Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining the way businesses operate. But beyond the flashy headlines about AI replacing human intelligence, deepfakes, and digital mining, another battle is quietly taking place: the cybersecurity of our manufacturing and industrial backbone.
As manufacturers implement automation, AI, and IoT in manufacturing, they also expose their networks to new and evolving threats. For manufacturers, the question is no longer whether “the network works”, but how long it will continue to do so and under what conditions.
Manufacturing networks are now more complex and more critical to operations than ever before. The ability to innovate while protecting those networks will determine which organizations thrive and which are left vulnerable in the rapidly evolving digital era.
Here are five key steps every manufacturer should be focused upon right now to improve productivity and protect critical assets.
1. Acknowledge That Isolation is Over
For years, manufacturers have protected their critical assets through Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and SCADA environments, relying on physical “air gaps” to separate production networks from the internet. The push for real-time analytics, predictive maintenance, and IoT connectivity solutions has effectively ended this isolation.
IT and Operational Technology (OT) networks are closer than ever before, creating new and often unseen vulnerabilities across manufacturing environments. Every connected system, from HVAC controls to robotic arms, is now a potential target for cyberattacks.
Leaders must understand that cybersecurity is no longer solely a technology issue; it is a core operational concern. Conducting detailed audits to identify where IT and OT systems converge, manufacturers can identify and deploy strict network segmentation policies to protect mission-critical assets. Building this network security framework ensures a future-ready infrastructure capable of adapting to new and emerging threats.
2. Confront the Reality of Shadow Connectivity
Smart manufacturers are constantly adopting innovative technology to improve efficiency. However, new equipment often includes built-in network capabilities added by engineering teams or vendors with minimal IT oversight.
This unmonitored expansion of the network, an inevitable friction of rapid digital expansion, creates “shadow connectivity” which can become a gateway for cyberattacks.
Governance must be built into the innovation process. Every connected device should undergo formal IT review to ensure cybersecurity compliance. Implementing tools such as Network Access Control (NAC), Zero Trust Networking (ZTNA) and even Mobile Device Management (MDM) can help safeguard new devices joining the network.
Partnering with experienced network security service providers can ensure visibility across every device and system, closing the gaps left by decentralized IoT adoption.
3. Modernize the Edge with Private 5G
Private 5G gives manufacturers complete control over data, performance, and security within their own operations. This control enables manufacturers to isolate critical OT systems while maintaining high-performance wireless connectivity.
Equally important, it enables security enforcement at the network edge. With IoT devices generating and processing data in real time on the network edge, this area has become a prime target for cyberattacks.
Private 5G should be adopted as a cornerstone of industrial cybersecurity strategies. Implementing policy-based segmentation and edge threat protection solutions helps identify and neutralize device-level risks before they can compromise the production network.
4. Treat AI as Both an Asset and a Risk
AI has become a powerful asset in manufacturing operations, optimizing production lines, enabling predictive maintenance, and streamlining decision-making. Yet, as the capabilities of AI expand, so does the potential attack surface.
The proliferation of “agentic AI”, autonomous AI systems that act independently to perform predetermined complex tasks without constant human guidance, has amplified data flow and complexity, creating new challenges and vulnerabilities that traditional network defenses were not built to address.
To balance the benefits and risk, AI-enabled systems should be treated as critical infrastructure. Manufacturers should deploy AI-aware monitoring tools to identify irregular device behavior in real-time. Leverage managed security services that blend automation, analytics, and human oversight.
5. Build a Unified, Proactive Defense
Eliminate traditional silos that exist between IT, OT, and cybersecurity. As networks converge, so must strategies and collaboration.
Implement continuous visibility, automated response, and a unified security strategy that integrates both IoT in manufacturing and traditional enterprise systems.
Partner with trusted network security service providers who deliver managed detection, threat defense, and proactive insights into the health of your network. Real-time visibility across IT and OT networks is the key to maintaining network continuity and containing potential cyberattacks before they cause damage.
Final Thoughts
The digital transformation of manufacturing, the expansion of the network edge, and the rise of AI have unlocked extraordinary opportunity, but also redefined risk. As factories become smarter and more connected, the challenges of IoT and the growing sophistication of cyber threats demand new thinking.
Manufacturers must move beyond the assumption that “the network works” and begin treating connectivity as a strategic advantage, one that’s secured, segmented, and continuously monitored.
Those who act now, investing in IoT connectivity solutions, device level threat defense, and expert network security service providers, will be the ones who build truly resilient, future-ready operations.
The industrial battleground is already here and the manufacturers who modernize their defenses today will lead the industry tomorrow.