The manufacturing sector in the UK is built around an unprecedented array of complex computer systems.

All of the machinery in a given factory might be controlled using digital signals.

This has resulted in impressive productivity gains – but it’s also created an opportunity for would-be saboteurs and other malicious actors, to target a given manufacturer.

The Growing Cyber Threat in Manufacturing

The cybersecurity threats faced by British businesses, including manufacturers, are constantly changing. Viruses and malware remain a menace – but phishing attacks and scams are often preferred by attackers. Attacks in manufacturing can cause production to be brought to a halt, which can disrupt supply chains and cause enormous direct costs, as well as reputational damage.

There are a number of precautions that manufacturers might take, but restricting access to a sensitive system is essential. To address these challenges, many manufacturers are turning to managed firewall services.

Common Cybersecurity Weaknesses in Manufacturing

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities tend to be prevalent in manufacturing thanks to a lack of new hardware. The disruption suffered during an upgrade might be enough to give decision-makers pause before agreeing to one – which can cause older systems to remain in place. This can create a vulnerability.

We’ve already mentioned how phishing and scams can be used to gain access to a system. This is only the case because many employees lack the knowledge and skills required to spot a problem – which is why training is essential.

Implementing Stronger Cyber Defences

A number of security measures might be employed to guard against online threats. This might mean segmenting a network such that an attacker can’t gain access to everything at once. Focussing on endpoints – ie devices like laptops and tablets used to gain entry to the network – might be useful. The same might be said of real-time threat monitoring, which might allow problems to be spotted and corrected quickly.

Compliance and Regulatory Standards

Staying on top of cybersecurity doesn’t just make good business sense. In many cases, it’s a regulatory requirement. For example, the Data Protection Act 2018 requires all businesses, including manufacturers, to take reasonable steps to keep data secure.

Future Cybersecurity Strategies for Manufacturers

So, what does the future hold? The nature of the threat is likely to evolve, as new technologies like artificial intelligence are used to create ever more sophisticated phishing techniques, and other forms of attack that might not yet have been imagined. But artificial intelligence might also be used defensively, to identify and deal with threats before they have a chance to inflict harm. Strict zero-trust access control models might also be used to make a given system more robust – which might make a big difference in larger and more complex organisations.