5 Tips Manufacturers can take to Combat Cyber Attacks

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The current cybersecurity landscape is undeniably turbulent across industries ranging from retail to finance. Cyberattacks continue to rise, with the manufacturing sector facing particularly intense threats.

One of the primary reasons manufacturing has become a prime target is the growing sophistication of cyber threats. These dangers now extend beyond software vulnerabilities to hardware-level risks, such as chip exploits.

In 2026, a security report by SonicWall Capture Labs recorded over 74,000 “never-before-seen” sophisticated attacks. Many of these threats were so novel that they evaded detection at the time of discovery.

This trend indicates that cyberattacks on manufacturers are becoming more frequent, advanced, and damaging. Protecting traditional production processes is no longer enough—organizations must also secure systems, networks, and data as the sector transitions to a digitally driven model.

Fortunately, proven cybersecurity solutions exist to help manufacturers of all sizes defend against threats and prepare for Industry 4.0.

Introducing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a widely adopted cybersecurity framework offering guidelines and best practices for managing cyber risks. The framework is freely available to organizations of every size, including small and midsize manufacturers.

Partners in the MEP National Network™, such as the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, deliver practical, cost-effective support for implementing controls aligned with the NIST framework.

The framework organizes cybersecurity efforts into five core functions:

1. Identify

This function focuses on understanding potential cybersecurity risks to an organization’s systems, people, assets, data, and networks. The central question is: What must be done to address existing threats and reduce potential harm?

Key actions include:

Controlling access to sensitive data
Conducting background and security checks for employees
Requiring unique user accounts for every worker
Establishing clear cybersecurity policies and procedures

For a deeper exploration of this step, see the MEP National Network article “How to Identify Your Business’s Cybersecurity Risks.”

2. Protect

Understanding risks leads directly to action. The Protect function involves implementing safeguards to secure operations and services.

Recommended protective measures include:

• Limiting access to user data and information
• Installing surge protectors and uninterruptible power supplies
• Regularly patching operating systems and software
• Activating software and hardware firewalls
• Securing wireless access points and networks
• Deploying web and email filters
• Encrypting sensitive business information
• Safely disposing of old computers and media
• Training employees on cybersecurity practices

Learn more in the MEP National Network article “How to Protect Your Company from Cyber Attack.”

3. Detect

Timely detection of incidents is essential. Organizations need monitoring systems capable of identifying both active and emerging threats.

Effective detection practices include:

• Installing and updating antivirus and cybersecurity tools
• Running scans daily
• Performing full system scans on a regular schedule
• Maintaining and reviewing detection logs

Read the MEP National Network article “How to Detect a Cyber Attack Against Your Business” for practical guidance.

4. Respond

Once an attack is detected, manufacturers need predefined controls to contain the threat and restore operations. Because many industrial environments use limited or specialized networks, industrial-grade access controls are critical for monitoring internal systems as well as those of vendors and partners.

A response plan should cover:

• Defining who to contact during an incident
• Determining data-handling procedures
• Establishing when to notify senior management and emergency responders
• Clarifying what constitutes an information security incident

Understand your notification obligations and review the MEP National Network article “How to Respond to a Cyber Attack.”

5. Recover

The Recover function addresses restoring systems and data after an incident. Core activities include:

• Creating full backups of critical business data
• Performing incremental backups of important information
• Reviewing and improving processes and technologies after an event

Recovery also involves communicating with customers about the incident’s impact and implementing measures to prevent recurrence. The MEP National Network article “How to Recover from a Cyber Attack” outlines the recommended steps.

How to Secure Your Business

Organizations should adopt the voluntary NIST framework not only to prevent serious threats but also to build the capability to respond effectively. For most companies, the question is no longer whether a cyberattack will occur, but when. Preparation remains the most effective way to limit damage and operational disruption.

The framework also defines implementation tiers—from Partial at the lowest level to Adaptive at the highest—helping organizations assess their cybersecurity maturity.

The most effective next step is to consult experts familiar with both manufacturing environments and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Manufacturers ready to advance their digital resilience should contact their local Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center. The MEP National Network comprises hundreds of specialists experienced in addressing the cybersecurity needs of small and midsize manufacturers.

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