Cybersecurity for Manufacturing: The 7 Biggest Risks and How to Prevent Them

Cybersecurity is now a critical focus for manufacturers. With the increase in ransomware attacks, intellectual property theft, and supply chain breaches, the manufacturing industry has been the top target for cybercriminals for three consecutive years.

In Ohio, manufacturing plays a vital role in the state's economy, employing over 700,000 individuals and contributing significantly to the GDP. The state is home to more than 14,000 manufacturing establishments, making it a hub for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and food processing.

Today's manufacturers depend significantly on automation, IoT, cloud-based production management, and remote vendor integrations. However, these technological advancements introduce new vulnerabilities that outdated IT systems and reactive approaches are ill-equipped to manage.

In this guide, we break down:

• The top 7 cybersecurity risks facing manufacturers

• Actionable strategies to protect your operations and IP

• How Securafy helps Ohio-based manufacturers stay secure and compliant

Whether you’re in automotive, electronics, or food production—your ability to stay secure directly impacts uptime, profitability, and trust.

Why Is Manufacturing the Most Attacked Sector?

According to Cyber Magazine, the manufacturing sector was responsible for 25% of all cyber incidents in 2023. These incidents encompassed a range of threats, including ransomware attacks that can cripple operations, data theft that compromises sensitive information, and operational shutdowns that halt production lines. But why are manufacturers such a prime target for cybercriminals?

Firstly, the widespread use of interconnected IoT systems in manufacturing environments creates numerous potential entry points for attackers. Each connected device can serve as a gateway for unauthorized access, making it crucial for manufacturers to secure these systems effectively.

Secondly, many manufacturers continue to rely on operational technology (OT) that is outdated and often unpatched. This reliance on legacy systems leaves them vulnerable to known exploits that cybercriminals can easily leverage.

Additionally, the complexity of supply chains in the manufacturing industry introduces significant third-party risks. With numerous vendors and partners involved, a breach in one part of the supply chain can have cascading effects, exposing manufacturers to potential threats.

Moreover, proprietary data and intellectual property (IP) such as blueprints, formulas, and prototypes are highly valuable to cybercriminals and foreign threat actors. The theft of such information can lead to significant financial and competitive losses.

In Ohio, the situation is particularly concerning, as there has been a noticeable increase in cyberattacks targeting small and mid-sized manufacturers. These businesses often lack the resources to maintain full-time cybersecurity teams, making them more susceptible to attacks. This vulnerability underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures tailored to the unique challenges faced by manufacturers.

The 7 Biggest Cybersecurity Risks for Manufacturers

1. Ransomware Attacks

In 2023, a staggering 71% of ransomware attacks on industrial companies were directed at manufacturers, highlighting the sector's vulnerability to this pervasive threat. Ransomware attacks are particularly damaging as they have the potential to halt production lines entirely, causing significant operational disruptions.

Cybercriminals use these attacks to encrypt critical systems and data, effectively holding them hostage. To regain access, manufacturers are often forced to pay a ransom, which can be a substantial financial burden.

Beyond the immediate financial impact, these attacks can also damage a company's reputation and erode trust with clients and partners. The increasing sophistication of ransomware tactics means that manufacturers must be vigilant and proactive in implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect their operations and maintain business continuity.

How to prevent it:

• Deploy real-time threat detection and 24/7 monitoring

• Separate IT and OT networks

• Maintain secure, offline backups

Securafy’s OT Security and Monitoring Services proactively detect and block ransomware threats before they impact operations.

2. Legacy Systems and Unpatched Equipment

A significant number of companies continue to depend on legacy systems and equipment that are no longer supported by the original manufacturers. These outdated systems often lack the capability to receive necessary security patches and updates, leaving them exposed to a wide array of known vulnerabilities.

This reliance on obsolete technology creates a substantial risk, as cybercriminals can exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access, disrupt operations, or steal sensitive data. The challenge is compounded by the fact that these systems are deeply integrated into the production processes, making it difficult to replace them without causing significant downtime or operational disruptions.

As a result, manufacturers must find innovative ways to protect these systems, such as implementing virtual patching solutions, network segmentation, and regular vulnerability assessments, to mitigate the risks associated with unpatched equipment.

Prevention Strategy:

• Use virtual patching and segmented networks

• Replace unsupported hardware/software when possible

• Conduct regular vulnerability assessments

Securafy provides full risk assessments and custom upgrade roadmaps to modernize your infrastructure while minimizing downtime.

3. Supply Chain Cyber Risk

The security of your supply chain is as crucial as the security of your own systems. Even if your internal systems are fortified, vulnerabilities within your vendor network can create significant exposure to breaches.

Each vendor and partner in your supply chain represents a potential entry point for cybercriminals, who can exploit weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt operations. This risk is amplified by the complexity and interdependence of modern supply chains, where a single compromised link can have cascading effects throughout the entire network.

Therefore, it is essential to implement stringent cybersecurity measures across your supply chain, ensuring that all partners adhere to robust security standards and practices. By doing so, you can mitigate the risk of breaches and protect your operations from external threats.

