Manufacturers Prioritize Cyber Resilience Amid Rising Threats

Manufacturing Sector Intensifies Cyber Resilience Amid Rising Threats

Growing Threat Landscape in Manufacturing

New research from LevelBlue reveals manufacturing organizations face increasing cybersecurity challenges. The 2025 Spotlight Report highlights rising concerns about AI-powered attacks, deepfakes, and synthetic identity threats. However, most manufacturers remain unprepared, with only 32% of executives feeling equipped for AI-powered threats and just 30% prepared for deepfake attacks.

Critical Security Gaps Identified

The report identifies significant vulnerabilities across the manufacturing sector. Only 37% of executives report preparedness for DDoS attacks, while 54% of organizations acknowledge limited visibility into their software supply chains. Data security and privacy emerge as the most pressing challenges, complicating risk management efforts across global operations.

Strategic Shift Toward Cyber Resilience

Manufacturers are responding by integrating cybersecurity into core business strategy. Sixty-five percent of organizations now measure leadership roles against cybersecurity KPIs, while 70% are educating employees about social engineering tactics. This cultural shift represents a fundamental change in how manufacturers approach security governance and risk management.

Executive Perspective on Strategic Imperative

“Cyber resilience is no longer optional—it’s becoming a strategic imperative for manufacturers,” stated LevelBlue Chief Security & Trust Officer Kory Daniels. “While increased alignment between cybersecurity and business goals is encouraging, critical gaps remain. Executive alignment and proactive approaches are essential against evolving threats.”

Investment Priorities for Enhanced Protection

Manufacturers are directing resources toward specific resilience capabilities. Seventy-one percent are investing in machine learning for pattern matching, while 69% are implementing cyber resilience processes across their businesses. Additional priorities include generative AI defenses (64%), application security (67%), and software supply chain security (63%).

Budget Allocation and Innovation Enablement

The research shows positive trends in cybersecurity budgeting. Fifty-five percent of manufacturers now allocate cybersecurity budgets at the outset of new initiatives rather than as afterthoughts. Furthermore, 69% report that adaptive cybersecurity approaches enable greater innovation risk-taking, demonstrating security’s role as business enabler.

Industry Analysis: The Convergence of IT and OT Security

Manufacturing faces unique challenges bridging information technology and operational technology security. As production environments become more connected, the attack surface expands dramatically. Successful manufacturers are treating cyber resilience as integral to operational continuity rather than as standalone IT function.

Practical Recommendations for Manufacturers

LevelBlue recommends four key actions: align cyber-resilience with executive business decisions, encourage threat reporting through accessible channels, engage external security providers, and verify supplier cybersecurity credentials. These steps help build comprehensive defense-in-depth strategies for modern manufacturing environments.

Application Scenario: Supply Chain Security

Manufacturers implementing enhanced software supply chain security typically reduce vulnerability exposure by 40-60%. By verifying supplier credentials and implementing application security controls, organizations can prevent costly production disruptions from third-party vulnerabilities while maintaining operational continuity.

FAQ

What are the most concerning emerging threats?
AI-powered attacks, deepfakes, and synthetic identity attacks represent the fastest-growing concerns for manufacturing security teams.

How prepared are manufacturers for these threats?
Less than one-third feel adequately prepared for AI-powered threats or deepfake attacks, indicating significant readiness gaps.

What percentage tie security to business strategy?
Sixty-five percent now measure leadership against cybersecurity KPIs, showing strong business alignment.

Where are manufacturers investing for protection?
Key areas include machine learning pattern matching, application security, and software supply chain protection.

How does cybersecurity enable innovation?
Sixty-nine percent report that adaptive security approaches allow greater innovation risk-taking by providing safety nets.