approach-to-OT-security-with-support-from-TXOne-Networks-1.png?width=1024&height=578&name=thumbnail-How-Carlsberg-developed-a-unique-approach-to-OT-security-with-support-from-TXOne-Networks-1.png) Food & Beverage - Carlsberg ](https://media.txone.com/prod/uploads/2025/02/How-Carlsberg-developed-a-unique-approach-to-OT-security-with-support-from-TXOne-Networks.pdf) [![thumbnail-Why-August-Storck-KG-chose-TXOne-Networks-for-their-Security-Solutions](https://www.txone-europe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumbnail-Why-August-Storck-KG-chose-TXOne-Networks-for-their-Security-Solutions.png?width=1024&height=578&name=thumbnail-Why-August-Storck-KG-chose-TXOne-Networks-for-their-Security-Solutions.png) Food & Beverage - August Storck KG ](https://media.txone.com/prod/uploads/2024/10/Stable-OT-Security-Why-August-Storck-KG-chose-TXOne-Networks-for-their-Security-Solutions.pdf) [View all resources](https://www.txone.com/resources/)