Cybersecurity in Manufacturing: Smart Use of Honeypots 

Key Takeaways 

• Industry 4.0 brings growing cyber hazards for the manufacturing industry.
• Recent cyber events emphasize how urgently strong cybersecurity policies are needed.
• Effective tools for spotting and reducing cyber risks are honeypots and honeytokens.
• Advancements have strengthened the ROI of honeypots, enhanced their adaptability using AI, and integrated them more deeply into enterprise security operations. 

Recognizing the Manufacturing Cybersecurity Scene

Out of the top ten industries, the manufacturing sector accounted for 25.7% of cyberattacks for three years running. Combining operational technology (OT) with information technology (IT) under Industry 4.0 has produced fresh cyber threat possibilities.

The increase in cyberattacks on factories recently highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity policies. Our experience shows that manufacturers fall behind sectors like healthcare in terms of setting up and combining cybersecurity measures, which makes them simpler targets for hackers.

Recent Cybersecurity Events in Manufacturing

Cyber incidents have surged sharply in manufacturing companies during the past year. One significant incident saw attackers focusing on a top automobile manufacturer, pilfering confidential information and upsetting manufacturing operations with a ransomware assault.

Another major event occurred at a pharmaceutical company when private formulations and patient information leaked. This hack generated questions about corporate espionage and patient privacy.

Manufacturers having recorded events throughout the past year comprise:

1. Brunswick Corporation had a cyberattack in June 2023 that cost $85 million and disrupted operations.
2. Applied Materials was affected by a ransomware assault in 2023 with an estimated $250 million loss from a supply-chain.
3. Western Digital suffered a major hack in March 2023 with over 10 gigabytes of data taken.

Problems Manufacturers Experience

The integration of OT and IT systems enhances the attack surface for cybercriminals, therefore posing unique cybersecurity challenges for manufacturers. The issue gets more severe with the demand for organized security procedures and qualified cybersecurity experts.

Approaches for Improving Program Efficiency in Cybersecurity

Manufacturers have to use a multi-faceted strategy to cybersecurity governance if they are to overcome these obstacles. A good program governance approach includes:

• Drafting a cybersecurity governance charter.
• Setting up a cybersecurity oversight committee.
• Adopting a cybersecurity framework, such as the NIST CSF-manufacturing profile.
• Building a multi-year strategic roadmap.
• Creating annual tactical plans.
• Implementing cybersecurity policies and standards.
• Prioritizing a technology investment strategy.
• Developing a program measurement and monitoring plan.
• Fostering a security awareness work culture.

Increasing visibility of OT assets is one sensible approach. Manufacturers can then apply protective measures for technological assets by keeping precise inventories of them together with related hazards. Furthermore important are targeted risk analyses and application of priority-based enhancements. The rise of adaptive cybersecurity tools like AI-driven honeypots has enabled manufacturers to detect and deceive attackers targeting OT assets proactively. These honeypots evolve in real-time based on threat behavior, offering deeper insight into attacker techniques without compromising production environments. 

Matching corporate objectives with cybersecurity initiatives is still another important step. By combining these two areas, security becomes not only a consideration but also a major factor guiding operational decisions.

The Purpose of Collaboration

Manufacturers and cybersecurity professionals should absolutely collaborate. By means of sharing information and best practices, the industry can stay ahead of threats and create better security frameworks. Important establishments consist of:

• Manufacturing ISAC (MFG-ISAC) lets companies work on cybersecurity concerns and exchange threat intelligence.
• Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII) addresses cybersecurity challenges by means of collaboration and innovation.
• NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) offers direction on cybersecurity best practices including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works with manufacturers through programs like the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC).
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers tools and supports information sharing.
• Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Auto-ISAC) shares useful information for the automotive sector.
• National Association of Defense Manufacturers (NAM) engages in cybersecurity projects and offering a forum for information exchange.
• National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) focuses on defense manufacturing and supports information sharing among defense contractors.

