Cybersecurity for Manufacturing: What You Need to Know

Disclaimer: This blog was originally published on October 19, 2022 and has since been updated for accuracy and clarity. 

Manufacturers are a top ransomware target, and even short downtime can stall production, miss shipments, and hit revenue. The good news is you can reduce risk fast by following proven frameworks like NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and meeting the compliance rules that apply to your supply chain. 

The manufacturing sector makes up 11% of the country's GDP. They cement the United States' place as the second-largest manufacturer in the world. 

But this success makes you a target. Hackers want your intellectual property. They want access to your supply chain. They want to disrupt your operations for ransom. 

Every connected device on your factory floor is a potential entry point. Every supplier in your network creates additional risk. Every day without proper security increases your chances of a devastating breach. 

Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) with over 20 years of experience protecting manufacturing companies. We specialize in securing both IT systems and operational technology for small and mid-sized manufacturers. 

In this article, you'll learn: 

• What is Basic Cybersecurity for Manufacturers?  
• What Cybersecurity Laws Should Manufacturers Know?  
• What are Industry Resources for Cybersecurity? 

By the end of this article, you'll know how you can start protecting your manufacturing company's cybersecurity.   

Basic Cybersecurity for Manufacturers  

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Small to Medium Manufacturers (SMMs) are at the highest risk of cybercrime. Luckily, manufacturing businesses can lessen their breach risk by following different frameworks and regulations.   

NIST Cybersecurity Framework  

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a fundamental guideline for cybersecurity. The latest version of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework organizes cybersecurity into six core functions: 

1. Govern

This is where leadership sets the tone. In the Govern function, manufacturers decide how much risk they are willing to accept, who is responsible for what, and how cybersecurity fits into their wider business and supply chain strategy. 

Key questions for leaders: 

• What are our most important operations and data to protect? 
• Who owns cybersecurity decisions across IT, OT, and the plant floor? 
• How do we hold vendors and suppliers accountable for cybersecurity? 
• What policies and standards do we expect every site to follow?  

Good governance makes the other five functions more effective. It connects cybersecurity to production, safety, quality, and customer expectations. 

2. Identify

Manufacturers need a complete understanding of the systems already implemented in the business. It goes beyond knowing the IT equipment in your network and evaluates the entire digital landscape through questions like:   

• Who uses what device?   
• What are the typical user behaviors?   
• What programs commonly interact with each other?   

Many SMBs and SMMs conduct network assessments to get a complete picture.    

3. Protect  

SMMs need to guard their data like they guard their product secrets. Establish protocols to protect your network using endpoint security, firewalls, and updated security systems.  

Now's the time to ask questions like:   

• What safeguards will you use?  
• Who is allowed into your system?   
• How do you maintain your level of security?   
• Are your employees aware of ways to keep the data safe?  

Remember that the three components of a security network are critical in this step, as each element needs to be adequately protected.  

4. Detect 

It's essential to identify what tools you'll use to detect malware if your network is breached; after all, every system has a chance of getting hacked, even if you follow all the cybersecurity guidelines. It's impossible to completely mitigate the risk in the cyber environment we have now.   

5. Respond  

Decide how your IT department will react during a real-time attack. If a threat gets through your system, how are you going to respond? What tools do you have to minimize the damage they can cause?   

6. Recover 

It's a nightmare to lose your data. But you can do your best for your business by deciding how to deal with a complete business compromise and recover critical information.   

Manufacturers of all sizes can apply the NIST framework. While there are more technical requirements in its implementation, having the proper perspective is the start of keeping your IT infrastructure safe.   

NIST Privacy Framework  

The privacy framework provides guidelines for protecting, collecting, and storing user data. If you interact with suppliers or are a creator of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, the privacy framework is an important tool.   

It's similar to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework but has the following steps:   

1. Identify

In Identify, organizations build a clear picture of where and how personal data is processed. The goal is to understand your environment well enough to see where privacy risks exist so you can prioritize what to fix or improve. 

2. Govern

Govern focuses on leadership, policies, and decision-making around privacy. Good governance makes privacy part of your broader risk management strategy, not just a compliance checkbox. 

3. Control

In Control, the organization puts practical controls in place to manage how data is handled throughout its lifecycle. The idea is to manage data with enough detail and discipline that privacy risks are reduced both for the organization and for the people whose data you hold. 

4. Communicate

Communicate is where many organizations fall short. This Function focuses on clear, honest communication with individuals about data practices. For manufacturers, this might show up in supplier portals, connected product interfaces, employee systems, or customer-facing tools. The goal is to support informed decisions, not just hide disclosures in fine print. 

