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Manufacturing companies now consider cybersecurity their third most significant business risk, following inflation and economic growth, according to a report released Wednesday by Rockwell Automation in partnership with Sapio Research.
The global survey, which included 1,560 respondents from 17 leading manufacturing countries, found that over half of manufacturers say securing operational technology (OT) assets is a primary factor driving their technology investments. Nearly two-thirds have already adopted a dedicated OT security platform, while another third plan to deploy one within the next five years.
AI Adoption on the Rise
More than six in ten cyber or IT professionals in manufacturing expect to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) within the next year to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. This reflects a growing trend of using advanced analytics to detect threats faster and respond more effectively.
Growing Threat Landscape
The shift in priorities comes amid a surge in ransomware attacks and increasing nation-state threats targeting industrial operations. The Rockwell report cites high-profile incidents such as the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, which disrupted fuel supply in the southeastern U.S. for nearly a week, and the 2023 Clorox social engineering breach, which resulted in a $380 million lawsuit against its IT services provider.
“There is no doubt that the cyber risks are increasing in OT environments, and the cyber-physical nature of these risks greatly increases what is at stake,” said Katell Thielemann, VP and distinguished analyst at Gartner.
A separate Dragos report underscores the urgency, revealing that manufacturing experienced the highest number of ransomware attacks in Q2 this year. Of the 657 ransomware incidents targeting industrial sectors worldwide, manufacturers accounted for two-thirds.
Industry Coverage
Respondents represented diverse sectors, including food and beverage, packaged goods, automotive, and energy. The findings highlight how cybersecurity has evolved from an IT issue to a core business priority for manufacturers worldwide.
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