Why Manufacturing is the Top Target for Cyberattacks – And How to Fight Back

Why Manufacturing is the Top Target for Cyberattacks – And How to Fight Back

Manufacturing remains one of the most targeted industries for cyberattacks, with ransomware and data extortion incidents leading the way. The Arctic Wolf Threat Report 2025 highlights how cybercriminals exploit operational vulnerabilities in manufacturing environments, causing disruptions that can lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and production downtime. Below, we explore key cybersecurity threats in the manufacturing sector and strategies for mitigating risks.

Manufacturing: The Top Target for Ransomware Attacks

According to the Arctic Wolf Threat Report 2025, manufacturing accounted for 18.6% of all ransomware and data extortion cases, making it the most attacked industry. The reason? Cybercriminals understand that manufacturing companies have low tolerance for downtime, making them more likely to pay a ransom to restore operations quickly.

Key attack vectors include:

• Unsecured Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and VPNs: Used in 38% of ransomware cases, these remote access points provide easy entry for cybercriminals.
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Threat actors exploit third-party vendors with weaker security postures to gain access to critical infrastructure.
• Industrial Espionage: Attackers target manufacturing companies to steal proprietary processes, blueprints, and trade secrets.

Ransomware Demands & Payments in Manufacturing

• The median initial ransom demand for manufacturing firms was $800,000 USD, among the highest across all industries.
• Despite high demands, many organizations paid unnecessarily—Arctic Wolf’s data revealed that only 12% of cases actually required a ransom payment for recovery.
• 96% of ransomware attacks included data theft, making double extortion (encrypting data and threatening public exposure) the norm.

Lesson for Manufacturers: Implementing offline backups and strong incident response protocols can prevent unnecessary ransom payments.

Business Email Compromise (BEC) Threats

While ransomware is the primary concern, Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks also pose significant risks. Manufacturing made up 6% of all BEC cases, with phishing and credential theft being the most common entry points.

• BEC attackers use social engineering to impersonate executives, vendors, or supply chain partners, tricking employees into wiring payments or exposing sensitive data.
• 72.9% of BEC incidents originated from phishing emails, showing the need for strong email security measures and employee awareness training.

Intrusions: A Growing Concern

Manufacturing was among the top three industries affected by network and host-based intrusions, accounting for 15.3% of intrusion cases.

• 76% of intrusion cases leveraged just 10 known vulnerabilities, emphasizing the importance of regular patching and vulnerability management.
• Zero-day exploits were found in 6% of intrusion cases, indicating that manufacturing companies must stay ahead of emerging threats.

Recommendation: Prioritize patching critical vulnerabilities, particularly those related to remote access tools and externally facing services.

How Manufacturers Can Strengthen Cybersecurity

1. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)– Most attacks rely on stolen credentials. Phishing-resistant MFA can block unauthorized access.
2. Secure Remote Access– Restrict RDP access, require VPNs with MFA, and monitor for unauthorized remote login attempts.
3. Implement Regular Security Training– Employees should be trained to recognize phishing emails and social engineering tactics.
4. Deploy Strong Backup Solutions– Ensure that backup systems are air-gapped or offline to prevent ransomware from encrypting critical files.
5. Conduct Incident Response Drills– A well-prepared IR team can detect, contain, and mitigate threats before they escalate.

Manufacturers are prime targets for cyberattacks due to their critical operations, reliance on digital supply chains, and valuable intellectual property. The Arctic Wolf Threat Report 2025 underscores the urgent need for proactive cybersecurity measures, including stronger access controls, regular patching, and employee training.

For more details, read the full report: Arctic Wolf Threat Report 2025.

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• Securing the Perimeter: Cybersecurity at the Edge for OT LAN and Edge Networks
• Why ICS Cybersecurity Regulations Are Essential for Industrial Resilience