5. Protect

Finally, Protect is about applying safeguards to reduce privacy incidents, especially those that overlap with cybersecurity risk. Protect connects privacy and cybersecurity by recognizing that a breach of confidentiality can also be a serious privacy event. 

The main difference between the two frameworks, beyond the clear difference in the type of data protected, is the emphasis on communication with users. The privacy framework requires an explanation of the data processing a user's information will undergo.   

SMMs are encouraged to implement the privacy framework when collecting user and customer information.  

How Can You Improve Factory Floor Cybersecurity? 

Multiple attack points exist in today's factor floor that didn't exist in previous years. Manufacturers need to adapt and evaluate the following parts of a factory floor:   

1. Computers  

They should have an automatic session lock after a period of inactivity.   

2. Removable Media  

Removable media refers to devices like thumb drives and external hard drives. They're easily lost or stolen and should not store any sensitive information. Only removable media dedicated to business purposes should be allowed on the factory floor.   

3. Hard copies  

Printed security protocols can serve as a gateway into your IT infrastructure. Keep all hard copies in a dry and secure location.   

4.  Training  

Ensure your staff knows the most common cybersecurity threats and stay alert when using company devices. They should also know how to respond to any cyber threats that come their way.   

 5. Mobile Devices

Mobile devices are easy to compromise and can damage your IT security if your employees can connect to your internal network through their phones. Ensure your staff regularly install security updates, keep complex PINs, and avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.   

Read: Mobile Device Management: What Is MDM and Who Needs It? 

6.  Network

Your potential vulnerabilities grow as the factory floor makes more room for automation. Any device that has an IP address and an internet connection is a door hackers can bust open if you don't keep it protected.   

7. Access  

Limit access to your factory floor to authorized staff. Any visitors should be accompanied.   

Cybersecurity Laws Manufacturers Should Know  

The United States requires manufacturers to follow strict laws and regulations from multiple entities, depending on their products. Here are some of the most common rules and guidelines manufacturers should follow.  

• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): for manufacturers in the defense supply chain   
• The International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR," 22 CFR 120-130): for manufacturers that export and temporarily import defense products and services  
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): for manufacturers that use credit card data for transactions   
• Sarbanes-Oxley (Pub L. 107-204): for publicly traded manufacturers   
• State privacy laws: for manufacturers in specific states. 
• The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (15 USC §6501 et seq.): for manufacturers collecting information about minors  
• The Federal Trade Commission Act (15 USC § 41 et seq.): for all manufacturers' awareness regarding the FTC's ability to sanction organizations failing to follow cybersecurity & privacy best practices  
• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): for manufacturers using, collecting, and transmitting data from EU residents  

If you are a US government manufacturing supplier, you must follow the minimum cybersecurity standards set by FAR 52.204.21. 

Ready to begin improving your company's cybersecurity?  

Ransomware groups keep focusing on manufacturing because production disruption creates pressure. Following NIST CSF, tightening factory floor controls, and meeting supply chain rules like FAR and CMMC will reduce risk and keep lines running. 

But that's easier said than done. 

Intelligent Technical Solutions has over 20 years of experience protecting manufacturing companies. We understand the unique challenges of securing both IT systems and factory floor operations. We help manufacturers implement NIST frameworks, achieve compliance, and maintain security without disrupting production. 

Schedule a free security assessment today. We'll evaluate your current security posture, identify critical vulnerabilities, and create a practical roadmap for protecting your manufacturing business. 

More Resources: 

• How ITS Cybersecurity Can Help Your Growing Business 
• Webinar: Secure Your Manufacturing Operations: Cybersecurity Insights & Strategies 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1: What is the biggest cybersecurity risk for manufacturers today? 

A: Ransomware is the top risk because it can halt production and spread through connected IT and OT systems. 

Q2: Do small and midsize manufacturers really need a formal cybersecurity framework? 

A: Yes. NIST notes small and midsize manufacturers are frequent targets, and CSF gives a practical way to reduce risk without overcomplicating security. 

 Q3: When does CMMC become mandatory for manufacturers in the defense supply chain? 

A: CMMC requirements started rolling into DoD contracts on November 10, 2025, and will phase in over the next three years, depending on contract level.  

Q4: What factory floor security improvement reduces risk fastest? 

A: Segmenting OT from office IT and controlling remote access for vendors quickly cuts off common attack paths.  

Q5: What should a manufacturer do first if they suspect a breach? 

A: Isolate affected systems, notify your response lead, and activate your incident plan so you can contain the threat before it spreads.