Why Manufacturers Need to Boost their Cybersecurity
Manufacturers are feeling the heat of online attacks, and the industry needs to match its reputation for operational efficiency with cyber-readiness.
Until recently, most headlines concerning cyberattacks tended to focus on the financial industry, either because banks themselves were being targeted by cybercriminals or because of the proliferation of phishing scams victimising individual and business banking clients.
Recently, however, the manufacturing industry has found itself in the crosshairs of hackers and cybercriminals, with many manufacturers being unprepared for the disruptive effects of ransomware attacks and data leaks.
Here’s a look at the growing online security crisis facing manufacturers and what can be done to strengthen cybersecurity defences at the factory level.
Safe No More: Manufacturers Feel the Sting of Cyberattacks
Traditionally, manufacturing companies had considered themselves low-risk when it came to cyberattacks. Unfortunately, the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought a stop to this sense of security.
While factories used to focus on physical security and inventory management far more than online defences, modern manufacturing setups, which feature production lines managed by robots and are one hundred per cent connected to the internet, can present a major vulnerability that cybercriminals will be only too happy to exploit.
The results of a cyberattack focused on a manufacturing company can have devastating effects on the company itself and the whole supply chain. These include:
- Severe downtime as a cyberattack cripples factory equipment linked to the Internet of Things (IoT). Pending payment of ransom or attempts to reboot the network from scratch, manufacturers may be forced to halt production.
- Manufacturing companies that produce critical components in the supply chains of other companies may not consider themselves major targets for cyberattacks. However, even if a small component of a product like a smartphone or a top vehicle model becomes unavailable, production of that product may need to cease as well.
In light of these facts, it’s easy to imagine the chain of production stoppages arising from a single cyberattack cascading and creating severe losses for every business involved in the manufacturing of a product.
Suppliers may face the risk of having their agreements with the parent company reviewed and could even find themselves in legal difficulties if they fail to deliver on their contractual obligations.
The Manufacturing Industry Needs to Be on Guard
As manufacturers realise they are no longer safe from the malevolent plans of cybercriminals, every business in this industry needs to ensure that its cyber defences are strengthened and ready.
Using immutable, encrypted online storage is an excellent first step for any business seeking to improve its cyber defences.
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