Cybersecurity key in digital manufacturing: Report

Global manufacturers should ramp up their efforts in securing cyberspace and the safety of production lines during the process of digital transformation by continuously optimizing their defense systems to deal with potential cyberattacks, industry experts said.

The manufacturing, wholesale and retail, as well as legal consulting industries are the most vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, according to a recent by Palo Alto Networks, a global cybersecurity service provider.

It is getting harder to put aside cybersecurity issues as the manufacturing industry goes on the intelligent and digital track. "In the context of Industry 4.0 and the industrial internet, robots are used almost everywhere on production lines to realize fully automated operations. Therefore, the safety of the entire production line will be under risk once attacked, which will lead to great losses," said Chen Wenjun, president of Palo Alto Networks Greater China.

The vulnerability of the manufacturing industry also comes from its low tolerance for downtime — even a temporary suspension caused by a cyberattack may halt business at full scale, said presale manager Dong Chuntao. This is why ransomware attacks tend to target manufacturers in both traditional and emerging sectors and make profits, Dong added. Protection of the large amount of data generated during digital transformation is also a major challenge for companies.

"Proactive defense is very important. It is necessary to introduce high-end technologies and anti-malware solutions in advance," Dong said.

The report also mentioned most cyberattacks against Chinese companies are from overseas ransomware organizations such as Lockbit, Hive and Blackcat, who usually aim to obtain commercial returns through cryptocurrencies.

In order to boost cyberspace governance, the State Council Information Office issued a white paper titled "China's Law-Based Cyberspace Governance in the New Era" in March, which illustrated ways to improve cyberspace legislation, enhance cybersecurity awareness and establish a good internet ecology during the country's digital upgrade.