The Target on Your Back: Cybersecurity and Privacy in a Digital Manufacturing World
Top Takeaways
Manufacturing is the hardest hit sector when it comes to cyber incidents
The average cost of a breach is $10.2 million and the disruption to operations up and down the value chain can take longer to recover than most industries. In terms of why, the attack surface is large and growing; every level of the technology stack can be vulnerable.
Operate with vulnerability in mind
There is consensus that it’s impossible — or nearly so — to design a system that cannot be compromised. This is in no small part due to the fundamental imbalance in cybersecurity. Defense is defending everything, whereas offense is finding just one vulnerability to attack. There is no 100% solution and threat actors are always one step ahead. One out of six breaches is AI-enabled or partially AI-enabled. However, companies that utilize AI can see a 20% reduction in the total cost to respond to a cyber event.
Plan ahead, and plan on a clear day
Lower the stress level and make better and more effective decisions when an incident occurs. This includes getting you vendors in line — digital forensics, incident response, PR, attorneys. Contracting takes longer that you think, and cybersecurity companies are busy — many don’t even have the bandwidth to handle an incident unless there’s a retainer already in place.
Have a playbook and the right toolset
Make sure you have the skills, capabilities, and funds to implement the chosen framework. It’s critical to know who your experts are ahead of time. Make sure they are fully empowered to have whatever resources they need. You also need to know your data — what data is being stored and accessed, and how this works up and down the supply chain.
Go Deeper
Manufacturing is the hardest hit sector when it comes to cyber incidents
Candid Conversation: Why Manufactures Are Targets and How to Prepare Now for a Cyber Incident
Operate with vulnerability in mind
Tech Isn’t Necessarily the Weakest Link — People Might Be
How AI Agents Complicate Cyber Defense and Attack Surface Risks
Cybersecurity Evolution: From IT Niche to Enterprise Core
Plan ahead, and plan on a clear day
A Shift For the Better: Cybersecurity Gets Board-Level Backing and Resources
Have a playbook and the right toolset
Cybersecurity as Risk Ranking: Likelihood, Consequence, and Mitigation
Heat Maps and Buy-In: How the C-Suite Drives Cybersecurity Priorities
