The National Association of Manufacturers reports that 13 million Americans are employed by more than 244,000 manufacturing companies. The industry drives $2.89 trillion of value added to the economy which equates to 10.3% of the US GDP as of 2023. Additionally, the industry continues to grow with an estimated 3.8 million new manufacturing positions expected by 2033. Clearly, the industry is thriving, and people are taking note. Unfortunately, individuals with nefarious intent are capitalizing on the prosperity and expansion of the industry.
Manufacturing companies face a range of cybersecurity threats that can impact their operations, intellectual property, and supply chains. Like all industries, manufacturing companies can fall victim to ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and insider threats, but there are a few cyberthreats that are unique to the industry. Some of the biggest cybersecurity threats to manufacturing companies include:
Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Vulnerabilities - Manufacturing environments increasingly rely on IoT devices and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) to manage and automate processes. These devices often have weak security measures, making them attractive targets for attackers.
Prevention and Mitigation:
- Segment IoT networks from the main corporate network.
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks - DoS attacks can overwhelm a manufacturing company's network or services, causing downtime and disrupting operations. These attacks can be launched by competitors, disgruntled insiders, or cybercriminals.
Prevention and Mitigation:
- Implement robust network security measures, including firewalls and intrusion prevention systems.
- Use content delivery networks (CDNs) and DoS mitigation services to absorb and deflect traffic.
- Regularly update and patch systems to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Legacy Systems and Outdated Software - Manufacturing companies often use legacy systems and outdated software that may no longer receive security updates, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
Prevention and Mitigation:
- Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and patch management.
- Plan for the phased upgrade or replacement of legacy systems.
- Implement compensating controls, such as network segmentation and monitoring, to protect legacy systems.
Remote Access Vulnerabilities - With the rise of remote work and remote monitoring of industrial systems, vulnerabilities in remote access solutions can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to manufacturing networks.
Prevention and Mitigation:
- Use secure remote access solutions, such as VPNs and zero-trust architecture.
- Ensure remote access credentials are strong and regularly updated.
- Monitor remote access activity for unusual behavior.
Industrial Espionage - Competitors or nation-state actors may target manufacturing companies to steal trade secrets, proprietary processes, and intellectual property. Such espionage can undermine competitive advantages and result in significant financial losses.
Prevention and Mitigation:
- Use encryption to protect sensitive data both in transit and at rest.
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized access.
- Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing.
The Manufacturing Leadership Council reported that in 2021, manufacturing was targeted by ransomware hits twice as often as all other industrial subsectors combined. Manufacturing companies must address a variety of cybersecurity threats, from ransomware and industrial espionage to IoT vulnerabilities and supply chain attacks. Implementing robust security measures, educating employees, and maintaining a proactive security posture are essential to mitigating these risks and ensuring the resilience of manufacturing operations.
Structured Technology Solutions (STS) has a security stack designed specifically for manufacturing companies. To have a conversation about the current state of your IT environment and how STS can support all of your cybersecurity and IT support needs, complete the form to the left.
Sources:
https://www.census.gov/en.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/cyber-threats-against-heavy-industry-intensify-c27a157a
https://nam.org/state-manufacturing-data/2020-united-states-manufacturing-facts/