Many modern businesses in almost every sector of the economy are adopting the latest technologies for greater connectivity and efficiency. However, while many of these technologies offer myriad benefits, they can also create new cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
While much of the focus has remained on manufacturers and how they can bolster their cybersecurity efforts, another group of businesses also needs to improve their cybersecurity. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, making them easy targets.
How can OEMs improve their cybersecurity risk management? What can OEMs do to protect themselves and reduce the risks associated with an expanded cybersecurity threat landscape?
Why Should OEMs Prioritize Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity attacks are on the rise, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cybercriminals are attacking all businesses, including critical infrastructure and members of the global supply chain.
Whether it’s ransomware, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), phishing attacks, or social engineering tactics, no business should consider itself completely immune to cyberattacks.
OEMs and other suppliers to the manufacturing industry are targets for cyberattacks. The majority of them store valuable data, maintain significant IT and OT operations, and, unfortunately, many lack the necessary resources to address major cybersecurity concerns adequately.
So, why should OEMs, in particular, prioritize cybersecurity? First and foremost, they serve manufacturing clients that are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats themselves. They must safeguard their sensitive data from outside observers, whether it’s client data, client lists, or employee information.
OEMs are often targeted because they have these connections – a criminal can execute an attack on OEMs as a means to breach other targets within their client network. In other words, malicious actors may initially attack an OEM with the understanding that there will be bigger, and possibly more valuable targets further up in the supply chain.
