Manufacturers operate in an increasingly connected environment. From production line controllers and smart sensors to ERP platforms and supplier portals, every digital link in your chain represents both opportunity and exposure. As this complexity increases, so too does your vulnerability to cyber threats.
Historically, manufacturing wasn’t seen as a primary target for cybercriminals. But unfortunately this is no longer the case: today, manufacturers face targeted attacks designed to steal intellectual property, disrupt production, extort ransoms, or move laterally through supply chains. And with OT environments often more vulnerable than IT networks, the stakes are high.
In this guide, we explore why cyber threats are on the rise in manufacturing, what forms they take, and what practical steps you can take to defend your operations.
Why Manufacturing Is A Prime Target
The days when cybercrime was focused solely on data theft are over. Attackers are now motivated by a wider range of goals, and manufacturing hits several key pressure points:
High dependency on uptime
Every minute of production lost has a measurable cost. Attackers know this makes manufacturers more likely to pay ransoms.
Valuable intellectual property
Design files, prototypes, production methods, and formulas can be lucrative targets for competitors or nation-state actors.
Complex supply chains
Third-party systems, cloud tools, and remote access create more entry points for attackers, both into your systems and from your systems into your customers, suppliers and other business partners.
Legacy systems
Many manufacturers rely on older equipment or control systems that were never designed with security in mind.
Limited internal IT capacity
In many firms, especially SMEs, cyber security is under-resourced or viewed as secondary to operational concerns.
All of this makes manufacturing an appealing target, with cybercrime in this sector growing rapidly as a result. In 2024, data gathered by Statistica showed that 26% of all cyber-attacks worldwide were against manufacturing companies, higher than any other sector.
5 Common Cyber Threats Facing Manufacturers
While the methods evolve constantly, several types of attack occur most frequently across the industry.
1. Ransomware
This remains the biggest threat. Attackers encrypt your files and demand payment to restore access. In manufacturing, ransomware can bring production to a halt, not just through IT disruption, but by locking up the OT systems that control machines and workflows.
2. Phishing and Business Email Compromise
Sophisticated phishing campaigns can trick staff into revealing credentials, authorising payments, or clicking links that deploy malware. Procurement, finance, and operations teams are especially at risk, as attackers often mimic suppliers or service providers.
3. Industrial Espionage and IP Theft
Design blueprints, production data, or R&D materials can be stolen and sold to competitors or state-backed groups. These attacks may be quiet and long-term, using advanced persistent threats (APTs) to maintain undetected access.
4. Supply Chain Attacks
Cybercriminals often target smaller, less secure suppliers as a way into larger networks. A compromised partner or vendor can act as a backdoor into your systems, especially if network segmentation is poor or access rights are loosely managed.
5. Insider Threats
These may be deliberate or accidental. A disgruntled employee might misuse access privileges, or someone may download malware by mistake. The human factor remains a weak link in many organisations.
Vulnerabilities Unique to Manufacturing
Although many industries face similar threats, manufacturing brings some specific weaknesses that attackers know how to exploit.
- OT systems often run outdated software or firmware: Patching may be delayed due to production concerns or compatibility issues.
- Limited segmentation between IT and OT networks: This allows threats to move from email systems into production environments.
- Poor visibility over legacy infrastructure: Machines installed decades ago may now be connected to the network but lack modern safeguards.
- Shared accounts or weak password policies: It’s not uncommon to find shared logins used for convenience, especially on shop floor systems.
- Unsecured remote access: External vendors or support staff may access control systems via poorly protected VPNs or default credentials.
Identifying and addressing these risks requires cross-functional cooperation, between IT, operations, procurement, and leadership.
The Impact of a Successful Attack
A cyber attack in manufacturing rarely ends with a locked email inbox. The consequences can impact the entire business, including:
- Production and delivery schedules: downtime leads to missed deadlines, lost revenue, and strained customer relationships.
- Health and safety: in some cases, tampered systems could endanger workers if safety controls are compromised.
- Regulatory compliance: data breaches may lead to investigations, fines, or loss of certifications, especially under GDPR or sector-specific standards.
- Reputation and trust: clients may lose confidence, suppliers may re-evaluate terms, and long-standing relationships can suffer.
- Recovery costs: even if no ransom is paid, recovery involves incident response, system rebuilds, new security investments, and legal fees.
These impacts aren’t hypothetical, recent attacks on global manufacturers have resulted in multi-million-pound losses and weeks of disruption.
Read our guide to compliance and accreditations for manufacturing companies.
Proactive Defence Measures That Work
While no defence is perfect, there are practical steps manufacturers can take to reduce risk and respond more effectively when incidents occur.
Segment Your Networks
Ensure IT and OT systems are separated wherever possible. This limits the ability of threats to move laterally. Create subnets for sensitive devices and restrict access between zones.
Enforce Strong Access Controls
Use individual logins, avoid shared accounts, and implement multi-factor authentication. Regularly review and remove access for former employees or unused accounts.
Keep Systems Updated
Where possible, apply patches and updates consistently across software, firmware, and operating systems. For legacy OT systems where patching isn’t viable, apply compensating controls such as network isolation or monitored access gateways.
Monitor Continuously
Deploy intrusion detection systems and endpoint protection tools that flag suspicious activity. Real-time alerts help catch issues before they escalate.
Train Your Staff
Phishing simulations, awareness training, and clear reporting protocols make a measurable difference. The best technology won’t protect you if users don’t recognise warning signs.
Develop an Incident Response Plan
Have a plan in place, and test it. Include roles and responsibilities, communication procedures, and recovery steps. Practice makes perfect when every minute counts.
When to Call in External Support
Some manufacturing companies may be able to handle day-to-day IT needs in-house. But, even if that’s the case, when it comes to cyber threats, the stakes are often too high - and the threats too specialised - to go it alone.
External IT and cybersecurity partners can help you:
- Conduct risk assessments or penetration testing
- Monitor systems 24/7 and respond rapidly to threats
- Build or refine your incident response strategy
- Implement compliance frameworks or certifications
- Modernise your infrastructure without halting production
These partners also bring a fresh perspective. What seems normal internally may appear as an obvious vulnerability to an experienced outsider.
Read our guide to IT risk assessments for manufacturing.
Securing What Matters Most
Cyber threats in manufacturing are not a theoretical risk: they are a present and growing challenge. But they are also manageable, and by understanding where the vulnerabilities lie, training your people, and putting the right protections in place, you can reduce both the likelihood and the impact of an attack.
Cyber security in manufacturing is not just about protecting data. It’s about protecting your people, your processes, and your ability to deliver. The good news is that many of the most effective steps are straightforward and scalable, especially with the right support: book a free consultation today to find out what that support could look like for your organisation.
