Cyber risks grow as manufacturers turn to AI and cloud systems

https://www.manufacturingdive.com/news/cyber-risks-grow-as-manufacturers-turn-to-ai-and-cloud-systems/808049/

Publish Date: 2026-01-05 10:17:00

Source Domain: www.manufacturingdive.com

Here is a summary of the key points from the article using an unordered list format:

Disruption Costs: In August, a cyberattack halted Jaguar Land Rover’s production for a month, resulting in around $910 million in combined cybersecurity costs and losses, highlighting significant vulnerabilities and the potential for global supply chain disruptions.
Digitization Risks: The ongoing digital transformation in manufacturing, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud systems, has outpaced the establishment of effective cybersecurity measures, making these industries increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals.
Industry Attractiveness: According to cybersecurity reports, manufacturing is the most-attacked industry over the past four years, with a surge in attacks due to increased connectivity and integration with outdated systems not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind.
Mismatch Between Modern Tech and Legacy Systems: Experts highlight a gap where fast modernization in digital processes is not matched by corresponding updates in cybersecurity measures, especially when integrating innovative tech like AI and cloud systems with legacy infrastructure.
Broad Attack Surface: AI and cloud systems have expanded the attack surface significantly in manufacturing, as these systems rely on third-party integrations, connected machines, and vendor-supplied software.
Need for Data Protection: Protecting sensitive data, especially those uploaded to AI and cloud systems, is critical. Measures like encrypting data and employing strong key management are vital to mitigate unauthorized access risks.
Visibility and Awareness: Manufacturers need better visibility into AI usage, especially regarding vendors’ access, AI’s operational role, and secure data management practices. However, informal AI and cloud tool usage often without security oversight complicates these efforts.
Cost and Caution: Many manufacturers face significant upfront costs in bolstering cybersecurity measures. However, insufficient spending on cybersecurity can lead to substantial financial losses post-attack, thus necessitating a balance between evolving tech and security investment.