Top 5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Manufacturers Make
Intro
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a critical risk to your entire business. A single breach can halt production, leak sensitive data, or even force you to pay a crippling ransom. From production lines to connected devices, manufacturers are prime targets for cyberattacks. Yet many small businesses continue to treat security as an afterthought—until it’s too late.
So, what are the most common security oversights in manufacturing? And how can you avoid catastrophic consequences?
1. Ignoring Legacy Systems as a Security Risk
The Problem:
Old machines running unsupported software or outdated firmware are still everywhere on shop floors. They're often connected to networks but never updated—perfect targets for attackers.
The Impact:
Unpatched vulnerabilities open the door to ransomware, data theft, and production downtime. These systems become the weak link in your entire network, allowing hackers to gain access to critical devices and move laterally through your network, potentially compromising other systems and data across your business.
The Solution:
Isolate legacy systems with proper network segmentation. Apply patches if possible. If not, wrap them with monitoring tools and access controls to reduce exposure. Whenever feasible, consider upgrading to newer, more secure solutions that can better integrate with your current systems and minimize long-term risks.
2. Skipping Updates Because “It Still Works”
The Problem:
In manufacturing companies, if a system is running, it’s often left alone. Updates are skipped—whether for Windows, machine control software, or routers—because downtime is feared and there’s no backup plan in place. But with around 25-30% of Windows updates dedicated to fixing security vulnerabilities, ignoring these patches can leave your systems exposed to serious risks.
The Impact:
Unpatched systems become soft targets for automated attacks. Even old vulnerabilities get exploited because attackers know small businesses rarely update anything unless it breaks.
The Solution:
Set a monthly time to install updates—OS, software, firmware, everything. Schedule it outside production hours if needed. Where possible, enable automatic updates to ensure critical patches are applied without delay. If a system can’t be updated, isolate it. “If it ain’t broke” is not a security strategy.
3. Weak Authentication and Access Control
The Problem:
Default or no passwords, shared logins, and generic usernames like “production” or “finance” are still rampant in manufacturing systems. These broad, non-specific credentials give anyone access to critical systems, with no way to trace who is doing what.
The Impact:
Anyone with physical access—or a stolen password—can access sensitive systems. Without unique identifiers, there’s no accountability, and it’s nearly impossible to track or audit actions.
The Solution:
Implement MFA for all admin accounts and high-privilege users, where possible, to add an extra layer of security. Use unique logins for each user to ensure accountability and prevent the use of generic usernames like “production” or “finance.”
4. No Backups or Unverified Backups
The Problem:
Many manufacturers either don’t back up critical systems at all or assume their backups are working—without ever testing them. Backups are often done manually, stored in unsafe locations, or aren’t automated, making them unreliable in case of an emergency.
The Impact:
Without proper backups, if data is lost due to an attack, system failure, or accidental deletion, recovery becomes impossible. This can lead to costly downtime, lost production, and permanent data loss. Additionally, losing critical data can result in the loss of traceability, which may breach industry regulations, such as those in aerospace or other highly regulated sectors, potentially leading to compliance issues and legal penalties.
The Solution:
Implement automated, regular backups stored securely offsite or in the cloud. Ensure backups are tested regularly to verify they can be restored when needed. Relying on untested or inconsistent backups is a gamble that can bring your operations to a halt.
5. Treating Security as Just an IT Problem
The Problem:
Cybersecurity is often treated as an IT-only concern, with no real involvement or accountability from production, engineering, or leadership—leaving critical operations exposed and unprotected.
The Impact:
When cybersecurity is siloed, critical systems on the shop floor are left out of risk assessments, security policies, and response plans. Threats go unnoticed, vulnerabilities stay unpatched, and no one takes ownership when something goes wrong—resulting in slower response times, higher risk of breaches, and greater operational disruption.
The Solution:
Make cybersecurity a shared responsibility across the business. Involve production, engineering, and leadership in security planning and awareness. Ensure all departments understand their role in protecting systems and data. Cyber risks should be treated like any other operational risk—with clear ownership and accountability.
What to Do Instead: Secure Manufacturing by Design
Manufacturers need to move from bolt-on security to built-in protection. That means:
✅ Isolate solutions that cannot be patched and look for replacement solutions
✅ Regular updating of systems.
✅ Strong identity and access controls.
✅ Test and monitor system backups.
✅ A culture where security is part of operations, not an afterthought.
Conclusion
Manufacturing is now digital—and that makes it a target. The same connected systems that drive efficiency also open the door to cyber threats. Ignoring security is no longer an option. It must be treated as core infrastructure—built in from the ground up, owned across the business, and maintained with the same urgency as any critical system on the shop floor.
TL;DR
Legacy Machines – Outdated systems are open doors to attackers.
Patch Software – A large percentage of updates address security vulnerabilities.
Weak Access Control – Shared logins = zero accountability.
System Backups – Backups need to be consistent and tested.
Siloed Security – Cybersecurity isn't just an IT job anymore.
Modern Solution – Treat cybersecurity like safety: constant, proactive, and everyone’s job. If you're unsure where your biggest gaps are, let’s talk. We can help you assess your risks and secure your operations—before it’s too late.
