Key facts
- 30% of British manufacturers experienced a cyber-attack last year.
- Cyber-attacks impacted production and costs for manufacturers.
- Sophisticated hackers pose an increasing threat.
- Generative AI is exacerbating the hacking risk.
- Only half of affected companies have response plans.
- The survey was conducted by MakeUK.
British manufacturers are facing a significant and escalating risk of cyber-attacks, with a new survey revealing that 30% of companies experienced such incidents in the past year. This trend, detailed in a report by MakeUK, has led to disruptions in production and increased operational costs for affected businesses. The survey underscores the growing threat from sophisticated hacking operations, a danger that is being amplified by the advancements and accessibility of generative AI technologies. These tools can be leveraged by malicious actors to create more potent and targeted attacks. Compounding the issue, the report found that a substantial number of manufacturers lack adequate preparedness. Only half of the companies that reported being hit by a cyber-attack had a formal response plan in place. This leaves a significant portion of the sector exposed and potentially ill-equipped to handle future security breaches effectively, suggesting a critical gap in cybersecurity readiness within the UK manufacturing industry.