Are Your IT Services For Manufacturing Keeping Your Firm Secure?

IT Services For Manufacturing Protect Your Firm

Your manufacturing company has a lot of moving parts. And if yours is like most, you increasingly rely on technology to keep the lines moving. With the increase and diversification of consumer needs in the world today, there’s a constant requirement to improve everything from order taking to shipping while keeping your IT systems secure. Your IT services for manufacturing should be supporting that effort – are they?

You must make sure that the needs and desires of consumers are met, but there are new and very serious dangers from the increase in the number of cybersecurity attacks. No firm is immune. Whether you run a large or small manufacturing firm, you could be the victim of a cyberattack. Malware, phishing scams, and ransomware are the major ways you might be attacked.

What’s The Key To Cybersecurity For Manufacturing Firms?

The good news is that you don’t have to figure out cybersecurity from scratch – the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed the Cybersecurity Framework Manufacturing Profile, detailing each and every aspect of a proper cybersecurity defense for manufacturing firms.

1. Detect: Develop and implement the appropriate activities to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity event. The activities in the Detect Function enable the timely discovery of cybersecurity events.

   Examples of outcome categories within this function include Anomalies and Events; Security Continuous Monitoring; and Detection Processes.

2. Protect: Develop and implement the appropriate safeguards to ensure the delivery of critical infrastructure services. The activities in the Protect Function support the ability to limit or contain the impact of a potential cybersecurity event.

   Examples of outcome categories within this function include Access Control; Awareness and Training; Data Security; Information Protection Processes and Procedures; Maintenance; and Protective Technology.

3. Identify: Develop the organizational understanding to manage cybersecurity risk to systems, assets, data, and capabilities. The activities in the Identify Function are foundational for effective use of the Framework. Understanding the business context, the resources that support critical functions and the related cybersecurity risks enables an organization to focus and prioritize its efforts, consistent with its risk management strategy and business needs.

   Examples of outcome categories within this function include Asset Management; Business Environment; Governance; Risk Assessment; and Risk Management Strategy.

4. Respond: Develop and implement the appropriate activities to take action regarding a detected cybersecurity event. The activities in the Respond Function support the ability to contain the impact of a potential cybersecurity event.

   Examples of outcome categories within this function include Response Planning; Communications; Analysis; Mitigation; and Improvements.

5. Recover: Develop and implement the appropriate activities to maintain plans for resilience and to restore any capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cybersecurity event. The activities in the Recover Function support timely recovery to normal operations to reduce the impact of a cybersecurity event.

   Examples of outcome categories within this function include Recovery Planning; Improvements; and Communications.

How Should Your IT Services For Manufacturing Support Your Cybersecurity?

Cybercrime is on the rise. The techniques and tools available to malicious actors are continuously evolving. It makes sense to protect your technology assets.

The number one thing that business owners can do is to realize that they could become a victim of cybercrime and take action to prevent this. Stay a step ahead of hackers and keep your manufacturing business safe.

The truth here is very simple; it’s not a multi-point list, or a comprehensive, complicated strategy. The one thing to look for in IT security for manufacturing firms is a team that understands the manufacturing industry and the technology involved in it.

Manufacturing firms need to be confident that their security is a priority for their IT support. No addendums or clauses or clarifications. When they call, their IT support needs to answer them and address the issue.

By partnering with a security team that understands your work, schedule, and priorities, you can make sure the firm is kept secure by benefitting from an expert IT company’s knowledge, skill, and resources.

Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:

Will Your Business Be Impacted by the End of Microsoft Exchange 2010?

Everything You Need to Know About the Dark Web

Capital One Data Breach Affects More Than 100 Million Customers