Many manufacturers have embarked on ambitious digital transformations or plan to do so soon. Although the results can make facilities run smoother and increase people’s productivity, tech implementations can also risk manufacturing professionals’ valuable data. What are some of the biggest threats, and how can people combat them?
1. Industry Viewed as a Lucrative Target
Cybersecurity analysts repeatedly warn that the manufacturing industry has many inherent characteristics that make it an appealing option for those planning data-compromising attacks. Firstly, manufacturers use numerous connected products, broadening the assortment of assets to target. Additionally, they often store highly sensitive data that would be extremely valuable if leaked to competitors.
Another downside is that some manufacturers have made cybersecurity an afterthought during digital transformations. Unfortunately, that is a potentially dangerous mistake. A 2024 commercial insurance-based study revealed that claims related to cyberattacks in manufacturing happen 1.6 times more frequently and are 1.2 times more severe than in other industries.
The researchers cited several factors contributing to the heightened risk, including parties increasing process digitization without establishing corresponding security measures to protect data and the equipment that stores it. Additionally, digital transformations often happen against a backdrop of legacy systems and bespoke software. The resultant patchwork infrastructure could be easier for cybercriminals to breach, mainly if unpatched vulnerabilities exist.
It is not difficult to identify individual cybersecurity risks, even if people focus on particular equipment. 3D printers are excellent examples. Many manufacturers have begun using them, recognizing that they can easily print spare parts faster than ordering them. Such benefits make parties less dependent on suppliers and shipping partners. Those advantages make manufacturing more adaptable, allowing producers to respond to sudden needs while remaining resilient.
However, hackers have targeted 3D and conventional printers. So far, many such attempts have been instructive exercises from people who have breached the system and merely want to warn the affected parties that their printers have security vulnerabilities. That likely won’t be the case forever, though.
2. Employee Misuse of Generative AI Tools
Generative artificial intelligence tools have undoubtedly changed how people interact with technology. The rise of products such as ChatGPT and Gemini has attracted individuals’ curiosity so much that many have begun experimenting with AI for the first time.
Industrial leaders have also recognized the potential benefits. Designers have used these tools to create strong and lightweight aircraft parts to reduce emissions and save fuel. They can also work more productively because generative AI allows them to enter specific parameters and goals and receive tailored suggestions.
However, generative AI tools have become so rapidly and widely available that many people do not immediately understand the data security risks posed by using these products without caution. Companies often use their own collected data to train future algorithms and improve their AI products. Unfortunately, most casual users likely think that the AI operates within a closed system or never consider what happens to the information they enter. Those problems can adversely affect manufacturing data’s integrity.
A 2025 study found that 8.5% of these AI prompts potentially risked company-related or personally sensitive information. Additionally, 46% of those contained customer data, potentially damaging manufacturers’ reputations.
The best way to avoid these complications is to provide explicit details about how people can and cannot use generative AI at work. For example, perhaps they can only rely on it for certain parts of their roles. Also, since AI tools are changing so fast, employees should receive ongoing training about how to use them responsibly.
3. Phishing
Manufacturers are like those in many other industries in that they frequently communicate with potential and current customers through email. Their inboxes also contain essential and specific emails, such as supplier quotes. Statistics indicate phishing emails launch 90% of cyberattacks, showing that criminals understand these messages are good entry points.
A 2024 report also identified the manufacturing industry as a prime phishing target due in part to its increasing reliance on operational and information technology systems. These components enable digital transformations, but they also encourage hackers to steal the valuable information manufacturing companies hold. Additionally, the researchers said increasing supply chain globalization makes these entities more vulnerable to phishing attacks.
Most manufacturers cannot remain competitive if they refuse to communicate through email. Electronic means allow people to stay in touch despite time zone differences and work culture norms. However, one worrying takeaway from the 2024 study is that cybercriminals have a 40% chance of tricking manufacturing workers into clicking phishing emails.
The research also found a 266% increase in information-stealing malware injected into manufacturing systems and an 88% rise in the average amount of demands after ransomware attacks. These conclusions show how phishing emails are often the mechanisms that allow cybercriminals to do extensive damage and seize valuable information.
However, employee education is another vital preventive measure since workers are usually the first to see phishing emails. If they can recognize and report them, the likelihood of those messages getting the traction hackers want is much lower.
Manufacturers Must Stay Vigilant
The above information emphasizes that people in the manufacturing industry cannot continue assuming cybercriminals will not affect their companies. Leaders who embark on digital transformations must simultaneously invest in safeguards to protect their networks and data. Additionally, increasing worker education initiatives will equip employees to use the internet responsibly despite the growing work-related risks.
The post Manufacturing Digital Transformation Could Lead to Increased Data Security Risks appeared first on Datafloq.
