SYSTEM INTRUSION REMAINS A MAJOR CYBERSECURITY THREAT FOR MANUFACTURERS

As manufacturing becomes more interconnected, it becomes increasingly vulnerable to crippling cyber-attacks that can disrupt production lines or compromise sensitive data. In an interview with Nisha Shukla, Anshuman Sharma, Director of VTRAC Cybersecurity Consulting Services at Verizon Business, shared interesting findings from their recently unveiled survey: The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2024. He also delves into recommended standards and frameworks for managing cybersecurity and how businesses can protect themselves against cybersecurity threats in 2024.

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What are the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by manufacturing companies compared to other industries? How do legacy systems in manufacturing plants affect cybersecurity strategies?

Manufacturing companies operate in a dynamic landscape where the intersection of technology and production processes presents unique cybersecurity challenges. The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) creates a complex attack landscape which exposes both IT data and critical industrial processes to cyber threats. Additionally, manufacturing companies face the challenge of securing complex supply chains, which creates a web of vulnerabilities, making it difficult to secure interconnected networks.

Legacy systems further complicate things. Manufacturers build new systems on top of legacy systems, and this may result in outdated protection measures. These systems often lack robust security features, making them especially vulnerable to cyberattacks. Their limited visibility and control make it hard to implement modern security tools. Upgrading these systems can be expensive and disruptive to production. However, failing to address security vulnerabilities in legacy systems leaves manufacturers exposed to a wide range of cyberattacks that can disrupt operations, steal intellectual property, or even cause physical harm.

According to The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2024, system intrusion continues to hold the top spot in the manufacturing sector when it comes to cybersecurity breach. What other patterns did you observe in the report, and how manufacturers can avert such breaches in advance?

The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2024 confirms that system intrusion remains a major cybersecurity threat for manufacturers. The report also highlights a concerning 83 per cent of breaches in the manufacturing sector stem from three main attack patterns:

• System intrusion: