Rapid advancements in technology and manufacturing processes have accelerated productivity and efficiency gains in the manufacturing sector. The integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) with traditional operational technologies (OT) continues to transform and optimize how we manufacture products of ever-increasing complexity globally. This increased interconnectivity and digitization have introduced new threat vectors into traditionally closed systems. These vectors, introduced into a landscape of ever-evolving threat actors, are posing significant risk in the manufacturing sector – both to individuals and to society.
New threats to old systems
New geopolitical risks, global market competitiveness, intricate cybercrime syndicates, and the growing ease of crafting and launching sophisticated cyberattacks are driving a shift in mindset from merely advanced manufacturing to secure advanced manufacturing (AM). Clearly, the wide range of attacks illustrates the threats faced by manufacturing in particular.
- Supply chain attacks: Product and manufacturing complexity and growing supplier inter-connectivity have had a multiplicative effect on the number of vulnerabilities faced by modern supply chains. Exploiting these vulnerabilities can lead to production delays, quality issues,and compromise a manufacturer’s infrastructure.
- Industrial Control System (ICS) attacks: Advanced manufacturing systems enable remoteaccess and control, reducing workforce requirements and reducing processing time. However, malicious control of such systems can disrupt production and endanger worker safety.
- Ransomware attacks: Ransomware attacks continue to rise globally and are increasinglytargeted at the manufacturing sector, leading to increased financial losses along with the cost of recovery.
- Data breaches: Data such as a manufacturer’s Intellectual Property (IP), customer data andother confidential information continues to be a prime target for malicious entities. Unauthorized access and transfer of such data severely impacts an organization’s reputation.
Traditional methods, applied in a new way
How does one tackle these new threats?
Manufacturing