Top 7 Key Cybersecurity Practices in Manufacturing

As manufacturing becomes increasingly digitized, cybersecurity is now a critical concern for the industry. Cyberattacks on manufacturing have surged in recent years, with ransomware, phishing, and data breaches becoming increasingly common​. This list outlines the top seven cybersecurity best practices manufacturers should adopt to protect their operations, data, and intellectual property.

1. Adopting a Zero Trust Architecture

Zero Trust has emerged as a leading security framework for manufacturers. Unlike traditional security models that assume internal networks are safe, Zero Trust operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Every user, device, and application, whether inside or outside the network, must be authenticated and authorized before access is granted. This is particularly important in manufacturing environments where industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) are now connected to corporate IT networks, increasing the risk of breaches​.

Key Actions:

• Implement role-based access controls (RBAC) and least-privilege principles to limit access to critical systems.
• Continuously verify and monitor all network connections using advanced security protocols like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and encryption​.

By reducing reliance on perimeter-based defenses, manufacturers can minimize the risk of both internal and external threats, especially with the increasing adoption of cloud services and remote work​.

2. Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Encryption

With the increase in cyberattacks targeting sensitive manufacturing data, implementing robust authentication methods and encryption has become a necessity. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to systems. In combination with data encryption—both at rest and in transit—this ensures that even if credentials or sensitive data are compromised, unauthorized access or data breaches can be mitigated​.

Key Actions:

• Enforce MFA for all employees, particularly for accessing critical systems or applications that control machinery and data.
• Encrypt sensitive data, including intellectual property, design files, and communication streams, to prevent interception by malicious actors​.

This combination of MFA and encryption helps protect the digital assets and intellectual property that are essential to maintaining competitive advantage in manufacturing.

3. Strengthening Supply Chain Security

Supply chains are interconnected and digitized, making them highly susceptible to cyber threats. A single weak link in the supply chain can expose manufacturers to significant risks, such as data breaches, system shutdowns, or intellectual property theft​. Cybercriminals often target third-party vendors with weaker security practices, making supply chain security a top priority for manufacturing cybersecurity.

Key Actions:

• Establish strict cybersecurity standards for all third-party vendors and suppliers.
• Implement real-time monitoring and secure communication channels to ensure visibility across the entire supply chain.
• Conduct regular audits of third-party security practices to prevent vulnerabilities from spreading​.

Securing the supply chain ensures manufacturers can maintain operational continuity and protect their systems from being compromised by vulnerabilities in partner networks.

4. Leveraging AI and Machine Learning for Threat Detection

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are powerful tools that can be used to enhance cybersecurity in manufacturing. These technologies analyze vast amounts of data to detect anomalies and patterns that could indicate potential cyber threats. With the increase in IoT devices and connected systems on the factory floor, AI can help identify suspicious behavior in real time, allowing manufacturers to respond to threats before they escalate​.

Key Actions:

• Implement AI-driven threat detection systems to monitor network traffic and identify unusual patterns that could indicate a cyberattack.
• Use machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of threat detection over time by analyzing historical data and predicting potential vulnerabilities​.

By incorporating AI into cybersecurity strategies, manufacturers can adopt a proactive stance, identifying potential attacks early and significantly reducing response times.

5. Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments

Cybersecurity in manufacturing is not a one-time task; it requires ongoing effort to identify and mitigate risks. Conducting regular security audits and vulnerability assessments is crucial for detecting potential weaknesses in systems, networks, and devices. These assessments should be aligned with recognized cybersecurity standards such as ISO/IEC 27002 or NIST to ensure best practices are followed​.

Key Actions:

• Schedule regular cybersecurity audits and vulnerability scans across all IT and OT environments.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and adapt security measures based on the results of these assessments.
• Develop a plan to address identified vulnerabilities, ensuring that patches and updates are applied promptly​.

Routine audits help manufacturers stay ahead of evolving threats and ensure that their systems remain secure against new vulnerabilities.

6. Developing a Comprehensive Incident Response Plan

When a cyberattack occurs, the speed and effectiveness of the response can determine the extent of the damage. A comprehensive incident response plan enables manufacturers to react quickly to minimize operational disruption and data loss. The plan should outline roles and responsibilities, communication workflows, and specific actions for different types of attacks​.

Key Actions:

• Create a detailed incident response plan tailored to your manufacturing processes, identifying key stakeholders and responsibilities.
• Conduct regular simulations and training exercises to ensure employees are prepared to respond to a cybersecurity incident.
• Establish clear reporting protocols for employees to quickly escalate issues when potential threats are detected​.

A well-defined incident response plan not only helps mitigate the impact of a cyberattack but also enables manufacturers to resume operations more quickly.

7. Employee Training and Cybersecurity Awareness

Human error remains one of the most significant causes of cybersecurity breaches. Phishing scams, weak passwords, and unsafe browsing habits are common vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit. Therefore, investing in continuous employee training programs is essential to building a cybersecurity-conscious workforce​.

Key Actions:

• Implement regular cybersecurity awareness training to educate employees on current threats, such as phishing and ransomware.
• Introduce policies for secure password management and safe usage of company systems.
• Run simulated phishing tests to assess the preparedness of employees and reinforce training​.

By ensuring that employees are well-trained and aware of the latest cybersecurity risks, manufacturers can significantly reduce the chances of human error leading to a costly breach.

As cyber threats evolve and manufacturing technologies advance, safeguarding systems against attacks becomes increasingly complex. By adopting the seven best practices outlined above—such as Zero Trust architecture, encryption, AI-driven threat detection, and robust incident response plans—manufacturers can strengthen their cybersecurity posture and reduce the likelihood of devastating breaches.