Is Your Manufacturing Line One Hack Away from Total Shutdown?

The modern manufacturing industry relies on a complex mix of technologies, from traditional IT systems to SCADA/ICS networks that control critical industrial processes. This broad technology stack is essential for driving efficiency and productivity, but it also creates a wide range of cybersecurity challenges. Many of these systems, particularly in legacy environments, can be antiquated and highly sensitive to traditional security testing methods. This complicates the task of identifying real security risks, delaying the process of finding and fixing what truly matters.

The Hidden Cyber Risks in Manufacturing

Manufacturing firms face unique cybersecurity challenges that can have severe consequences if not properly managed. Cyber-attacks on SCADA/ICS networks, as well as traditional IT systems, can disrupt operations, leading to production downtime, quality control issues, and significant inventory loss. In industries like food processing, a single cyber incident could result in millions of dollars' worth of produce being destroyed. Additionally, cybercriminals can reroute shipments, causing parts to vanish or be delivered to the wrong locations, further compounding the financial impact.

These risks are further heightened by the need to comply with various regulations, including the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements, and the expectation of meeting NIST standards and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) for firms involved in critical supply chains or those supplying the military-industrial complex. Ensuring compliance with these standards adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging cybersecurity landscape.

Why Manufacturing Firms Struggle with Cybersecurity

For many manufacturing firms, maintaining robust cybersecurity across such a diverse technology stack is a significant challenge. The combination of SCADA/ICS networks, traditional IT systems, and antiquated equipment requires a broad range of skills to protect the entire environment effectively. The sensitivity of older systems to traditional security testing methods can make it difficult to identify real security risks without causing disruptions. This can delay the discovery and remediation of critical issues, putting the entire operation at risk.

How Scapien’s SRM Platform Protects Your Manufacturing Line

Scapien’s Security Risk Management (SRM) platform is specifically designed to address the cybersecurity needs of the manufacturing sector. Our platform helps firms protect their operations by identifying and validating real security risks across both SCADA/ICS networks and traditional IT systems. By focusing on validated risks, Scapien ensures that you can prioritize what needs to be fixed first, enabling rapid remediation and minimizing downtime. Our hybrid man/machine penetration testing approach is particularly effective in uncovering and addressing threats that could otherwise go unnoticed, ensuring that your technology stack—no matter how broad or antiquated—is secured.

For firms involved in critical supply chains or those supplying the military-industrial complex, Scapien’s SRM platform also helps ensure compliance with stringent security regulations. Our system is designed to support systematic breach reporting and fulfill both internal and external auditor requirements, making it easier for manufacturers to navigate the complex regulatory landscape and meet standards like FSMA, SDWA, FERC, NIST, and DFARS.

A Real-World Scenario:

Consider a mid-sized manufacturing firm with 400 employees, producing components for both consumer markets and the military-industrial complex. This firm relies on a combination of SCADA/ICS networks to manage production processes and traditional IT systems to handle inventory and shipments. A cyber-attack on their SCADA system could disrupt production, causing costly downtime and potentially leading to the destruction of valuable inventory. If an attacker were to reroute shipments, the consequences could be even more severe, with parts disappearing or being sent to unauthorized locations. With Scapien’s SRM platform in place, the firm can identify and remediate validated security risks before they are exploited, ensuring that their operations remain secure and compliant with the highest standards of cybersecurity.

Conclusion:

In manufacturing, where uninterrupted operations are critical, even a brief disruption can cause significant losses. Scapien’s SRM platform is designed to ensure your SCADA/ICS networks and traditional IT systems are secure, compliant, and resilient, helping you quickly address and remediate the most critical risks.

With Scapien as your partner, you can trust that your operations will run smoothly and securely, allowing you to focus on delivering quality products without the fear of costly disruptions. Let us make your cybersecurity easier, so you can concentrate on what you do best.