What are the top 5 cyber risks mining companies are facing today?

As mining companies accelerate digital transformation—autonomous fleets, cloud-connected exploration workflows, ESG reporting platforms, and remote operations centers—the industry has become a prime target for cyber attackers. Mining is now considered critical infrastructure, yet many organizations still rely on fragmented systems, legacy OT environments, and limited cyber governance structures.

Industry research in 2025 shows the urgency clearly. Mining Technology’s Cyber Threats in Mining report (2025) warns that digitalization has dramatically expanded attack surfaces, especially through OT/IT convergence and vendor-controlled systems. EY’s Top 10 Risks and Opportunities for Mining & Metals in 2025 highlights cyber-risk as one of the most pressing but often under-prioritized threats in the sector. And A&O Shearman’s 2025 analysis emphasizes rising board-level expectations for cyber governance and controls assurance.

At Terra Dygital, we help mining organizations build resilience through structured governance, risk management, and controls assurance aligned with NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and cyber insurance expectations.

Below are the Top 5 Cyber Risks Facing Mining Companies Today—and why structured programs matter.

1. OT System Breaches Across Mine Sites

Mining relies on a complex web of OT systems—SCADA, PLCs, HMIs, telemetry sensors, fleet management systems, dewatering controls, and power distribution. Many were not designed for cybersecurity and often operate for decades without updates.

Industry Insight

Mining Technology’s 2025 report highlights that OT/IT convergence is now one of the most significant drivers of cyber exposure in mining, particularly as legacy OT systems become digitally connected.

Why this risk is high

·       Legacy systems without patching capabilities

·       Vendor access without proper controls

·       Flat networks with limited segmentation

·       Remote operations that increase exposure

·       Limited on-site cybersecurity expertise

Impact of an OT breach

·       Production stoppage

·       Safety system disruption

·       Environmental incident risk

·       Multi-million-dollar downtime

 

How Terra Dygital mitigates this risk

Our fractional CIO/CISO CyberSurance™ Programs and Cyber Risk & Controls Assurance (CRC) framework provide:

·       OT governance aligned with NIST CSF & ISO standards

·       Privileged access and vendor-access controls

·       Network segmentation and continuous monitoring

·       Evidence-based controls documentation for insurance

 Learn more about how our CyberSurance™ services protect your OT systems.

2. Ransomware Targeting Production & Exploration Data

Ransomware groups target mining because it’s a high-pressure industry: downtime quickly translates into lost production and lost revenue.

Industry Insight

Farmonaut’s 2025 forecast shows that over 60% of mining operations will face targeted OT/IT cyberattacks, with ransomware being the most common initial vector.

Why attackers target mining

·       High likelihood of payment

·       Valuable geological and exploration data

·       Heavy cloud dependency

·       Weak backup governance

Business impact

·       Loss of proprietary resource models

·       Delays in mine planning and reporting

·       Insurance disputes

·       Brand and investor confidence damage

How Terra Dygital helps

Our fractional CIO/CISO CyberSurance™ Programs strengthen ransomware defenses with:

·       Rapid control uplift for insurance qualification

·       Immutable backup governance

·       Incident response tabletop simulations

·       Evidence documentation for underwriting

3. Third-Party & Vendor Access Vulnerabilities

Mining depends heavily on contractors—engineering, geology, blasting, automation systems, SaaS providers, tailings monitoring companies, OT vendors, and environmental consultants. Many have direct access to systems or data.

Industry Insight

Mining Technology warns that vendor-controlled systems and remote access channels are among the most frequent entry points exploited in mining cyber incidents.

Core risks

·       Insecure contractor endpoints

·       Shared credentials across teams

·       Unverified SOC reports

·       Shadow IT via unapproved SaaS tools

Business impact

A single compromised vendor account can lead to:

·       OT disruption

·       Unauthorized system changes

·       Data loss or extortion

·       Downstream attacks damaging your brand

How Terra Dygital helps

We implement a mining-specific Vendor Cyber Risk Governance Framework:

·       Vendor inventory and tiered risk rating

·       Identity and access governance

·       Contract language for cybersecurity and insurance

·       Ongoing controls assurance

Learn more about our Vendor Cyber Risk Governance Framework.

4. Data Governance Gaps Across Exploration, ESG, and Production Systems

Mining companies manage high-value, sensitive data sets:

·       Geological block models

·       Core logging and assay data

·       ESG and tailings-reporting datasets

·       Production telemetry

·       HR, finance, and procurement systems

Industry Insight

A&O Shearman’s 2025 guidance warns that boards are increasingly accountable for data integrity, ESG reporting accuracy, and governance tied to digital assets.

Why this risk is growing

·       Increased cloud adoption

·       Decentralized systems between corporate and site

·       Inconsistent data retention practices

·       Lack of classification and access governance

Business impact

·       Incorrect resource/reserve reporting

·       ESG reporting inaccuracies (high regulatory risk)

·       Cyber insurance challenges

·       Loss of competitive advantage

How Terra Dygital helps

Our fractional CIO/CISO CyberSurance™ Programs standardize governance across the mine lifecycle:

·       Data classification frameworks

·       Access lifecycle controls

·       Cloud governance (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud)

·       Investor-grade controls assurance

5. Lack of Cyber Governance, Documentation & Continuous Assurance

This remains the biggest issue across mid-market mining organizations.

Most do not have:

·       A formal cybersecurity program

·       Policies, standards, or SOPs

·       Documented controls aligned to NIST or ISO

·       Vendor governance practices

·       Controls evidence required by insurers or auditors

Industry Insight

EY’s Top Risks 2025 report warns that many mining organizations underestimate cyber governance risk, despite rapid digitalisation and rising cyber exposure.

Business impact

·       Cyber insurance denials or reduced coverage

·       Regulatory exposure

·       Audit issues

·       Poor incident readiness

·       Reduced investor confidence

How Terra Dygital helps

Our structured programs deliver:

·       A complete cybersecurity governance framework

·       Continuous cyber risk and controls assurance

·       Monthly CIO/CISO oversight

·       Controls evidence mapped to insurer expectations

·       Roadmaps tied to operational and business outcomes

Cyber Resilience in Mining Requires Structure — Not Guesswork

Mining now operates inside a digital ecosystem: autonomous systems, connected operations, cloud platforms, and ESG reporting tools. Cyber risk has become operational risk.

Terra Dygital’s CyberSurance™ supports mining organizations with:

·       Fractional CIO/CISO Leadership Programs (Foundations, Core, Enterprise)

·       Cyber Risk & Controls Assurance (CRC)

·       Cyber Insurance Readiness Programs

·       Rapid Assessments (NIST CSF 2.0, CIS, Cloud, Vendor Risk)

Our approach delivers measurable, investor-grade cyber resilience for mining companies.

Ready to Strengthen Your Mine’s Cyber Governance and Resilience?

If your organization is navigating cyber insurance challenges, OT security risks, vendor-access gaps, or a lack of formal governance, we can help. Contact us today to discuss how we can safeguard your operations and build long-term cyber resilience.