Malware Targets Manufacturing Vulnerabilities

Machine Design has partnered with MxD to call greater attention to developing a stronger cybersecurity strategy.

This is the final part of a seven-part series presented by MxD, the manufacturing innovation institute that works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense to equip U.S. factories with the digital tools, cybersecurity and workforce expertise they need.

The other parts of the MxD cybersecurity series can be found here.

Threat #7: Malware

The recent IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2023 report stated that for the second year in a row, manufacturing was the top target for cybercriminals. IBM notes that manufacturing is a particularly attractive mark for extortion-related attacks like ransomware due to the industry’s low tolerance for downtime.

Cybercriminals are constantly innovating their malware to avoid detection, yet thanks to gaps in legacy equipment security, older malware infections such as WannaCry (ransomware) and Conficker (a worm) continue to put operations technology at risk.