consider the paragraph

The rise of cyber threats poses a significant challenge to the industry$’$s continued growth and innovation. Over the past few years, manufacturers have increasingly recognised the urgent need to fortify their cybersecurity defences as the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks continue to escalate.

The manufacturing sector, once considered immune to cyber threats, has become a prime target for organised cybercriminals. Highprofi le attacks on various industries, including food processing, consumer packaged goods, and energy companies, have shifted the risk of cyberattacks from a theoretical concern to a stark reality.

According to Asia $2022$ Operational Technology Cybersecurity Report $96$ percent of OT organisations experienced at least one intrusion in the past $12$ months and $90$ percent had more than three intrusions. In India $29$ percent of organisations which had OT systems impacted by intrusions also had their IT environments impacted by the intrusion.

OT organisations don$’$t have flexibility when it comes to downtime, yet $92$ percent of Indian organisations took hours and more to return to service after an intrusion while $60$ percent took days, weeks and months to return to service after an intrusion. Among these incidents, phishing, malware, spyware, and ransomware were the most commonly reported security issues.

The manufacturing industry$’$s heightened awareness of cybersecurity risks is underscored by the fact that over $80$ percent of companies experienced at least one cybersecurity breach resulting in unauthorised access to data in the past year. Among these incidents, phishing, malware, spyware, and ransomware were the most commonly reported security issues.

However, challenges persist. Many manufacturers are still grappling with the security implications of outdated equipment adopting a $‘$run until it dies$’$ mentality. The diffi culty in patching legacy devices and the scarcity of skilled personnel compound these challenges, creating a pressing need for innovative solutions. The shortage of cybersecurity talent, in particular, poses a risk, as it hinders the ability to fi ll open OT security positions and can lead to team burnout.

The critical role of collaboration between information technology $($IT$)$ and operational technology $($OT$)$ cannot be overstated. Effective IT$/$ OT collaboration is identifi ed as a key factor in the success of digital initiatives.

As manufacturers navigate the complexities of digital transformation, adopting smart factory tools and leveraging technologies such as machine learning, the Industrial Internet of Things $($IoT$),$ digital twins, cloud, and artifi cial intelligence $($AI$),$ they must simultaneously prioritise cybersecurity. The benefi ts of digital transformation are undeniable, but increased connectivity also heightens vulnerability to cyberattacks.

As the manufacturing industry experiences a surge in investments, expansion, and technological adoption, the parallel increase in cyber threats demands a comprehensive and proactive approach to cybersecurity. Manufacturers must accelerate their efforts to address vulnerabilities, fortify their defences, and foster collaboration between IT and OT teams to stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape. The future of manufacturing hinges not only on technological innovation but also on the resilience of its cybersecurity infrastructure.

Identify the threats