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Manufacturing Leaders Brace for Complex Attacks
Following an August cyberattack, Jaguar Land Rover has kept factories shut. The pause now lasts for weeks and is expected to extend into October, disrupting production and supply chains across the UK and Europe. Government officials are considering emergency measures to mitigate the impact and address supply chain cyber resilience. The shutdown underscores LevelBlue’s new report on Cyber Threats to Manufacturing.
The report warns that cyber resilience now sits on the C-suite agenda as attacks grow more sophisticated. “Cyber resilience is no longer optional—it’s becoming a strategic imperative,” said LevelBlue’s Kory Daniels. The report reveals that 28% of manufacturing executives report having suffered a breach in the last 12 months, and 37% are experiencing more attacks than they did a year ago.
AI-Powered Threats Push Defenses to the Limit
AI-driven attacks are reshaping the cyber risk landscape. Just 32% of executives say they are prepared for AI-powered threats. Only 30% feel ready for deepfake attacks, despite nearly half expecting them in the coming year.
Daniels warned, “Corporate executive alignment and a proactive, adaptive approach are essential to staying ahead of rapidly evolving threats.”
Supply Chain Blind Spots Increase Risk
Visibility gaps in the software supply chain are leaving manufacturers exposed. 54% report very low to moderate visibility into supply chain security, and only 26% prioritize supplier engagement in the next year.
LevelBlue highlights the stakes: vulnerabilities in supply chain software can provide entry points for attackers to steal credentials, control systems, and distribute malware across networks.
Cybersecurity Rises to the Boardroom
The report shows a cultural shift. Sixty-five % of manufacturing leaders are now measured against cybersecurity KPIs, while 70% are training employees on social engineering.
Nearly 36% of companies are increasing boardroom engagement in cyber resilience, ranking it second among improvement priorities.
This alignment signals a recognition that cybersecurity is not just IT’s job—it’s a business survival issue.
Investments in Cyber Resilience Accelerate
Manufacturers are putting money where the risks are. Key investment areas include:
- 71% in machine learning for pattern matching
- 69% in cyber resilience processes across the business
- 64% in generative AI defenses against social engineering
- 67% in application security
- 63% in enhanced supply chain security
However, only 34% are investing significantly in Zero Trust Architecture, a gap LevelBlue warns could hinder resilience.
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Four Steps to Cyber Resilience
LevelBlue recommends four actions for manufacturers to strengthen resilience:
- Elevate leadership engagement – Make cyber resilience a board-level business requirement.
- Adopt proactive defenses – Invest in advanced detection, vulnerability management, and Zero Trust models.
- Build a resilient culture – Train employees, encourage reporting, and integrate cyber safety across operations.
- Prioritize supply chain security – Verify supplier credentials and conduct ongoing assessments to ensure security.
These steps form the foundation of a stronger cyber-resilient future for manufacturing.
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