In 2024, manufacturing was ranked the top industry most targeted by cybercriminals for the third year in a row. A year before, that same sector even comprised more than 25% of security incidents, with malware being the main issue. Yet, what may be more surprising is that 85% of those cyberattacks reportedly could have been mitigated with basic cybersecurity solutions like multi-factor authentication or access controls.
This is where cybersecurity resilience comes to into play. For those unfamiliar with the concept, it is the ability of an organization to maintain essential operations and recover quickly from cyberattacks or disruptions. It’s especially important in the manufacturing industry, in that it ensures continuous production, protects intellectual property, and safeguards supply chains from costly interruptions and potential breaches.
In this blog, we’ll break down cybersecurity resilience, why it’s important in the manufacturing industry, and how manufacturing companies can achieve it.
Cybersecurity resilience refers to an organization's ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to cyber incidents. Unlike compliance, which focuses on meeting specific regulatory requirements and standards, resilience is about the broader capability to respond to and recover from unforeseen challenges. Compliance ensures that certain security measures are in place, but resilience goes beyond by enabling an organization to maintain continuity, adapt to new threats, and minimize the impact of disruptions.
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, cybersecurity resilience becomes more and more important. Attacks for instance, often target multiple facets of an organization simultaneously. Resilience ensures that businesses can continue their operations despite these challenges, protecting them from financial loss, reputational damage, and operational downtime. A resilient cybersecurity strategy enables organizations to quickly detect, respond to, and recover from incidents, reducing the overall impact.
Relying solely on compliance for cybersecurity can leave organizations vulnerable to evolving threats. Compliance frameworks are often based on minimum standards that may not address the full spectrum of risks an organization faces. Additionally, these standards can become outdated as cyber threats evolve. A compliance-only approach may also lead to a false sense of security, where organizations believe they are fully protected simply because they meet regulatory requirements, without considering the need for proactive security measures.
Adopting a resilience-focused cybersecurity strategy offers numerous benefits beyond compliance too. For instance, it allows organizations to build a defense against both known and emerging threats by emphasizing continuous monitoring, incident response, and recovery planning. A resilience-focused approach also fosters a culture of security awareness and preparedness, where employees are trained to recognize and respond to potential threats. This even provides a competitive advantage since business operations remain stable even after a cyberattack.
There are several ways that cybercriminals target the manufacturing sector but there are some cyber threats that are specific to this industry. For instance, as mentioned earlier, ransomware is a common threat manufacturing organizations face because of the major slowdowns and shutdowns in can cause in busy factories. Those delays or shutdowns are very costly for manufacturing organizations, especially those who create products that are on sensitive time constraints. Because of that, many businesses then just opt to pay the ransom so they can resume operations and meet their contractual obligations. An example of a major ransomware attack in manufacturing happened in 2019 when the Norwegian aluminum manufacturing company, Norsk Hydro, was hit by a severe ransomware attack known as LockerGoga. The attack disrupted production lines across multiple plants, forcing them to switch to manual operations. Norsk Hydro refused to pay the ransom but suffered significant operational and financial losses.
Another cyber threat that is common in the manufacturing industry is supply chain attacks. That’s because manufacturers are very interconnected with different suppliers, partners and vendors, who they use to deliver materials and finished products. Supply chain attacks happen when one link is interrupted within that supply process, which leads to massive disruptions for each business. Cybercriminals often target smaller companies to gain access to major companies by hacking in through vulnerable endpoints. An example of this is the SolarWinds cyberattack of 2020, when attackers compromised SolarWinds’ Orion software, which was used by various manufacturing companies.
Additionally, industrial sabotage is another threat common for manufacturers specifically, in that it occurs when attacks damage the equipment needed for manufacturing. This of course leads to disruption of operations, as well as financial losses. An example of this happened in 2015 when hackers gained access to a German steel mill’s production network and caused significant damage to the plant's physical equipment by manipulating the controls of the blast furnace.