How to reduce risk:

• Require cybersecurity compliance (NIST, CMMC 2.0) from all vendors

• Limit and monitor third-party access

• Implement strong authentication controls

Learn how we protect your supply chain and reduce your exposure to cascading risks.

4. Intellectual Property (IP) Theft

Intellectual property such as blueprints, formulas, and prototypes hold immense value. These assets are the lifeblood of innovation and competitive advantage, making them highly attractive targets for cybercriminals and foreign threat actors.

The theft of such sensitive information can lead to significant financial losses, undermine a company's market position, and erode trust with clients and partners. Cybercriminals often seek to exploit vulnerabilities in a company's cybersecurity defenses to gain unauthorized access to this valuable data.

Once obtained, they can sell it to competitors or use it to develop counterfeit products, causing long-term damage to the original creator's brand and revenue. Therefore, safeguarding intellectual property is not just a matter of protecting data; it is crucial for maintaining a company's reputation and ensuring its continued success in a competitive market.

How to secure IP:

• Encrypt data in transit and at rest

• Apply role-based access controls

• Monitor for unauthorized access or transfers

Securafy’s data protection services include encryption, DLP, and access monitoring to lock down sensitive project data.

5. IoT Vulnerabilities

Connected devices are ubiquitous on factory floors, playing a crucial role in streamlining operations and enhancing productivity. However, these Internet of Things (IoT) devices frequently suffer from inadequate security configurations, making them susceptible to cyber threats.

Many of these devices are designed with functionality in mind, often at the expense of robust security measures. This oversight can lead to vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit to gain unauthorized access to critical systems.

Without proper security protocols, such as regular firmware updates, strong authentication mechanisms, and network segmentation, these devices can become entry points for attackers, potentially compromising the entire manufacturing network. Therefore, it is essential for manufacturers to prioritize the security of IoT devices to safeguard their operations and protect sensitive data.

Prevention tips:

• Secure all IoT endpoints with firmware updates and strong credentials

• Monitor network traffic for anomalies

• Limit internet-facing exposure

Securafy’s IoT Security Solutions shield your connected equipment from cyber intrusions.

6. Phishing and Business Email Compromise

Finance and logistics teams are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats such as invoice fraud and payment diversion scams. These scams often involve cybercriminals impersonating trusted partners or internal team members to deceive employees into transferring funds to fraudulent accounts.

The attackers typically use carefully crafted emails that appear legitimate, exploiting human trust and the fast-paced nature of financial transactions.

This type of attack can lead to significant financial losses and disrupt business operations. It is crucial for organizations to implement robust email security measures and conduct regular training sessions to help employees recognize and respond to these threats effectively.

Mitigation strategy:

• Implement DMARC and SPF email protection

• Train staff to spot spoofed emails

• Enforce multi-factor authentication across all systems

Securafy deploys layered email security and trains your employees with real-world phishing simulations to reduce human error.

7. Operational Downtime from Cyber Incidents

In 2023, more than 500 manufacturing sites experienced significant physical disruptions as a direct result of 68 targeted cyberattacks, according to data from Waterfall Security. These incidents not only halted production lines but also led to substantial financial losses and operational setbacks.

The impact of such cyberattacks extends beyond immediate downtime, affecting supply chain schedules, delaying product deliveries, and potentially damaging relationships with clients and partners.

The ripple effect of these disruptions underscores the critical need for manufacturers to implement comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that include robust incident response plans and continuous monitoring systems to mitigate the risk of future attacks and ensure business continuity.

Avoid production loss with:

• A documented, tested disaster recovery plan

• Continuous system monitoring

• Backup systems and redundant architecture

See our full checklist for IT readiness in 2025

How Securafy Supports Cybersecurity for Manufacturers in Ohio

We don’t just patch and monitor—we build resilient systems that keep production moving and compliance on track. At Securafy, our manufacturing IT solutions are built around security, performance, and uptime.

Our services include:

• Real-Time System Monitoring & Incident Response

• OT Network Security to protect critical machinery and equipment

• NIST & ISO Compliance Support (including CMMC 2.0)

• IoT Device Protection and network segmentation

• Vendor Risk Assessments and third-party security validation

• Data Backup, Recovery & Disaster Planning

• Integrated ERP, CRM & Inventory System Security

We serve manufacturers across automotive, food & beverage, plastics, electronics, and more.

Explore our full IT services for manufacturers:
www.securafy.com/manufacturing-it-services-ohio

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

• 54% of cyberattacks on manufacturers in 2023 led to production shutdowns

• 80% of manufacturers have known vulnerabilities in their systems

• 25%+ of all industrial cyber incidents were ransomware-related

• Downtime costs can reach $22,000+ per minute in some production environments

Cybersecurity is now part of quality control, supply chain integrity, and customer trust. Whether you're meeting ISO standards or bidding on federal contracts, security is a core business function.

Start with a Cybersecurity Assessment

Most manufacturers have blind spots—especially in older OT systems or third-party integrations. A risk assessment can identify these weaknesses before they result in an attack.

Securafy offers:

• Full NIST/CMMC-aligned assessments

• OT & IoT environment analysis

• Compliance readiness reports

• Actionable remediation plans

We’re helping Ohio manufacturers secure operations, stay compliant, and avoid costly downtime.