Phishing in Manufacturing: Why It’s Getting Worse (and How to Fight Back)

Could a single click from one employee bring your entire manufacturing operation to a standstill?

Think cyber threats are mostly a problem for banks or big tech firms? Think again. According to the IBM X-Force 2025 Threat Intelligence Index, manufacturing is now one of the top targets for phishing attacks.

That’s because cybercriminals have shifted their focus from just targeting financial data to disrupting operations. They’re after production schedules, supplier systems, and anything else that can bring manufacturing to a halt.

Despite this, many manufacturers still underestimate phishing as a threat. Today’s phishing attacks aren’t sloppy or generic. They’re carefully designed to look like real vendor invoices, shipping updates, or internal requests.

At the same time, the risk environment has grown more complex. Legacy systems, remote teams, and a complex web of third-party partners all create new openings for attackers to exploit.

In this post, we’ll break down why phishing is getting worse for manufacturers and the tactics cybercriminals use. We’ll also explore the steps you can take now to stay protected.

 

Why Manufacturing Is Now a Prime Target 

From the outside, manufacturing might not seem like an obvious bullseye for cybercriminals. However, within the industry, attackers see opportunities everywhere. Here’s why:

 

Operational Urgency 

In most factories, even an hour of downtime can cost thousands. Attackers know this. If they can trick just one person into clicking the wrong link or sharing login credentials, they can potentially lock up an entire system and demand a ransom. Manufacturers are often under pressure to get things running again quickly, and the urgency makes them more likely to pay. 

 

A Complex Supply Chain with Weak Links 

Manufacturers deal with dozens or hundreds of suppliers, vendors, and partners. Each of these relationships involves email, file sharing, and credentials.

Phishers are now exploiting that web of communication to impersonate suppliers, spoof invoices, or inject malware into shared files. It only takes one breach in that chain to expose sensitive data or infect a broader network. 

 

Outdated, Unprotected Legacy Systems   

Several factories still have older, on-prem systems that weren’t built with modern cybersecurity in mind. Many don’t have multi-factor authentication enabled. Others lack consistent email filtering or endpoint monitoring. These leave wide gaps for professional-looking lures that blend right into your daily workflow. 

 

What Today’s Phishing Attacks Look Like 

Forget poorly written messages from mysterious princes. Modern phishing attacks in manufacturing are polished, personalized, and almost indistinguishable from legitimate business communication. Here are some of the most common tactics:

 

Business Email Compromise (BEC) 

BEC is when attackers pose as company executives, vendors, or even customers. They may send what appears to be a standard invoice or a brief request for payment changes. Because these messages look legitimate and often reference real details, they slip through traditional security systems. 

 

Spear Phishing 

Instead of casting a wide net, cybercriminals hand-pick employees based on their roles. They send highly customized messages to specific staff members using job titles, project names, or client details to make the email appear more credible. 

 

Phishing Through Shared Tools 

With so many companies using cloud collaboration platforms (like OneDrive, SharePoint, and Google Drive), attackers can now send fake file-sharing links to gain access. Clicking the link takes users to a credential-stealing login page or silently installs malware. 

 

How to Protect Your Manufacturing Business 

While there’s no magic switch to stop phishing entirely, there are proven ways to drastically reduce your exposure.  

 

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere 

Any system that doesn’t have MFA is a liability. Enforce it across the board, including VPN access, remote logins, and cloud-based tools. This step alone can block as much as 96% of bulk phishing attacks and 76% of targeted attacks. 

 

Build a Human Firewall 

Technology helps, but people are your first and last line of defense. Run monthly phishing simulations, highlight real-world examples during shift meetings, and reward employees for spotting suspicious emails.  

Be sure to make reporting easy and stigma-free. The goal isn’t to “catch mistakes,” but to create a proactive culture where everyone double-checks before clicking. 

 

Tighten Vendor Access 

Every outside party connecting to your network is a potential weak link. Regularly review who has access and shut down old or unused accounts immediately.  

Require MFA for all vendors, and limit third-party permissions to the bare minimum needed. Additionally, ensure that vendors have basic cybersecurity measures in place. 

 

Invest in Advanced Email Protection 

Basic spam filters won’t catch today’s phishing campaigns. Look for tools that offer AI-based threat detection, sandboxing of suspicious attachments, and URL rewriting to block malicious links before they reach the inbox. Some platforms can also flag lookalike domains and alert IT teams when phishing behavior is detected. 

 

How INVAR Technologies Can Help 

While these actions can dramatically reduce risk, most manufacturers don’t have the resources for round-the-clock monitoring, response, and staff training on their own. At INVAR Technologies, we use trusted tools and best practices to lock down your network from every angle.

Our team is available around the clock to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. In addition, we train your team to recognize and report phishing emails, because your system is only as secure as the people using it.  

Everything we do is tailored to your operation, workflows, and budget. With us, you don’t need a huge IT department to defend yourself. 

 

Fighting Back Starts with Acknowledgment 

Cybercriminals don’t care how many units you ship or how tight your margins are. They’re betting someone in your company will get fooled, click too fast, or bypass a step meant to protect the system. Don’t let them be right. 

INVAR Technologies works with mid-sized manufacturers to strengthen cybersecurity on the ground, on the shop floor, and across every system your team relies on. If phishing is on your radar (and it should be), we’re here to help you shut it down before it turns into something bigger. 

Reach out to schedule a consultation today.