How do these cyberattacks happen you ask? Well, through vulnerabilities, like outdated systems or their Internet of Things (IoT) devices that can have major security weaknesses, such as poor passwords or a lack of security updates. There’s also the lack of employee training, which can make manufacturing companies more susceptible to employee errors, such as someone clicking on a phishing link or mishandling sensitive data. All these factors can make a manufacturing organization more vulnerable to a cyberattack that can delay or shutdown their operations and compromise sensitive information.
A holistic approach to cybersecurity for Connecticut businesses, particularly in the manufacturing sector, involves integrating security measures into the overall business strategy. By embedding cybersecurity into the core of business planning and decision-making, companies can better align their security initiatives with their business goals, ensuring protection across all departments. This approach emphasizes the importance of being proactive rather than reactive, anticipating potential threats before they occur and implementing preventive measures to mitigate risks.
Conducting comprehensive risk assessments is essential for Connecticut manufacturing companies to identify vulnerabilities and understand the potential impact of various cyber threats. These assessments enable companies to prioritize risks based on their severity and likelihood. Implementing these risk mitigation strategies is especially crucial in the manufacturing sector, as cyberattacks can disrupt production, damage equipment, and lead to significant financial losses.
Additionally, developing and regularly testing incident response plans is vital for ensuring that Connecticut manufacturing organizations are prepared to act quickly and effectively during a cyber incident. The plan should outline the roles and responsibilities of key personnel, the steps to contain and mitigate the attack, and communication protocols to keep stakeholders informed. After a cyber incident, the focus must shift to recovery and business continuity, which includes restoring affected systems, conducting a thorough investigation of the breach, and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences, so that operations can resume as quickly as possible.
Lastly, it's important that all employees undergo ongoing cybersecurity training, especially in Connecticut’s manufacturing sector, as they are often the first line of defense. Their awareness of potential risks, such as phishing scams and social engineering attacks, can reduce the likelihood of successful breaches. Strategies for building a cybersecurity-aware culture include regular training sessions, simulated attack exercises, and clear communication of cybersecurity policies.
Adopting cutting-edge security technologies, such as AI-driven threat detection and blockchain for supply chain security, can significantly enhance an organization’s cybersecurity. AI-driven solutions can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, identifying patterns that may indicate a cyber threat, which would lead to faster and more accurate responses. Blockchain technology also secures supply chains by ensuring the integrity and traceability of transactions and goods. However, implementing these advanced technologies comes with challenges, such as the need for large investment, integration with existing systems, and the requirement for specialized skills to manage and maintain these tools. Despite these challenges, the benefits of enhanced security make these technologies worth it.
The Zero Trust Architecture is a cybersecurity framework based on the principle of "never trust, always verify." Unlike traditional security models that assume everything inside the network is trustworthy, Zero Trust requires continuous verification of every user, device, and application, regardless of their location. In the manufacturing, Zero Trust can minimize the risk of insider threats and ensure that only authorized people have access to critical systems and data. This approach is particularly effective in environments where remote access and interconnected systems are prevalent.
Collaboration and information sharing are also vital components, especially in industries like manufacturing, where the interconnectedness of supply chains and production networks creates shared vulnerabilities. By working together within the industry and with cybersecurity experts, organizations can pool resources, share threat intelligence, and develop best practices to combat common threats. Participating in information-sharing networks and industry forums allows manufacturers to stay informed about emerging threats, learn from the experiences of others, and contribute to the collective defense of the industry.
All in all, cybersecurity resilience in the manufacturing industry is no longer just a matter of compliance but is a critical component of sustaining operations and protecting valuable assets. By understanding the concept of resilience, addressing key cybersecurity challenges, and adopting advanced technologies and practices, manufacturers can build a strong defense against ever-evolving threats. Moving beyond compliance to a resilience-focused approach ensures that your organization is prepared not only to withstand cyberattacks but also to recover quickly and continue thriving in a competitive market.
At Charles IT, we specialize in helping manufacturers strengthen their cybersecurity resilience. Contact us today to learn how we can support your business in building a secure and resilient future.