Mission Secure Blog Cyber Threats to Manufacturing Industry

Threats to Physical Systems Continue to Increase in Sophistication and Volume The manufacturing sector continues to be the most active battleground between threat actors and operational technology (OT) security teams. According to IBM’s 2024 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index report, "Manufacturing was once again the topattacked industry in 2023 for the third year in a row.” The report cyber attacks against manufacturers represent more than the attacks against the energy, healthcare, and transportation sectors combined. Ransomware attacks against manufacturers continue to make headlines, including recent high-profile attacks against Clorox, Bridgestone, and Dole Foods. Even when ransomware attacks target a manufacturer's IT systems, the effects often spread to production systems, either by proliferating across network boundaries or by forcing operators to shut down physical systems as a precautionary measure. The cost of these OT shutdowns often far exceeds the cost of the ransom a manufacturer pays to regain access to its IT assets. As serious as the threat of ransomware may be, direct attacks against OT systems represent an even bigger risk. By manipulating industrial processes, attackers can damage equipment, harm the environment, and put human lives at risk. While manufacturing may not receive the same level of regulatory attention as other critical sectors like energy, water, and transportation, recent history shows that the sector remains a primary focus for attackers.