The Changing IT Security Landscape: What Manufacturing Leaders Should Know

In today’s environment, the conversation around security has shifted. It’s not just about protecting systems or preventing breaches. It’s about ensuring your organization can continue to operate, fulfill orders, and maintain customer trust even when threats are increasing and evolving.

In a recent webinar, IT security expert Pete Amborn shared insights into how the landscape is changing and what manufacturing decision-makers should be focused on right now.

VIEW NOW:  The Changing IT Security Landscape Recorded Webinar (29:21)

Manufacturing Is Now a Primary Target for Cybercriminals

Manufacturers are no longer a secondary focus for cybercriminals.  They are among the most targeted industries today.

This shift is largely driven by the realities of manufacturing operations. Attackers understand that disruption creates immediate pressure, and manufacturing environments cannot afford extended downtime.

Several factors make manufacturers especially vulnerable:

• Operational dependency on uptime makes downtime extremely costly
• Connected systems and smart technologies increase points of entry
• Complex supply chains introduce risk beyond internal IT systems

Even a short disruption can impact production schedules, delay shipments, and strain customer relationships. That combination makes manufacturing an ideal target for attackers looking for leverage.

The Threat Landscape Has Evolved

One of the most important takeaways from the webinar is that cyber threats today are fundamentally different than they were just a few years ago.

Ransomware Is Focused on Disruption

Ransomware attacks have shifted from data theft to operational impact. Instead of simply encrypting files, attackers now aim to stop production entirely. For manufacturers, this can mean:

• Production lines halted unexpectedly
• ERP or financial systems locked
• Shipping and logistics delayed
• Extended recovery timelines

The goal is simple: create urgency and force quick decisions.

Phishing Attacks Are More Convincing

Email-based attacks continue to be one of the most common entry points, but they’ve become significantly more sophisticated. Today’s phishing attempts often:

• Mimic vendors or customers
• Include realistic invoices or payment requests
• Create urgency tied to operations or finance

This creates real risk, especially for teams managing:

• Accounts payable
• Vendor communications
• Financial approvals

What used to be easy to spot now often looks legitimate.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Are Expanding

Manufacturing organizations rely heavily on external partners, and attackers are increasingly targeting those relationships. This creates a layered risk environment:

• A compromised vendor can become an entry point
• Security gaps may exist outside your organization
• One breach can ripple across multiple partners

Security is no longer confined to your internal systems it extends across your entire ecosystem.

Why Traditional IT Security Models Fall Short

Many manufacturing companies still rely on legacy security models built around a defined network perimeter.

However, that model no longer reflects reality. Today’s environments include:

• Remote access and hybrid work
• Cloud-based systems and applications
• Connected operational technology (OT)
• Third-party integrations

As a result, the idea of a secure “internal network” is becoming outdated.

Instead of assuming safety inside your network, organizations must operate with a new mindset.

A More Effective Approach: Layered Security

Rather than relying on a single tool or solution, modern security requires multiple layers working together. A layered approach ensures that if one control fails, others are in place to reduce risk and limit impact.

Here are the core elements manufacturing leaders should consider:

Identity and Access Controls

Controlling access is one of the most important and often most overlooked security measures.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity beyond just a password. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, particularly for critical systems.

This is especially important for:

• Remote users
• Financial systems
• Administrative access

Endpoint Protection and Monitoring

Every connected device represents a potential entry point for attackers. This includes not only laptops and servers, but also systems connected to your production environment. Modern tools monitor behavior in real time, looking for abnormal activity and stopping threats before they spread.

For manufacturers, this means protecting:

• Office environments
• ERP and financial platforms
• Connected shop-floor systems

Backup and Disaster Recovery

When an incident occurs, recovery becomes the priority. Without reliable backups, organizations may face:

• Extended downtime
• Data loss
• Costly recovery efforts

Strong backup strategies ensure that systems can be restored quickly and operations can resume with minimal disruption. Just as importantly, those backups must be tested regularly not just assumed to work.

Employee Awareness and Training

People remain one of the most common entry points for cyber threats.

Employees may unintentionally:

• Click malicious links
• Share sensitive information
• Approve fraudulent requests

Training helps employees recognize these threats and respond appropriately. When done well, it transforms your workforce into a proactive line of defense rather than a vulnerability.

Continuous Monitoring and Response

Cybersecurity is not a one-time initiative it’s an ongoing process. Organizations need to continuously monitor their systems and have clear response plans in place. The ability to quickly detect and respond to suspicious activity often determines whether an incident remains contained or escalates into a major disruption.

The Real Cost of a Cyber Incident

For manufacturing organizations, the impact of a cyberattack goes far beyond IT.

The true cost often includes:

• Production downtime that immediately affects revenue
• Missed delivery commitments that strain customer relationships
• Supply chain disruption that impacts partners and vendors
• Reputational damage that takes years to rebuild

In many cases, the financial impact is driven not by the attack itself, but by the operational disruption that follows.

A Practical Starting Point: Security Assessments

During the webinar, one attendee asked a simple but important question:

“If we’re interested in a free security assessment, how long does it actually take?”

Pete’s answer emphasized practicality and efficiency.

For most organizations:

• A basic assessment can often be completed in about one day
• On-site time may be minimal sometimes around an hour
• Additional time is used for analysis and report development

For larger or more complex environments:

• Assessments may take a couple of days
• Scope may expand depending on locations and systems

The goal is not to create a lengthy audit it’s to provide clear, actionable insight into risk.

In most cases, organizations receive:

• A detailed report
• A scheduled review of findings
• Recommendations for next steps

What Manufacturing Leaders Should Do Next

Cybersecurity can feel overwhelming, but progress starts with clarity. Here’s how to begin:

Start with Visibility

Understand where you stand today by identifying:

• Critical systems and dependencies
• Potential vulnerabilities
• Recovery capabilities

Prioritize High-Impact Risks

Focus on the biggest gaps first, such as:

• Missing or weak MFA
• Outdated systems
• Insufficient backup strategies
• Limited monitoring

Align Security with Business Goals

Security decisions should support:

• Operational continuity
• Financial performance
• Customer satisfaction

This requires collaboration across IT, finance, and operations.

Take a Proactive Approach

The strongest organizations are not reactive they are prepared.

This includes:

• Regular security assessments
• Continuous monitoring
• Ongoing employee training

Ready to Evaluate Your Security Posture?

If you’re unsure where your organization stands, a security assessment is a practical place to start.

It can provide:

• Clear visibility into your risk level
• Identification of key vulnerabilities
• Actionable next steps

Start with a conversation.
Connect with DWD’s Network team to schedule a free Network Health & Security review and take a proactive step toward protecting your operations.