23 April 2026
Maria Else explores the current cybersecurity environment and its effect on the factory floor.
The manufacturing sector is entering a new era of digital transformation – one where automation, robotics, and data-driven production processes are deeply embedded in everyday operations. While this transformation has created opportunities for efficiency and growth, it has also exposed manufacturing environments to new cybersecurity risks with the operational technology (OT) environment increasingly being targeted.
In response, policymakers are introducing tougher cybersecurity regulations. In the UK, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aims to strengthen existing frameworks and expand the scope of security obligations for organisations. Meanwhile, in the European Union, the NIS2 Directive – which came into effect in October 2024 – raises the bar for compliance across critical sectors, including manufacturing.
One of the most important aspects of the UK Cyber Security & Resilience Bill is its focus on operational technology. In many factories, production equipment is still controlled by legacy systems that were not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind….
