Cybercrime is becoming a bigger problem every day, with new stories of cyber-attacks hitting the news almost every week. However there is one industry that cybercrime affects more than others, and that is the manufacturing industry.Here’s our top 8 reasons why the manufacturing sector is particularly at risk from a range of threats, and why cyber security is important in the manufacturing industry.
As manufacturers adopt more digital technologies to improve efficiency and competitiveness, they expand their points of vulnerability. The interconnected nature of smart factories creates more entry points for cybercriminals, making cyber security in the manufacturing industry essential.
It’s true that many manufacturing facilities still rely on outdated legacy systems and industrial equipment that were not designed with cyber security in mind. These older systems often lack modern security features and are difficult to patch or update, making them more open to attacks.
Cybercrime isn’t just about diverting funds or ransom attacks. Manufacturers often possess valuable intellectual property and trade secrets related to their products and processes. This makes them attractive targets for industrial espionage and data theft, and proves why those in the manufacturing industry need reliable cyber security systems.
The complex, interconnected nature of manufacturing supply chains provides multiple avenues for attackers to infiltrate systems. A breach at one point in the supply chain, can have cascading effects throughout the network.
The increasing integration of operational technology (OT) systems with traditional IT networks creates security gaps. Many manufacturers struggle to bridge the divide between these two domains, leaving vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit if a manufacturing business does not have the necessary cyber security in place.
Manufacturing employees often lack adequate cybersecurity training and awareness. This makes them more susceptible to social engineering attacks like phishing, which can provide attackers with initial access to systems.
Cyber attacks in manufacturing can lead to significant production disruptions and downtime. This makes manufacturers more likely to pay ransoms or comply with attacker demands, further incentivising attacks on the manufacturing industry without cyber security.
Many manufacturers fail to conduct thorough risk assessments or implement comprehensive security measures. This leaves them ill-prepared to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a holistic approach to cyber security that encompasses technology, processes, and people across the entire manufacturing organisation and its supply chain.
Here at Vivo, alongside our specialist partners, we understand that managing cybersecurity can be complex, costly, and time consuming. That's why we’re launching CyberGuard in September 2024, a service for the challenges posed by evolving cyber threats.
How CyberGuard aims to help businesses affected by cybercrime;
The CyberGuard managed service is designed to tackle threats head on, and the 24/7 service will ensure all bases are covered, so your business doesn’t fall victim to a cyber attack. For more information on why you should choose CyberGuard, get in touch with Andy, via email andy@vivocomms.co.uk, or call him on 07956 806945!
Want to find out more about how CyberGuard can protect your business? Download our e-book here.
Find out about Cyber Essentials - A government-backed scheme to help protect your business from online threats. Download here.
