What Are the Biggest Cybersecurity Risks in Manufacturing Industries?

The rise of ransomware attacks targeting manufacturing industries

Manufacturing has emerged as the primary target for ransomware attacks in 2025, with alarming statistics revealing the severity of this threat. Recent data shows a 47% overall increase in ransomware attacks, with manufacturing bearing the brunt of this surge. In Q2 2025 alone, manufacturing reported 428 incidents, representing approximately 65% of total ransomware activity.

The threat landscape is further characterized by the rising prominence of specific ransomware groups. Qilin ransomware has established itself as a dominant force, accounting for 15% of global ransomware incidents and significantly increasing its presence from 21 incidents in Q1 to 101 incidents in Q2 2025.

Despite a slight decline in manufacturing incidents from Q1 to Q2, the sector continues to be disproportionately targeted. A broader analysis indicates that half of all ransomware attacks in 2025 (2,332 out of 4,701 total incidents) targeted critical infrastructure sectors, with manufacturing consistently topping the list. This persistent targeting of manufacturing reflects attackers' strategic focus on sectors where operational downtime can be exceptionally costly, creating leverage for ransom demands.

Over 10 major cybersecurity incidents in manufacturing sector since 2018

The manufacturing sector has become increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, with more than ten significant incidents documented since 2018. These attacks have targeted both operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) systems, causing substantial financial damage and operational disruption.

One of the most costly attacks occurred in 2023 when Brunswick Corporation, a boating manufacturing firm, suffered a cybersecurity breach that disrupted operations for nine days and resulted in $85 million in losses. This incident demonstrates that threat actors are increasingly focused on accessing valuable data rather than merely disrupting operations.

The median cost of a manufacturing ransomware attack has now reached $500,000, according to Arctic Wolf Incident Response data. This trend reveals the manufacturing sector continues to be the top worldwide target for cybercrime, with attacks becoming more sophisticated as smart factories and interconnected systems become standard.

Security experts emphasize that manufacturers must prepare for evolving regulatory requirements, including Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0, which will impact cybersecurity strategies in the coming years. Stronger segmentation between IT and OT networks has become an essential defensive measure for both manufacturers and their suppliers.

ADX controller devices vulnerable to CVE-2019-19781 critical flaw

Citrix Application Delivery Controller (ADC) and Gateway devices were found vulnerable to a critical security flaw identified as CVE-2019-19781 in late 2019. This severe vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected systems, potentially leading to complete device compromise. Security researchers observed active exploitation attempts in the wild shortly after the vulnerability's disclosure.

The vulnerability's severity comparison with other critical flaws:

Citrix released patches and mitigation advisories for affected products, with security organizations like FireEye and Palo Alto Networks providing detection rules. The vulnerability specifically affects Apache web server components within these devices, making HTTP access and error logs crucial for identifying exploitation attempts. Several cybersecurity agencies reported successful compromises of organizations that failed to patch vulnerable systems promptly. The exploit allows attackers to access sensitive configuration files without authentication and execute arbitrary code, giving them full control over compromised devices and potential access to internal networks.

86% of cyberattacks on manufacturing are targeted, with 66% from hackers

The manufacturing sector has become the primary target for cybercriminals, marking the fourth consecutive year as the most attacked industry. Recent cybersecurity reports reveal an alarming statistic: 86% of cyberattacks targeting this sector are deliberate and calculated, with 66% of these attacks originating from professional hackers.

The vulnerability of manufacturing firms stems from multiple factors, as illustrated by the attack vectors:

The industrial environment presents unique security challenges due to legacy technology that often lacks built-in security features. The increasing digitization through Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices has expanded the attack surface exponentially, with each connected device potentially serving as an entry point for attackers.

Manufacturing companies within Industry 4.0 face particular risks as they attempt to preserve existing systems while adopting new technologies. Security experts note that when operations are deeply intertwined across supply chains, even firms with strong security measures remain vulnerable to breaches through their partners' systems. This interconnectivity means that manufacturing organizations must consider not only their own security posture but also that of their entire ecosystem to effectively mitigate the growing cyber threat landscape.

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