Why Manufacturing Firms Are Becoming Prime Targets for Cyberattacks—and What to Do About It

As manufacturing becomes more connected, threats have evolved beyond physical theft or industrial espionage. They're now squarely in the crosshairs of cybercriminals, and the attacks are getting more frequent, more sophisticated, and more damaging.

Why the Manufacturing Sector?

Manufacturers often operate with a unique blend of legacy systems, industrial control technologies (like SCADA), and connected IoT devices—all critical for daily operations but vulnerable to cyber threats. You may have a recipe for disaster when adding these items to limited cybersecurity budgets and a workforce not always trained in cyber hygiene.

At Jackson Technologies, we’ve seen firsthand how cybercriminals are exploiting this industry.

Common Cyber Threats Facing Manufacturing Firms

1. Ransomware Attacks
   Ransomware is one of the most common and devastating threats. Cybercriminals infiltrate systems and encrypt critical files, bringing production lines to a halt until a ransom is paid. Even if the ransom is paid, there's no guarantee operations will fully recover.
2. Phishing and Social Engineering
   Employees are often targeted with convincing emails designed to steal credentials or deploy malware. One click on a malicious link can open the door to a broader network breach.
3. Intellectual Property Theft
   Designs, blueprints, proprietary processes—these are the crown jewels of manufacturing firms. Cyber criminals, including state-sponsored groups, are actively seeking to steal valuable intellectual property for competitive or geopolitical advantage.
4. Compromised Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
   Many manufacturing environments use outdated or unpatched ICS/SCADA systems that were never designed with cybersecurity in mind. Once compromised, attackers can manipulate physical processes, damage equipment, or endanger worker safety.
5. Third-Party Vendor Vulnerabilities
   Manufacturers often rely on a complex web of suppliers, logistics providers, and service vendors. A weak link in any one of these partners can be exploited to gain access to your internal systems.

What Needs to Be Done—Now

To protect their operations, intellectual property, and reputation, manufacturing firms need a proactive and layered approach to cybersecurity:

1. Conduct a Cyber Risk Assessment
   Identify vulnerabilities across your digital and operational technologies. At Jackson Technologies, we specialize in comprehensive risk assessments tailored for manufacturing environments.
2. Patch and Update All Systems
   Regularly update both IT and OT systems, especially ICS components that may be running outdated firmware or software.
3. Invest in Employee Training
   Even the most advanced security tools can’t protect against human error. Regular cybersecurity awareness training is essential—especially for employees working on the factory floor and those handling procurement or vendor relations.
4. Implement Network Segmentation
   Separate your production network from your corporate network. If one is compromised, the other can remain operational.
5. Secure Remote Access
   With more vendors and staff accessing systems remotely, ensure all access is authenticated, encrypted, and monitored.
6. Create and Test an Incident Response Plan
   When an attack occurs, a delayed or disorganized response can increase the damage. Have a clear plan—and practice it.
7. Work with a Cybersecurity Partner
   Cyber threats aren’t going away. Partner with an MSP like Jackson Technologies that understands the manufacturing landscape and can deliver 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and response.

Take action with Jackson—your cybersecurity satisfaction!

Schedule a FREE 1-on-1 Cybersecurity Strategy Session with Paul Jackson today and secure your manufacturing operations before the next attack hits.