June 19, 2025
When you think about cybersecurity threats to your manufacturing business, you probably picture a firewall, antivirus software, and some security awareness training. That might be enough to protect your office Wi-Fi or email accounts. But your factory floor? That's a whole different story.
Manufacturers are becoming prime targets for cybercriminals. Not because they're careless, but because their IT and OT (Operational Technology) systems were never designed to work together, let alone defend each other. And when these systems are siloed, outdated, or ignored altogether, it creates a wide-open backdoor into your business.
Let's break down why this is happening, and what cybersecurity steps you can take to combat it.
Why Cybercriminals Are Targeting Manufacturers
Attackers know that operational downtime costs manufacturers big money. They also know that industrial networks are often running on outdated software, unpatched systems, and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" thinking.
Key vulnerabilities include:
Legacy OT systems with no encryption or authentication
Flat network architectures with no segmentation between IT and OT
Remote access tools for vendors that bypass internal controls
Lack of logging or visibility into OT environments
In other words, even if your IT systems are secure, your OT network may still be wide open.
IT vs. OT Security: What's the Difference?
IT Security focuses on protecting digital assets: emails, files, databases, user accounts.
OT Security protects physical processes: machinery, production lines, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), and sensors.
The challenge? Most IT teams don't understand OT environments, and most OT teams aren't trained in cybersecurity. That's how gaps form.
Common Gaps Between IT and OT
No unified security policy across environments
Separate teams managing different systems without coordination
OT systems connected to the internet for vendor support, but with weak or no security
Inconsistent backup and disaster recovery protocols across IT and OT
These aren't just operational inefficiencies, security risks waiting to be exploited.
Real-World Consequences of OT Cybersecurity Failures
Cyberattacks targeting OT systems have caused:
Production halts lasting days or weeks
Compromised safety systems that put workers at risk
Theft of intellectual property and product designs
Costly ransom payments due to lack of offline, immutable backups
This isn't theoretical. From Colonial Pipeline to JBS Foods, manufacturers have been forced to learn the hard way.
What a Unified, Layered Security Strategy Looks Like
The good news? You can protect both IT and OT environments without slowing down production. But it takes a strategic, layered approach:
1. Segment Your Networks
Separate IT and OT traffic to prevent lateral movement
Use firewalls and VLANs to control access points
Apply Zero Trust principles: verify every connection, no assumptions
2. Harden Your OT Systems
Disable unused ports and protocols
Change default credentials
Apply security patches where possible (and create compensating controls where you can't)
3. Centralize Logging and Monitoring
Use a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform to monitor both IT and OT
Set alerts for unusual activity on factory networks
Create incident response plans that include OT-specific actions
4. Control Third-Party Access
Require MFA and secure VPN access for vendors
Limit access to only what's necessary, and log every session
Review and revoke access regularly
5. Train All Teams, Not Just IT
Include OT personnel in cybersecurity training
Conduct tabletop exercises that simulate factory-specific threats
Foster collaboration between IT and OT teams
6. Back Up Everything
Ensure production line configurations and OT system states are backed up
Store backups offline and test them regularly
Why Manufacturers Trust Tech Rage IT
We understand that manufacturing doesn't stop for compliance checklists. Our job is to protect your operations, not slow them down.
We work with your team to bridge the IT/OT divide
We bring cybersecurity expertise that respects uptime and safety
We help design secure network architectures tailored to your environment
We act as your ongoing compliance and risk partner, not just your tech fixers
FAQs: Factory Cybersecurity
Isn't OT supposed to be isolated from the internet? That used to be true. But more OT systems are now connected for maintenance, remote monitoring, or data sharing. If it touches the internet, it needs protection.
What if we can't patch some of our legacy systems? Use compensating controls like firewalls, access restrictions, and monitoring to mitigate risk.
We haven't had a breach yet. Isn't what we have working? Not getting hacked doesn't mean you're secure. It might just mean you haven't been targeted yet—or worse, you have, and you don't know it.
The Bottom Line
Manufacturing networks are no longer off the radar for cybercriminals. In fact, your factory floor might be your weakest link.
Don't wait for a breach to discover that your firewall wasn't enough. It's time to build a security strategy that protects production without grinding it to a halt.
Click Here or give us a call at 407-278-5664 to Book a FREE Discovery Call. Let's build a secure, unified infrastructure that keeps your factory running.
