Cyber Security for Manufacturing

According to the EFF, the manufacturing sector is now the UK’s third most heavily targeted industry by cybercriminals. Despite this, organisations within the sector are among the least well prepared to defend themselves.

Security maturity levels in the manufacturing sector vary and almost half of UK manufacturers report that they have fallen victim to cyber-attacks, with many more incidents likely going undetected.

Common cyber security challenges in the manufacturing industry include

  • •   Reversing an industry-wide lack of security awareness
  • •   Combatting industrial espionage and operational disruption
  • •   Protecting sensitive data, capital and intellectual property
  • •   Managing security in the era of Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
  • •   Mitigating cyber security risks across the supply chain
  • •   Identifying and eliminating Industrial Control System (ICS) vulnerabilities
Key security questions manufacturers must ask
  • •   How often are Industrial Control Systems tested for vulnerabilities?

  • •   Are suitable security controls in place to prevent common threats?

  • •   Are systems able to identify threats that bypass the perimeter?

  • •   Is there a plan in place to detect, remediate and report breaches?

  • •   What systems and controls are in place to mitigate insider threats?

  • •   How are security risks in the supply chain managed?