Cybersecurity Self-Assessment Resource
Download this resource to measure your appetite for cyber risk and to gauge your current cybersecurity status.
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Are contract manufacturers too small to hack?
If you’re a contract manufacturer, your world runs on precision, speed, and trust. Especially in the fields of Aerospace and Defense, clients expect you to produce error-free, efficiently, on time, and on budget. Indeed, the time is coming when CMMC certification will be mandated, and you could lose contracts if your cybersecurity is not up to par.
What would happen to your business if all work had to stop for a day or even longer because of a cybersecurity incident? What would happen if you lost your Department of Defense contracts?
In a recent Smithers webinar, cybersecurity strategist Robert McVay broke down exactly why—and how manufacturers like you can protect your operations, your data, and your customers.
Why You’re a Prime Target
Cybercriminals are shifting focus from large corporations to smaller, more vulnerable businesses, and manufacturers are a favorite target. Here’s why:
- 70% of cyberattacks now target small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with under 100 employees.
- Most contract manufacturers don’t have full-time cybersecurity staff.
- Ransom demands are lower—but attackers make up for it in volume.
- You’re likely connected to prime contractors, which means your cybersecurity framework can domino into also impacting much larger companies.
What is holding back your cybersecurity efforts?
Companies often have reasons for not making their cybersecurity infrastructure a top priority. Many of these reasons can easily be debunked, however.
“Cybersecurity is too complex.”
Not true. Many risks can be mitigated through practical steps like password management, employee training, and network segmentation.
“It’s too expensive.”
Like all investments, a strong cybersecurity defense takes both time and money to perfect. Consider, however, that the average breach for a small to mid-sized business is $5 million. Which is the more expensive path?
“We’re in the cloud, so we’re safe.”
There are pros and cons to storing data and programs in the cloud. However, cloud-based products and services do not serve as cybersecurity failsafes.
“I’m too small to hack.”
Hackers are increasingly targeting smaller businesses because it is known that those companies will have poor protection. As mentioned above, a cyber criminal can make up for small volumes with their quantity of successful attacks.
Cybersecurity Insider Threats
Over 90% of data breaches start with human error, not advanced hacking. Examples include:
- Clicking on a phishing email disguised as a shipping invoice.
- Leaving default router credentials unchanged.
- An executive opening a spoofed email titled “Executive Compensation Package.”
Anybody can make this kind of simple human error. In one test campaign, 94.7% of employees clicked—including the CEO who knew the email was fake. That is why cybersecurity is a business issue, not an IT issue. The return on investment for your cybersecurity infrastructure can be measured in:
- No production downtime.
- No compromised designs or IP.
- No breach of customer trust.
- No multi-million-dollar ransom.
What questions do you have?
Whether you are a contractor mandated to have certain cybersecurity controls in place or whether you are a manufacturer who simply wants to ensure your company is as risk-averse as possible, feel free to contact us. We are happy to help.