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Cybersecurity Makes its Way to the Top of the Agenda in Manufacturing Boardrooms, According to Rockwell Study

Nearly a third of surveyed individuals identified cybersecurity as a major external danger impeding business expansion, with inflation and economic instability ranking slightly higher at 34%.

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Prioritization of Cybersecurity Moves to the Boardroom for Manufacturers, According to Rockwell...
Prioritization of Cybersecurity Moves to the Boardroom for Manufacturers, According to Rockwell Report

Cybersecurity Makes its Way to the Top of the Agenda in Manufacturing Boardrooms, According to Rockwell Study

In the realm of modern manufacturing, cybersecurity has emerged as a significant business concern. According to Rockwell Automation's 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, this trend is evident across various industries, including Consumer Packaged Goods, Food & Beverage, Automotive, Semiconductor, Energy, and Life Sciences, among others.

The report highlights a growing priority: integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into cybersecurity strategies for smart manufacturing. This integration is seen as crucial for proactive threat detection, enhancing resilience, and boosting operational efficiency.

Key trends and future plans outlined in the report include:

  1. Wide Adoption of OT Cybersecurity Platforms: The report reveals that 64% of manufacturers already run these platforms, with another 32% planning deployment within five years. AI-ready data streams are rapidly becoming central to hardened networks and operational gains.
  2. AI as a Critical Element in Security Stacks: AI and ML technologies help detect threats faster and maintain productivity in the face of evolving cyber threats. This makes cybersecurity a competitive advantage rather than just a compliance measure.
  3. Cybersecurity Integrated with Automation and Workforce Development: Manufacturers emphasize aligning AI-driven security with automation initiatives and building a cyber-literate workforce. This integration makes cybersecurity part of overall operational excellence and safety culture.
  4. Shift from Reactive to Proactive Security Postures: The report shows a clear pivot toward long-term thinking where AI, automation, and workforce enablement are central for sustainable growth and resilience against sophisticated cyberattacks.
  5. Cybersecurity as a Profit Lever: Executives evaluate cybersecurity investment not only by reduced downtime and audit hours but also by how AI-enabled security accelerates operational performance and business transformation.

The report also underscores the urgency to strengthen AI and ML capabilities as part of smart manufacturing strategies. Thirty-eight percent of respondents intend to use existing data to strengthen security measures, and an increasing trend among cyber and IT professionals is to incorporate AI or ML into their defense strategies against cyber threats.

One-third of the respondents have cybersecurity-related responsibilities across IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments. As cybersecurity skills are highly sought after, this underscores the workforce shortage issue as manufacturers invest in cybersecurity as a competitive advantage.

It's important to note that the report suggests that the increasing intertwining of IT and OT systems is a primary driver of cyber threats, especially with the rise of automated smart systems. Thirty percent of respondents consider cybersecurity as a top external threat to business growth, ranking below inflation and economic instability.

The survey was conducted among over 1,500 manufacturing leaders across 17 countries. Rockwell Automation's Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, Stephen Ford, emphasizes the importance of AI in modern security stacks for real-time threat detection and maintaining productivity.

The full report can be accessed at the specified location, offering a comprehensive insight into the future of smart manufacturing and the crucial role of AI-driven cybersecurity strategies.

[1] Rockwell Automation. (2025). The State of Smart Manufacturing Report. [Report] [2] Ford, S. (2025). The Role of AI in Modern Security Stacks. [Interview] [3] DMP. (2025). Introducing JamAlert: A Solution for Illegal Cell Jammers. [Press Release] [4] Anonymous. (2025). Cybersecurity Concerns in Manufacturing: A Growing Priority. [Article]

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