If you run a manufacturing business, here’s something you need to hear: your industry is now the single most targeted sector for ransomware attacks in the world. Not healthcare. Not finance. Manufacturing. And the numbers are alarming enough that this deserves your full attention.
Watch Albert’s take on this story:
What Happened
According to research from Huntress, ransomware attacks on manufacturing companies increased by 61% year over year, making manufacturing the number one ransomware target across all industries. Manufacturing now accounts for 17% of all cyberattacks — up from just 9% in 2024. Attackers are drawn to manufacturers because of the valuable intellectual property, production data, and in many cases, supply chain or defense-related information they hold. Critically, attackers don’t know or care whether you’re producing specialized aerospace components or general sheet metal parts — they target the entire sector.
What This Means for Your Business
You might think that because your shop doesn’t do classified defense work, you’re not a high-value target. That assumption is exactly what attackers are counting on. Security through obscurity doesn’t work on the internet — nobody is obscure enough to be skipped. Ransomware attacks on manufacturers aim to steal proprietary processes, disrupt production lines, and extort businesses that simply cannot afford downtime. For manufacturers in Michigan and Illinois, this is not a distant threat. The steps that protect you are the same ones ACS already emphasizes: keep computers on overnight so patches can deploy, maintain verified backups that are tested regularly, and invest in endpoint protection that detects threats before they can execute.
The Bottom Line
Manufacturing is the #1 ransomware target — and attacks are up 61% in a single year. The threat doesn’t distinguish between large and small shops, or between defense contractors and general manufacturers. Staying current on patches, maintaining solid backups, and working with a proactive IT partner are your strongest defenses. We’re here to make sure you’re not the next headline.
Ready to strengthen your manufacturing security posture? Schedule a security review with ACS.
Catch the full Nerds News episode: Watch on YouTube | Read the full recap