In the modern, interconnected world, cybersecurity in the manufacturing industry has become increasingly important. Creating a resilient manufacturing organization requires an awareness of the cyber risk inherent in maintaining manufacturing operations and doing business. Assessing risk and proactively understanding how to implement security best practices are becoming more critical than ever in the manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing cybersecurity refers to the set of practices, protocols and measures a manufacturing organization takes to safeguard its digital systems, networks, data, physical assets and workforce from cyber threats, attacks and unauthorized access.
As manufacturing processes have evolved and integrated new advanced technologies and data-driven approaches, this has created new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can now target.
Cybersecurity in the manufacturing industry involves strategies to identify those vulnerabilities and mitigate these risks. Establishing robust defense mechanisms can help prevent disruptions and data breaches that can suspend production processes and damage the manufacturing organization.
The manufacturing industry needs to prioritize cybersecurity due to the persistent threat landscape. Manufacturing’s critical role in global supply chains is a notable factor driving this urgency. With supply chains becoming increasingly international, manufacturers have moved into the crosshairs of hostile nation-state actors. Manufacturing is a desirable cybercrime target as it includes vast intellectual property and sensitive financial data. Many manufacturing companies have been slow to implement cybersecurity programs, which has left their systems vulnerable to attack.
IBM Security’s 2023 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index underscored the gravity of the situation, revealing that the manufacturing sector encountered the highest number of ransomware cyberattacks and ranked among the most extorted industries in 2022. A prime example occurred in 2022 when the Chernovite threat group emerged. Using an advanced Industrial Control Systems (ICS) hacking platform called PIPEDREAM, Chernovite targeted manufacturing technologies supported by various third-party vendors.
The statistics demonstrate the across-the-board cybersecurity challenges for the manufacturing industry:
According to a 2021 IBM study, the manufacturing sector experienced more cyberattacks than any other industry. This trend continued in 2022, with manufacturing cyberattacks even outpacing those targeting the finance and insurance industry.
Major cyber threats for manufacturers include:
Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to encrypt the target’s files or data. Cybercriminals demand payment (ransom) for the decryption key to restore access.
Mitigation strategy: Manufacturers should have robust security measures in place, such as access limits, regular data backups and employee training. This illicit activity compromises proprietary information and poses broader security risks, as seen in instances like the theft of COVID-19 vaccine formulas in 2021.
Supply chain attacks target supply chains by exploiting vulnerabilities in interconnected systems, often infiltrating less-secure third-party partners to gain valuable access to data and disrupt operations within a supply network.
Mitigation strategy: Regularly examine the cybersecurity of partners and suppliers, establish strict access controls and watch for compromised systems.
Interconnected devices are targeted by cybercriminals who exploit security weaknesses to gain unauthorized access and manipulate the interconnected devices for malicious purposes.
Mitigation strategy: Implement stringent device management policies, constantly check their systems for flaws, and instantly install security updates and upgrades as they are released.
Manufacturing downtime due to cyberattacks can cause significant financial damage even when the shutdowns are short-term.
The revenue-risk nature of manufacturing supports why manufacturing cybersecurity has become a priority for many manufacturers. A recent survey by Deloitte notes that cybersecurity concerns have also slowed the integration of smart factory technologies – 48 percent of surveyed manufacturers have identified operational risk, including cybersecurity, among the greatest dangers to smart factory integration.
Safeguarding against ransomware attacks has become a priority for many manufacturing companies. A multi-faceted approach provides a robust strategy for navigating the ever-changing risk landscape.
Consider implementing the following steps to increase your company’s cybersecurity efforts:
Finally, manufacturers should create an incident response plan that provides proactive preparation for security incidents. Manufacturers should establish and communicate this plan throughout the organization, outlining steps for reporting, investigating and addressing security breaches.
By integrating these strategies, manufacturers can fortify their resilience against the growing array of cyber threats targeting the industry.
ZeroDay Law offers personalized cybersecurity solutions for the manufacturing industry. Your organization will work directly with our principal attorney, who brings years of experience and knowledge in defending organizations of all sizes from cyberattacks.
Contact ZeroDay Law to learn more about our cybersecurity services specifically designed for manufacturers.