Using IoT-as-a-Service to Fight Cyberattacks in Manufacturing

Thanks to a growing number of cyberattacks in previously unscathed industries, manufacturers are focusing more on cybersecurity than ever. Manufacturers already run on razor-thin margins, and a successful attack costs them dearly in downtime, lost revenue, and fines. As these attacks increase, manufacturing is turning to managed services to seal loopholes in necessary but risky technology such as IoT.

Manufacturing attacks are on the rise

One in five manufacturers is being targeted by cyberattacks. They are not alone. Attacks on industries such as food and beverage, utilities, and agriculture – a collection of previously under attacked industries – has manufacturers paying attention. Although attacks in these sectors still pale in comparison to traditionally lucrative fields, think finance or healthcare, they are growing.

Silos between departments have created security loopholes that manufacturers are keen to fix. It’s making sectors nervous to see these industries receiving ransomware attacks and points to the changes the pandemic brought on working environments, as well as cutting edge technology industries employ to manage margins. The balance will require greater awareness and investment in new security features.

A solution to fend off increasing cyberattacks

One of the biggest issues at the moment is ransomware, and groups are increasingly splitting up to fly under the radar but aren’t any less dangerous. Post pandemic with more remote workers than ever, ransomware has increased sharply to take advantage.

An increase in distributed systems among manufacturing sectors also led to an increase in security weaknesses. Companies must grapple with a new era of remote work and the roll-out of 5G and the next stage of industrial IoT and then adapt.

IoT-as-a-Service may help fill in gaps in security by providing managed services for those who need it. Companies that employ these services will have the latest security updates and best practices in this traditionally risky but necessary part of the manufacturing sector.

It also signals a need for companies to attract the right talent to stay on top of security issues in other areas. Luckily, IoT-as-a-service is designed to work with teams regardless of expertise. Attacks may increase, but the tools to manage them only get better.