Understanding the Threat Landscape
Manufacturers face a myriad of cyber threats, including:
- Insider Threats: Unauthorized actions by employees or contractors, whether intentional or accidental, compromise an organization’s security and expose them to even more risk.
- Legacy Remote Access: Vulnerable IT systems, unguarded OT devices, and “backdoor VPN”
- Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Weaknesses in third-party vendors often serve as entry points for attackers.
Insider Threats to Manufacturing Plant Security
Cybersecurity threats in manufacturing often stem from within. Whether through accidental mistakes or deliberate sabotage, risks emanating from insider actors pose significant challenges. Employees may inadvertently expose vulnerabilities by falling for phishing scams or mishandling credentials. Meanwhile, malicious insiders can intentionally exploit access to disrupt operations, steal sensitive data, or facilitate ransomware attacks.
A striking example is The Clorox Company, which suffered a cyberattack that severely impacted production and led to an estimated $350 million financial hit. The breach was reportedly the result of social engineering tactics that compromised legitimate user credentials, granting attackers unauthorized access to sensitive internal networks.
To mitigate these risks, Invisinet employs Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles, ensuring that identity-driven access controls and continuous verification are enforced at all times. Our First Packet Authentication™ (FPA) technology ensures that only authenticated and authorized users can access critical systems, while access revocation prevents terminated employees from retaining any entry points. Additionally, real-time threat detection helps identify and neutralize suspicious activity before damage is done.
Legacy Remote Access and “Backdoor VPN” Vulnerabilities
Legacy remote access systems, including outdated VPNs, are among the weakest links in manufacturing cybersecurity. Already in 2024, vulnerabilities in Ivanti and Cisco ASA VPNs have been widely exposed, leaving many manufacturers open to exploitation. Further complicating matters, technology vendors often require remote connectivity via “backdoor VPNs” to service and maintain production line equipment—an unmanaged risk that cybercriminals can leverage for initial infiltration.
Invisinet’s Zero Trust approach eliminates these risks by rendering vulnerable legacy systems invisible to unauthorized users. Our identity-based micro-segmentation ensures that even if a legacy device is compromised, attackers cannot leverage it as a jump point to infiltrate deeper into the network.
Third-Party Contractor Access and Unmanaged Devices
Manufacturers depend on external contractors for equipment maintenance and process optimization. These contractors often use their own specialized software installed on personal laptops—devices that may not adhere to internal security policies. Past ransomware incidents have demonstrated how a single compromised laptop brought into a manufacturing plant can bypass traditional security controls, leading to catastrophic breaches.
While virtual air-gapping IT and OT networks is a common security strategy, it is often insufficient. Malware introduced on the factory floor can still propagate into enterprise IT environments, causing widespread disruption.
Invisinet secures third-party access with Remote Access Management and Micro-segmentation:
- Micro-segmentation prevents lateral movement within compromised environments, ensuring that threats remain contained and cannot spread across IT and OT networks. Users are limited to accessing those resources for which they have access, according to the principle of least privilege.
- Remote Access Management grants external vendors controlled, time-limited access only to specific devices while enforcing strict policies on permitted actions, preventing unauthorized modifications or data exfiltration.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Cyber Risk
Modern manufacturers operate within vast, interconnected supply chains, making supplier security an extension of their own cybersecurity posture. When suppliers have deep integration into a manufacturer’s network, a single compromised partner can serve as a conduit for widespread attack, even without their knowledge. Toyota’s 2022 production shutdown, triggered by a cyberattack on one of its suppliers, underscores the massive financial and operational impact such breaches can have.
By implementing Zero Trust connectivity, manufacturers can enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that suppliers only have access to the systems and data necessary for their operations. Invisinet’s authentication-based micro-segmentation prevents unauthorized users from moving between supplier and manufacturer networks, mitigating the risk of malware propagation.
Securing Manufacturing for the Future
Manufacturing security requires a proactive, identity-driven approach that eliminates outdated access models and enforces continuous verification. Invisinet’s Zero Trust architecture and First Packet Authentication™ technology provide an unmatched level of protection, ensuring that only authorized users and devices gain access to critical infrastructure. By securing remote access, managing insider threats, and preventing supply chain vulnerabilities, manufacturers can fortify their defenses against the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.
Contact us to learn more
