At Werner Electric Supply, we are proud to go beyond supplying the hardware that powers industrial operations — we also deliver the technology and expertise that protect them. Cybersecurity and limiting risk for all manufacturing operations is a primary concern for our customers and the experts that support them.
As manufacturing continues its digital transformation journey, the cybersecurity landscape has become more complex and urgent. The integration of cloud platforms, AI‑enabled devices and smart operational technology (OT) systems has unlocked tremendous opportunities for efficiency and growth and also opened new doors to cyber threats. Manufacturers are now among the most targeted industries globally. Cybersecurity is no longer a back-office concern; it is now a strategic imperative at the C-suite level.
Ransomware & legacy system vulnerabilities
Ransomware remains one of the most significant risks to manufacturing operations. It can cause disruptions to production lines, inventory systems or logistics, resulting in major financial and supply chain impacts. Nearly 40% of firms report that cyberattacks are their top infrastructure concern, with legacy systems and unpatched OT environments particularly vulnerable. Malware and ransomware targeting OT have been reported by 40% of surveyed firms.
Vulnerabilities in legacy systems and outdated software also ranked at the top. To counter these threats, firms are investing heavily in preventive technologies. Approximately 43% of manufacturers plan to increase spending on cybersecurity solutions over the next one to two years.
Mitigation strategies include:
- Improved segmentation between IT and OT networks
- Routine patching cycles
- Deployment of OT-aware intrusion detection and anomaly detection systems
IT/OT collaboration
While aligning IT and OT teams is considered vital for improving security, most manufacturers struggle with collaboration. Only 19% of organizations report having a joint IT/OT team managing their industrial infrastructure. Even though improved cybersecurity is cited as the top benefit of IT/OT collaboration, only 38% say their teams work together on cybersecurity projects.
This lack of alignment is driven by:
- Limited training (reported by 39%)
- Organizational silos
- Outdated processes
Manufacturers must prioritize cross-functional training, create a unified governance model and invest in vendor platforms that support both IT and OT workflows to close the convergence gap. Without this alignment, vulnerabilities will persist in the seams between systems.
Threats & access risks
Although external attacks dominate the headlines, insider threats — both intentional and accidental — are increasingly dangerous. Poorly managed access controls, weak remote login policies and a lack of behavioral monitoring can all lead to internal breaches. In fact, 32% of organizations report insider threats as a significant cybersecurity concern in OT. Additionally, 27% admit they lack proper controls over third-party remote access, which is often granted to vendors and contractors.
To reduce insider risks, manufacturers must implement zero-trust access policies, enforce multi-factor authentication, log and monitor user activities, and restrict remote access through dedicated gateways or session managers. Employee awareness and regular phishing simulations can also help reduce negligent behavior.
Supply chain vulnerabilities
Modern manufacturing is built on a dense web of suppliers, platforms and outsourced service providers. While this model enables scale and flexibility, it also introduces a broad attack surface. Around 36% of manufacturers struggle with managing multiple vendors, and 37% cite a lack of standardization across their infrastructure as a major operational challenge.
These issues directly translate into cybersecurity risks. For instance, compromised firmware from a hardware supplier or malicious code inserted into a software update can cascade through an entire facility.
To mitigate supply chain risks, firms should conduct periodic cybersecurity audits of vendors, adopt Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) for transparency, and restrict third-party access with detailed contracts and technical safeguards.
AI in manufacturing
AI is rapidly becoming central to industrial operations — 51% of manufacturers say they expect AI to improve network management across IT and OT, while 46% believe it will enhance collaboration between the two.
AI-enabled devices are now the top investment priority for many manufacturers, just ahead of cybersecurity tools. But with these benefits come new risks: Untested AI models can make incorrect decisions, and AI systems themselves may become targets for manipulation or data poisoning.
To manage these risks, organizations should deploy AI systems with explainability, model validation and strict access controls. Additionally, AI can be leveraged to enhance cybersecurity by identifying abnormal patterns, predicting vulnerabilities and accelerating incident response.
Cybersecurity as a strategic advantage
Looking ahead, manufacturers are doubling down on cybersecurity to protect their OT assets. About 44% of firms plan to enhance cybersecurity measures as a future-proofing strategy over the next two years.
Key focus areas include:
- Scalable network architectures
- Integrated security monitoring
- Continuous employee education
- Talent development (39%)
- Partnering with external cybersecurity vendors (42%)
Embedding cybersecurity into digital transformation initiatives — from the earliest stages of deployment — is now essential for competitiveness and compliance.
In today’s interconnected industrial environment, cybersecurity is the foundation of operational resilience. From defending against ransomware and supply chain risks to enabling safe AI deployment and IT/OT integration, manufacturers face a complex challenge.
Yet, those who make cybersecurity a core part of their business strategy stand to gain a powerful advantage. The path forward lies in collaboration, proactive investment and a unified vision of secure, intelligent manufacturing.
Peter Ritz has been with Werner Electric since 2024. He currently serves as an industrial networks & cybersecurity account manager in Southeast Wisconsin. Previously, he spent 18 years with Cisco in a variety of roles helping customers transform their networks and business technology.
