Safeguarding Manufacturing: Strengthening Cybersecurity in the Industry

While cybersecurity seems like a threat to only large companies, cyberattacks can also pose serious problems for small and medium manufacturers. Here are some key tips that should be in mind as you develop and utilize new technology:

Four Things You Can Do

• Exercise caution before clicking: Whenever you come across a suspicious-looking link, exercise caution and take a moment to think before you click. Such links may potentially be designed to extract sensitive information from you or inject malicious software onto your device.
• Manage software updates: Promptly address software update notifications without delay. Better yet, enable automatic updates so that your software remains current and equipped with the latest security patches and enhancements.
• Use strong passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique and randomly generated. Utilizing password managers is highly recommended as they can assist in generating and securely storing complex passwords for each of your accounts. By doing so, your passwords are encrypted and safeguarded.
• Activate multifactor authentication: Relying solely on passwords is no longer sufficient for ensuring robust protection of your online accounts. By enabling multifactor authentication, you significantly reduce the likelihood of being hacked. This additional layer of security requires more than just a password, providing an extra barrier against unauthorized access.

Cybersecurity for Smaller Manufacturers

In the realm of cybersecurity, small and medium manufacturers often find themselves at a disadvantage when compared to their larger counterparts. These companies tend to be less prepared to fend off cyberattacks due to insufficient measures in place to protect their sensitive information. Moreover, the lack of comprehensive employee training on essential cyber practices further exacerbates their vulnerability. To bridge this gap, small and medium manufacturers must prioritize cybersecurity as a critical aspect of their operations.

The good news is that SMMs often have less complex operational needs than larger firms and may be able to quickly take basic measures to defend their information and systems. Start with the Manufacturers Guide to Cybersecurity for Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers for easy steps to quickly and cost effectively address cybersecurity risk. This guide is based on the Cybersecurity Framework and generally accepted cyber hygiene best practices. It is broken down into five steps: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover. It also has some basic practices you and your employees can take immediately to protect your data.

Fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees is paramount. By providing comprehensive training on best practices for online safety, organizations can empower their workforce to identify and respond effectively to potential threats. From recognizing phishing attempts to implementing strong password policies, a well-informed and vigilant team serves as a formidable line of defense.

As manufacturers embrace the opportunities presented by digital transformation and the integration of smart technologies, cybersecurity considerations should be at the forefront. By actively addressing vulnerabilities and dedicating resources to fortify their digital infrastructure, small and medium manufacturers can operate with confidence, knowing that their valuable assets and data are shielded from malicious actors in the ever-evolving cyber landscape.

Content in this blog is in part sourced from the National MEP Website.