Manufacturing Today Issue - 233 Feb 2025 | Page 32

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Mindset

SHIFT

Navigating cybersecurity risks in the manufacturing supply chain .
By Ian Bramson

The interconnected nature of global business is forcing manufacturers to adopt more robust frameworks to identify vulnerabilities and ensure the integrity of the components they rely on .

Easier said than done because manufacturing is anything but monolithic .
This is a complicated landscape featuring a sector spanning industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to chemical plants and automakers . Each has different levels of exposure and security priorities based on risk profiles , international operations and the type of goods produced .
High-hazard industries , for example , often invest more in cybersecurity to prevent catastrophic events , while smaller manufacturers may struggle to allocate sufficient resources until they experience a breach firsthand .
Regardless of size or specialty , one thing remains constant : manufacturers must defend against both direct attacks on their supply chains and those that exploit their networks as a conduit . Achieving this requires visibility , control and thorough risk assessments .
Manufacturers occupy a critical position
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