How Honeypots and Honeytokens Might Benefit Manufacturers

Cybersecurity systems known as honeypots are decoys meant to draw attackers away from approved targets. For human threat actors and malicious software including ransomware, think of them as lures or traps.

• Honeypots resemble actual systems, networks, or services, to draw in and identify attackers, providing a comprehensive picture of hostile behavior.
• Honeytokens are fake data bits that set off alarms when accessed, therefore enabling the tracking of harmful actors. They might be QR codes, documents, online links, or files.

Manufacturing Honeypots and Honey Tokens Roles

Manufacturing companies are using IoT and automation, which enlarge their attack surface, more and more. By guiding attackers and compiling data on their techniques, honeypots and honeytokens help safeguard digital resources.

A new emphasis on protecting interconnected IoT and OT systems under Industry 4.0 has made honeypots and honeytokens vital to defending high-value targets, especially in manufacturing environments.

Additionally, the adoption of honeytokens has grown beyond simple decoys, organizations now embed fake credentials and data trails across environments to detect insider threats or unauthorized lateral movement.

Benefits of Using Honeypots:

• Divert cybercrime from legitimate targets to lower the possibility of a successful hack.
• Gather useful knowledge about attackers’ strategies, tools, and approaches to guide more effective defense plans.
• With AI capabilities, honeypots are no longer static, they adjust to attacker behavior and provide more credible deception tactics, increasing their detection and intelligence value.

Advantages of Honeytokens:

• Track for illegal access in the digital surroundings of the manufacturing company.
• As tripwires to signal a security breach, identify internal and external threats.

Concerning Cybersecurity Events

By use of honeypots and honeytokens, industrial companies can identify risks early on and react more successfully, therefore mitigating the damage of cybersecurity events. The data acquired with these instruments can enable improved security policies.

Manufacturers increasingly integrate honeypots into SIEM platforms to automate alerts and correlate honeypot activity with broader system events. This strengthens incident response and allows real-time correlation of threat behavior across the network.

Strategic Implementation

Honeypots and honeytokens should be positioned deliberately to appear like actual, valued items if maximum efficacy is sought. Regular data analysis from these instruments is vital.

Best practices have emphasized strong isolation between honeypots and production systems to prevent accidental exposure or compromise. Deployment strategies now prioritize purpose-driven placement, whether detecting ransomware, phishing, or insider threats.

Challenges and Considerations

Though they have value, honeypots and honeytokens should be component of a more comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. This strategy should call for frequent updates, staff training, and robust incident response techniques. Companies have to make sure using these instruments does not bring fresh legal problems or vulnerabilities.

Legal Considerations

Honeypot and honeytokens deployment calls for rigorous legal issue analysis including privacy regulations and authorization for deployment. Data has to be handled safely; corporate stakeholders—including legal counsel—should examine and approve deployment policies.

Creating Manufacturing’s Resilient Cybersecurity Foundation

The cybersecurity services offered by LBMC are catered to the particular difficulties facing the industrial industry. Combining OT and IT exposes manufacturers especially to cyberattacks. The World Economic Forum explores the part cybersecurity plays in advanced manufacturing resilience for more reading on the difficulties and techniques for safe production.

Market adoption of honeypots has accelerated. Organizations are seeing measurable reductions in breach occurrences and faster incident response, making the ROI more quantifiable and justifiable for leadership teams.

LBMC provides risk identification and reduction tools including honeypots and honeytokens. Our staff guarantees continued security for your operations, intellectual property, and client records. Work with us to keep ahead of cyberthreats and provide a strong cybersecurity basis for your manufacturing company.

Content provided by Adam Nunn.  

Adam Nunn is a Senior Manager in LBMC’s Cybersecurity division with extensive experience leading teams to enhance compliance and security. He transforms cybersecurity postures from reactive to proactive, aligning organizations with national and international security frameworks. As a respected advisor, Adam builds trust and fosters collaboration across all levels.