The production and manufacturing sector is increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, according to the report "Securing Manufacturing's Digital Future" by security company KnowBe4. The study attributes this heightened risk to the growing digitalisation of manufacturing, particularly in the integration of operational technology, information technology, and complex supply chains.
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Javvad Malik, cybersecurity expert at KnowBe4, stated, "With so much focus on physical security and production line reliability, cyber threats can sometimes slip under the radar. But many of today's most devastating security breaches don't start with a technical glitch – they start with a human error."
Confirmed data breaches in the manufacturing industry rose by 89.2% from 2023 to 2024, with ransomware accounting for 47% of all incidents. European manufacturers face significant threats from groups such as LockBit, PlayCrypt, and 8Base.
The report emphasises the role of training and awareness in mitigating risk. Companies that implemented targeted security awareness programmes reduced employees' susceptibility to phishing from 31.8% to 3.6% within a year, an 89% decrease.
As manufacturing becomes more digitally interconnected, the report warns that human error remains the weakest link, highlighting the critical need for ongoing cybersecurity education and robust digital protection strategies.
Source: www.wood-supply.dk
