More and more, manufacturers are being targeted by cyber-criminals and competing companies. The goals of the intrusions range from getting money to seeking a competitive advantage to seriously disrupting the business.
According to the Dayton Business Journal, more than 205,000 businesses submitted files in 2019 that had been hacked in ransomware attacks, a 41% increase from the prior year, according to security firm Emsisoft. In addition, the FBI sees about 330 cyber-attacks per week in the Dayton, Ohio region alone.
Also in 2019, Rexarc International Inc. beefed up its investment in cyber-security after falling victim to an attack in which hackers stole more than $100,000 from the West Alexandria-based welding manufacturing firm.
And last month, June 2020, the Dayton Honda plant took a devastating blow from hackers using the new ransomware EKANS, which shuts down specific ICS processes indefinitely, encrypts data, and demands payment in exchange for decryption.
Such attacks can bring a manufacturer’s production to a grinding halt. Even the largest, most-capitalized businesses are at risk and vulnerable.
Cyber-attacks in manufacturing come in many forms. Examples include phishing, which can fool employees into revealing private information and passwords. EKANS ransomware is on the rise and has become a common concern for manufacturers. EKANS targets industrial control systems (ICS) that interface with heavy equipment in factories and plants. All forms of advanced malware can make their way into a manufacturer’s hardware and spread to other systems, causing devastating disruptions.
And don’t forget about internal threats. Insiders – employees and contractors -- can also steal confidential information and intellectual property to get money or revenge.
Historically, manufacturers’ systems and equipment have been designed for making the best product safely. The focus has not been on cyber-security. In many cases, this has left security gaps and opportunities for intruders.
Making the problem worse is that the systems often are operated by manufacturing teams, with little or no IT oversight.
In this rapidly changing industry, rigid security and compliance protocols are necessary.
Technology touches almost every part of the manufacturing process. With correct solutions, any manufacturer can significantly accelerate productivity, streamline production, and see the type of uptime and efficiency your organization needs to get your business where you want to go. And you can do this at the same time you take every step possible to prevent a successful cyber-attack.
Emerge IT Services offers proactive monitoring, security services, and technology from Cisco, VMWare, and Microsoft to keep manufacturers productive and secure. We have the knowledge and experience to deliver precise technology solutions with customizable options that include the setup, management, security, and maintenance, including:
Emerge’s team of consultants and technicians will work around the clock to ensure that your organization gets all of the benefits that only well-coordinated expertise can produce. For a complete consultation, call us today at 859-746-1030.