Ransomware has emerged as one of the most disruptive cyber
threats currently facing the manufacturing sector. Unlike most other
industries, manufacturers rely heavily on continuous operations, tightly
coordinated supply chains and just-in-time production. A ransomware attack that
locks critical systems or halts production lines can cause financial losses,
damage to customer relationships and even long-term reputational harm.
Fact: According to cybersecurity firm Dragos, ransomware-related
cyberattacks on manufacturers accounted for 65% of all incidents recorded by
industrial entities worldwide in the second quarter of 2025. Let's take a
closer look at seven steps that can better protect your manufacturing company
against ransomware attacks.
Defining ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that, when introduced into your
computer system, encrypts your company's data, rendering any files — and the
systems that rely on them — unusable. The cybercriminals then demand a ransom
payment in exchange for the decryption key needed to unlock your files.
Each year ransomware techniques are becoming more sophisticated.
In past years, cybercriminals would simply lock you out of your system and stop
there. Today, however, it's increasingly common for them to engage in a form of
"double extortion." That is, in addition to encrypting your data, they also
steal sensitive information (such as intellectual property or customer
information) and threaten to release it if you fail to pay the ransom.
There's even a threat of "triple extortion," and manufacturers
are especially susceptible. This third layer of extortion targets a company's
operational technology, such as smart manufacturing equipment that's connected
to the internet and controlled by computers or handheld devices. Cybercriminals
may threaten to launch a distributed denial of service attack. This could
potentially shut down your operations if you refuse to pay the ransom.
Manufacturers can be especially
vulnerable
Cybercriminals target manufacturers for several reasons. For
example, manufacturers are notoriously intolerant of downtime. So they may be
highly incentivized to pay the ransom, given the steep cost of unplanned
interruptions. Also, when it comes to cybersecurity, the manufacturing industry
generally isn't subject to the same level of regulation as banking, financial
services and health care.
In addition, manufacturers are increasingly using
internet-connected equipment and devices, providing more potential points of
entry for attacks. And they tend to rely on (often unsupported) legacy systems.
These older systems may not have received the latest updates and security
patches, rendering them more vulnerable to attacks.
7 action steps
To help protect your manufacturing company against ransomware
and other cyberattacks, consider the following seven best practices:
1. Conduct a thorough cybersecurity
assessment. Take inventory of your company's hardware, software, data and
internet connections to identify any vulnerabilities. Look for potential entry
points that cyberattackers can exploit to penetrate your system.
2. Review your data backup policies and
procedures. Having a recent backup of your files and systems will ensure
that you can resume operations as quickly as possible if your data is locked or
destroyed by cybercriminals. Backups should be encrypted, stored off-site and
segregated from the systems being backed up. Segregating backups is critical
because it will help prevent a single breach from compromising both your active
data and the backups you rely on to recover from an attack.
3. Install updates. Keep
all your computers and mobile devices current with the latest updates and
security patches.
4. Educate workers. Be
sure your employees and contractors know the dangers of ransomware and how to
recognize phishing emails and other threats. Require all personnel to use
strong passwords, multifactor authentication and other techniques to prevent
unauthorized access. In addition, prohibit the use of workers' personal devices
on your network.
5. Use software tools that monitor for
and prevent intrusions. Many email filtering
programs can spot malicious messages and prevent them from reaching their
targets.
6. Evaluate potential third-party risks. If
any vendors or suppliers have access to your systems, conduct due diligence to
ensure they've implemented effective controls to prevent unauthorized access.
7. Administer periodic vulnerability
assessments and penetration tests. Scan for security flaws and
weaknesses. Also gauge the effectiveness of your company's cybersecurity
systems, policies and practices.
A threat not to be taken lightly
In today's environment, ransomware isn't just an IT problem —
it's a business continuity and supply chain risk that manufacturers can't
afford to ignore. The financial, operational and reputational fallout from even
a single incident can be devastating, especially in an industry where uptime is
critical.
By proactively investing in cybersecurity measures,
strengthening employee awareness and building robust recovery plans,
manufacturers can better safeguard their operations and reassure customers that
they're prepared for evolving cyberthreats. We can help you evaluate the
financial impact of potential disruptions and provide strategies to protect
your bottom line.