Cyber Security in Manufacturing Industry

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What is Manufacturing Industry Cybersecurity

Cyber security in the manufacturing industry refers to the security measures that businesses in the manufacturing sector need to take to thwart cyber threats and attacks that are intended to destabilize their operations.

Why Does Cybersecurity Matter in Manufacturing?

The manufacturing sector contributes a significant share of revenue and is the driving force of the economy. Today it is one of the top beneficiaries of IT resources, for instance, large networks, connected devices, and advanced computer systems. Manufacturing cybersecurity is a huge concern for business owners in this segment.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) for automated processes

Industrial Control Systems or ICS are crucial for controlling and automating manufacturing processes. Their connectivity to networks and the internet needs to be safeguarded from cyber threats and attacks to prevent any downtime, damage, or safety risks.

Advanced monitoring and data management platforms (such as SCADA)

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems provide real-time monitoring and control of industrial processes and help ensure efficient operation. A breach affecting them thus could compromise sensitive data, disrupt operations, or even lead to physical harm

Connected industrial devices (IoT) for real-time monitoring

IoT devices in manufacturing serve numerous purposes, including process optimization and real-time monitoring. As these devices increasingly rely on internet connectivity for data exchange, they can simultaneously become attack surfaces. This is another reason for effective cyber security in manufacturing

Cyber security in manufacturing

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Common Cyber Threats in Manufacturing Industry

Getting a fair idea about the type of cyber security threats in the manufacturing industry is essential to prevent such scenarios and maintain your business in a good security posture. Discover the frequent types of attacks manufacturing industry businesses are likely to encounter. 

Insider Attacks

insider attack in the context of cyber security for manufacturers refer to challenges posed by inside actors. For instance, unhappy or ignorant employees whose actions result in the disruption of the business operation.

Industrial Espionage

Industrial espionage is the act of illegally accessing sensitive data like trade secrets of a manufacturing business on behalf of a competitor. It is an unethical practice that some rival businesses in the manufacturing sector itself commit.

Ransomware attacks

Ransomware is a type of cyber risk in advanced manufacturing businesses where an attacker installs malicious software in a manufacturing business’s systems and encrypts all critical data. In exchange for restoring access to the encrypted data, they demand a huge amount of m

Phishing scams

In a manufacturing unit, the employees can be at risk of phishing email scams or social engineering tactics played by cyber criminals who would trick them into sharing important cybersecurity factory information or installing malware that risks security.

Zero-day attacks

Through zero-day cyber threats to the manufacturing industry, the attackers exploit vulnerabilities in software or hardware That the organization does not know of yet. By doing so the attackers infiltrate systems before the IT experts do anything to thwart them.

DDoS attacks

DDoS attack, or Distributed Denial of Services, attacks are used to destabilize the computer systems of a manufacturing unit with unusual traffic. The objective is to disrupt the operations of the business or cause reputational damage and downtime

Attacks on IoT devices

Cyber-attacks targeting IoT (Internet of Things) devices are a common threat scenario in cybersecurity and manufacturing. These attacks intend to exploit vulnerabilities in connected devices risking or exposing the data being transferred via them

Supply chain challenges

Sometimes, the attacks targeting third-party vendors or suppliers, can also put the systems and data being handled by manufacturing systems at risk.. Attackers resort to such tactics to stop the supply chain flow to the companies.

ICS attacks

ICS attacks target industrial control systems (ICS). The consequence can be anything ranging from operation disruption to unexpected accidents leading to physical harm or compromising the overall safety, security and reputation of the business.

Inadequate knowledge

Employees’ or stakeholders’ inadequate knowledge of cyber security in the manufacturing industry can expose the business to vulnerable attacks. There needs to be regular training to make them familiar with common threat scenarios

Best Practices for Manufacturing Industry Cybersecurity

Given the rampant scale of cyberattacks affecting computer resources in manufacturing systems, businesses operating in this sector are urged to adopt the following best practices to prevent, thwart, or respond to attacks more effectively.
Manufacturing industry cyber security

What Makes Cyber Guard the Best Company to Ensure Cyber Security in Manufacturing Industry?

Cyber Guard is a globally reputed company with a decade of experience in offering manufacturing industry cybersecurity. The company has a long-standing reputation for collaborating with diverse manufacturing companies, including electronics, automobiles, and more, across various sizes, from small to large. Offering 24/7 support, Cyber Guard’s robust security solutions, integrated with advanced technology and providing end-to-end coverage, empower businesses to operate freely without security concerns.

Achieve safety that complies with manufacturing industry standards and enjoy complete peace of mind for your critical data. Contact Cyber Guard today for your end-to-end manufacturer’s cyber security solutions.

Conclusion

The manufacturing industry is among the most vulnerable segments to cyberattacks. Not only can a cyberattack disrupt operations but also lead to potential safety risks for employees and stakeholders. This blog has covered some critical risk scenarios this industry is vulnerable to and best practices to mitigate them. If you have any questions about the points discussed or require robust cyber security in the manufacturing industry, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

To verify if your systems and data used in the manufacturing unit are secure, conduct a regular vulnerability assessment. It helps in identifying threats or weaknesses around your critical assets, network connections, and employee practices.

When it comes to ensuring cyber security in the manufacturing industry, preventing attacks before they occur is the most cost-effective strategy, as the consequences of an attack can be financially devastating. Steps like implementing firewalls, antivirus software, employee training, and incident response plans to periodical vulnerability assessment are recommended. 

IoT devices come with default passwords which most attackers know. So, while configuring them, change the default passwords. Similarly, encrypt all data being transferred via IoT devices, segment networks, and have proper device management and monitoring protocols in place. Install firmware updates for the IoT devices in your manufacturing environment as soon as they are released.