Manufacturing Cybersecurity: 61% of Professionals Plan AI Adoption

Rockwell Automation's 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report reveals that cybersecurity is the second-highest external risk in manufacturing, with 61% of cybersecurity professionals planning to adopt AI within 12 months to combat growing threats. The report surveyed over 1,500 manufacturing leaders from 17 countries and highlighted the importance of cybersecurity skills, with 53% of large enterprises emphasizing its importance. Despite challenges, 38% of manufacturers are utilizing existing data sources as part of their protective measures.

Rockwell Automation's 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report reveals that cybersecurity has become the second-highest external risk in manufacturing, with 61% of cybersecurity professionals planning to adopt AI within the next 12 months to combat growing threats. The report surveyed over 1,500 manufacturing leaders from 17 countries and highlighted the critical importance of cybersecurity skills, with 53% of large enterprises emphasizing their significance.

The report underscores the increasing integration between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), which expands the attack surface and raises the stakes for manufacturers. As manufacturers advance smart operations, the risk of cyberattacks also increases. To manage these risks, 61% of cybersecurity and IT professionals plan to adopt AI and machine learning (ML) for security purposes, outpacing general manufacturing by 12 percentage points [1].

Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue; it has become a boardroom concern. Stephen Ford, vice president and chief information security officer at Rockwell Automation, stated, "Cybersecurity is no longer just a technology issue — it's a boardroom issue. As IT and OT become more connected, the attack surface is expanding. Our latest research confirms what we’re seeing firsthand: Cyber risk is now one of the top threats to manufacturing growth. You can’t protect tomorrow’s enterprise with yesterday’s tools. AI is a critical part of the modern security stack, enabling manufacturers to detect threats in real time, maintain productivity, and stay ahead in an increasingly aggressive threat landscape" [1].

The report also highlights the importance of securing converged IT/OT architecture. 48% of cybersecurity professionals identified securing converging architecture as crucial for future success, compared to just 37% on average [1]. This underscores the specialized understanding among security teams about the vulnerabilities at the intersection of information and operational technologies.

Additionally, 38% of manufacturers plan to leverage existing data sources to drive protection, indicating a pragmatic approach to cybersecurity that balances innovation with practical implementation [1]. For larger enterprises with revenues exceeding $30 billion, cybersecurity practices are increasingly viewed as extremely important skill sets, suggesting that organizations with stronger security capabilities may gain competitive advantages in both risk management and talent acquisition [2].

The findings of the report underscore the need for manufacturers to proactively address cybersecurity risks and leverage advanced technologies like AI to stay ahead of evolving threats. As the manufacturing sector continues to digitalize, the integration of IT and OT will only increase, making robust cybersecurity measures essential for maintaining productivity and growth.

References:
[1] https://digitalmore.co/61-of-cybersecurity-professionals-plan-ai-adoption-as-manufacturing-faces-growing-cyber-risks/
[2] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/ROK/61-of-cybersecurity-professionals-plan-ai-adoption-as-manufacturing-hddanoxi4vlj.html