Manufacturing Sector
Cyber Threat Analysis
The UK manufacturing sector has become one of the most heavily targeted industries across the global cyber threat landscape. As production environments become increasingly digitised and interconnected, manufacturers now present cyber criminals with a highly lucrative combination: operational downtime pressure, complex supply chains, and legacy operational technology that is difficult to secure.
Ransomware groups and state-backed actors alike are actively exploiting these weaknesses, knowing that even short disruptions can result in severe financial and operational consequences.
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Manufacturing represented nearly one third of ransomware victims in 2024.
UK MANUFACTURERS ARE AT RISK.
UK manufacturers face elevated cyber risk due to a unique convergence of factors.
Many organisations operate mixed IT and OT environments, rely heavily on third-party suppliers, and continue to run legacy systems that are difficult to patch without disrupting production. At the same time, the UK remains a high-value target for ransomware groups and cyber criminal marketplaces, with stolen data, access credentials and industrial IP frequently traded on dark web forums.
Threat actors are increasingly targeting UK manufacturers through phishing campaigns, compromised suppliers, exposed VPNs and remote access tools. Once inside, attackers move laterally across networks, exfiltrate sensitive data, and deploy ransomware designed to halt production lines and pressure organisations into rapid payment.
HIGH-PROFILE MANUFACTURING CYBER ATTACK EXAMPLES FROM RECENT YEARS:
+ Jaguar Land Rover, UK
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) suffered a major cyber incident in August–September 2025, forcing the shutdown of global IT systems and halting production across UK and international plants. The disruption lasted several weeks, contributing to a 43% year-on-year drop in wholesale volumes in Q3 2025 and significant supply chain impact. The Cyber Monitoring Centre estimated the total economic cost at £1.9 billion, marking it as one of the most damaging cyber attacks on a UK manufacturer.
+ Rolls-Royce, UK
Rolls-Royce confirmed a cyber incident after attackers gained unauthorised access to internal systems via a third-party supplier. While core production systems were not publicly reported as compromised, the incident demonstrated the growing risk of supply chain-based attacks against complex manufacturing ecosystems.
+ KP Snacks, UK
KP Snacks, one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, suffered a ransomware attack that forced the company to halt production across multiple sites. The attack disrupted the supply of popular brands to major UK supermarkets for several weeks. Systems were taken offline as a containment measure, highlighting the impact ransomware can have on availability and supply chains.
MANUFACTURING SECTOR THREAT TRENDS:
Our recent analysis of the manufacturing sector shows a rising prevalence of cyber incidents, with ransomware, phishing, and supply chain attacks leading the threats. Many manufacturers remain underprepared, with legacy systems, operational technology, and complex supply chains leaving them vulnerable to attacks that can halt production, compromise sensitive data, and disrupt operations.
20%
Global Ransomware Incidents
Around 20% of all global ransomware incidents target the manufacturing sector.
Cost of a Data Breach
The average cost of a data breach within the manufacturing sector now stands at around £4.2 million.
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£4.2M
Pay The Ransom
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of manufacturing ransomware victims pay the ransom - driven by pressure from operational downtime.
96%
Involve Data Theft
Almost all ransomware attacks on businesses in the manufacturing sector now involve some form of data theft. Enabling the potential for double-extorsion tactics to be used.
UNIQUE SECTOR CHALLENGES & RISKS:
+ Ransomware & Operational Disruption - Ransomware targeting IT and OT systems can halt production, cause financial loss, and damage reputations. Attackers leverage downtime pressure to demand quick ransom payments, often threatening to leak stolen data.
+ Supply Chain & Third-Party Exposure - Compromised suppliers or software providers can give attackers indirect access to manufacturing environments, spreading risk across multiple organisations.
+ Legacy OT & Industrial Control Systems - Outdated OT and ICS systems are hard to patch and monitor. Once breached, attackers can disrupt processes, damage equipment, or manipulate production outputs.
WHAT METHODS ARE BEING EMPLOYED BY ATTACKERS?
+ Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks use deceptive emails, messages, or links to trick employees into revealing credentials or other sensitive information.
In the manufacturing sector, phishing is a leading entry point for ransomware and network intrusions, with large workforces and remote access tools increasing exposure. Recent analysis shows that a significant proportion of manufacturers experience phishing incidents annually, often leading to credential theft, malware deployment, or operational disruption.
+ Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a form of targeted phishing where attackers impersonate employees, executives, or suppliers to gain unauthorised access to systems, data, or payments.
In the manufacturing sector, BEC is a growing concern, with over 35% of manufacturers reporting at least one BEC or impersonation incident in the past 12 months. Attackers exploit trusted relationships with vendors, logistics partners, or internal staff to steal credentials, manipulate orders, or disrupt production workflows, creating both financial and operational risk.
+ Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for its release. In manufacturing, attackers often exploit vulnerabilities in legacy IT and operational technology (OT) systems to gain network access, disrupt production, and steal sensitive operational or intellectual property data.
In 2024, 44% of computers in manufacturing environments were affected by ransomware, with 62% of victims paying the ransom, highlighting the sector’s high operational and financial exposure.
+ Supply Chain Attacks
Manufacturers rely heavily on third‑party suppliers, software providers, and logistics partners, making the supply chain a key attack vector. Cyber criminals target these providers to gain indirect access to manufacturing networks, steal sensitive data, or cause operational disruption.
In fact, 42% of manufacturers reported experiencing a breach through a third‑party supplier or vendor, with many traced back to overly broad access permissions that attackers exploited to infiltrate core systems.
HOW PURECYBER WILL SECURE YOUR ORGANISATION:
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Penetration Testing:
Identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in your network/systems with Application Testing, Infrastructure Testing, Red Teaming & IT Health Checks. Our CREST certified team of penetration testers will push your network security to it’s limits, remediating vulnerabilities and offering insight into the health our your IT environment.
Governance Support:
Ensuring your organisation is compliant with regulatory requirements and expectations is the backbone of your organisational cyber security. As an NCSC Certified Assurance Provider, our consultancy services offer guidance and support in improving organisations cyber policies, achieving accreditations, auditing cyber posture and approach and reaching compliance standards.
Our certified team of Lead Auditors, Lead Implementors, and CISSP consultants are here to guide and support you on all aspect of your cyber security compliance needs including consultancy on CE, CEP & IASME, ISO27001, Incident Response Simulation, Cyber Security Audits, vCISO & Awareness Training.
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