Cybersecurity Awareness 2025 – Week 2: The 4 Essentials Every Manufacturer Must Master

10/08/25

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, manufacturers must double down on the basics. 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Week 2 spotlights four foundational practices that protect your operations, from the front office to the factory floor. Whether you are managing SCADA systems, coordinating with vendors, or deploying updates across distributed sites, these essentials are your first line of defense.

Passwords: Strength Starts Here

Weak or reused passwords remain one of the easiest ways for attackers to gain access. In manufacturing environments, this risk is amplified when SCADA or OT systems rely on default or shared credentials.

Best Practices:

  • Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
  • Implement a password manager to securely store and generate credentials.
  • Regularly audit login credentials for SCADA, MES, and other OT systems.

Manufacturing Tip: Avoid hardcoded passwords in PLCs or HMIs. If your OT environment supports role-based access, enforce it, do not let “admin” be the default for everyone.

Phishing: Do not Take the Bait

Phishing attacks are increasingly tailored to manufacturing workflows. Procurement teams, engineers, and vendor managers are prime targets due to their frequent external communications.

Red Flags to Watch For:

  • Unexpected invoices from “known” suppliers with subtle domain changes.
  • System alerts prompting urgent action, especially if they bypass normal protocols.
  • Requests for wire transfers or login credentials via email.

Real-World Example: A fake invoice from “supp1y-chain.com” mimics a trusted vendor’s format, tricking AP teams into processing fraudulent payments.

Pro Tip: Train teams to hover over links, verify sender domains, and report suspicious messages. Consider phishing simulations to reinforce awareness.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Lock It Down

MFA adds a critical layer of protection, especially for systems that control production, inventory, or financial data.

Where to Enable MFA:

  • ERP platforms (like Epicor Kinetic or Prophet 21)
  • Remote access tools (VPNs, RDP)
  • Cloud services (Microsoft Azure, email, file sharing)
  • OT gateways and remote monitoring dashboards

OT Insight: If your SCADA system supports MFA for remote access or administrative changes, enable it. Even a simple SMS or token-based second factor can block unauthorized logins.

Software Updates & Patching: Stay Current, Stay Secure

Outdated software is a playground for attackers. In manufacturing, this includes not just desktops and servers, but also PLC firmware, HMI interfaces, and industrial IoT devices.

Update Strategy:

  • Schedule regular patch cycles for production software.
  • Monitor vendor advisories for firmware updates on OT devices.
  • Prioritize updates for systems exposed to external networks.

Operational Tip: Coordinate patching with production schedules to minimize downtime. Use staging environments to evaluate updates before deployment.

Cyber Hygiene Is Operational Resilience

Cybersecurity is not just an IT concern; it is a business imperative. By mastering these four essentials, manufacturers can reduce risk, protect uptime, and build trust across their supply chain.

Let us make Week 2 count. Share these tips with your teams, reinforce them in your workflows, and keep your operations secure from the inside out.

2W Tech specializes in securing manufacturing environments by aligning IT and OT cybersecurity best practices. From implementing strong password policies and MFA across ERP and SCADA systems to deploying phishing awareness training for procurement and engineering teams, 2W Tech helps clients build a resilient defense posture. Our experts also manage patching schedules and software updates for production-critical systems, ensuring vulnerabilities are addressed without disrupting operations. Whether you are modernizing your infrastructure or tightening access controls, 2W Tech delivers tailored solutions that protect uptime and data integrity. Do not wait to learn more; give us a call today.

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