2026 State of the Internet: The Exposure Notification Gap in ICS Devices

Censys' 2026 State of the Internet preview finds ~134,000 Internet-exposed ICS hosts with roughly 70% on consumer and mobile networks, creating an exposure-notification gap that hampers defenders' ability to identify and notify device owners; the report highlights geographic shifts in exposure (North America largest, Europe declining) and references a CISA advisory describing attackers targeting exposed PLCs that led to operational disruptions such as boil-water notices. The report emphasizes the risk posed by undocumented cellular connectivity and urges stakeholders to address visibility and remediation gaps.