Manufacturing companies face relentless cyber threats targeting not just their networks but also their most valuable asset: intellectual property (IP). From automotive designs to semiconductor schematics, the crown jewels of the manufacturing sector have never been more vulnerable.
While traditional security assessments and annual penetration tests remain important, they often fail to replicate the complex, persistent attacks used by sophisticated adversaries. This is where Red Teaming services step in—helping manufacturing companies test, strengthen, and future-proof their cyber defenses.
In this article, we explore how red teaming protects manufacturing companies from cyber-attacks, why it matters, and how to implement it effectively.
What Is Red Teaming?
Red Teaming is a proactive, intelligence-driven approach to cybersecurity. Unlike traditional penetration testing—which usually focuses on finding known vulnerabilities in specific systems—red teaming simulates real-world cyber-attacks.
Red teams act like determined adversaries, using the same techniques cybercriminals, competitors, or nation-state actors would use to compromise critical assets. Their goal isn’t just to find a list of vulnerabilities, but to test the organization’s entire security posture: technology, processes, people, and physical security.
For manufacturing companies, where intellectual property theft, operational disruption, and supply chain compromise can have devastating consequences, red teaming delivers unique insights and actionable improvements.
Why Are Manufacturing Companies Prime Targets?
The manufacturing sector faces unique cybersecurity risks, including:
- High-value intellectual property (IP): Designs, production methods, and proprietary technologies are attractive targets for cybercriminals and competitors.
- Legacy industrial systems: Older operational technology (OT) was not built with cybersecurity in mind and is often difficult to patch.
- Complex supply chains: Collaboration with third-party vendors increases the attack surface.
- Low employee cybersecurity awareness: Engineers and plant operators often lack security training, making them vulnerable to phishing and social engineering.
- Limited visibility into OT networks: Many manufacturers struggle to monitor industrial environments effectively.
As manufacturing embraces Industry 4.0—integrating IoT devices, cloud services, and automation—the attack surface continues to expand.
How Red Teaming Services Protect Manufacturing Companies
Here’s how red teaming directly helps manufacturers reduce risk and prevent cyber-attacks:
Simulating Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
Manufacturers often face threats from sophisticated attackers who invest time and resources to bypass defenses. Red teams replicate these tactics, using stealth, persistence, and lateral movement to test how well your defenses detect and respond to targeted attacks.
By experiencing simulated attacks before they happen for real, manufacturers can close gaps in detection and response.
Testing Supply Chain Security
Manufacturing depends heavily on external suppliers and contractors, making supply chain compromise a major risk. Red teaming assesses how attackers could exploit third-party connections, VPNs, or shared systems to access the primary network.
This helps manufacturers strengthen vendor management policies and enforce secure access practices.
Identifying Insider Threats and Human Error
Employees can accidentally or intentionally assist attackers. Red teams often run phishing campaigns, tailgating exercises, or social engineering attacks to evaluate employee awareness and identify weak points.
Results guide employee training, awareness programs, and stricter access controls.
Exposing Weaknesses in Legacy Systems
Many factories rely on outdated machines and software, which often lack modern security features. Red teams search for default credentials, unpatched systems, or poorly segmented networks that attackers could exploit.
Findings help prioritize updates, network segmentation, and compensating controls.
Strengthening Physical Security
Physical intrusions remain an underrated risk. Red teams may attempt to enter restricted areas, plant rogue devices, or steal sensitive documents. For manufacturers, where designs and trade secrets often exist on physical media, this testing is critical.
Improving Incident Response Capabilities
Red team engagements reveal how effectively your organization detects, responds to, and recovers from attacks. This allows the security team to improve incident response plans, reduce dwell time, and increase resilience.
Compliance and Competitive Advantage
Red teaming isn’t just about preventing breaches; it can also support compliance with frameworks like:
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- ISO 27001
- CMMC (for defense manufacturers)
Demonstrating a mature cybersecurity posture through red teaming can also build trust with clients, investors, and partners—an important competitive advantage in today’s market.
How to Start Red Teaming in Your Organization
Thinking about red teaming for your manufacturing company? Here’s a practical approach:
- Define objectives: Focus on protecting high-value assets (e.g., design servers, R&D labs).
- Engage leadership: Secure buy-in to avoid internal roadblocks.
- Choose the right provider: Look for teams experienced in manufacturing environments and OT security.
- Limit operational risk: Red team exercises should be designed to avoid production disruptions.
- Plan remediation: Ensure findings lead to actionable improvements.
- Repeat regularly: As systems and threats evolve, regular testing is essential.
Real-World Benefits of Red Teaming
Manufacturers that invest in red teaming often gain:
Better visibility: Identify hidden vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
Stronger defenses: Improved detection and response to real attacks.
Reduced financial risk: Avoid costly downtime and IP theft.
Informed decision-making: Clear, business-aligned recommendations from security experts.
Conclusion:
Red teaming services give manufacturing companies the advantage of thinking like an attacker—before real attacker’s strike. By testing systems, processes, and people under realistic conditions, manufacturers can better protect their IP, reputation, and operational continuity.
In a world where cyber threats are evolving daily, relying on annual scans and checklists isn’t enough. Red teaming transforms cybersecurity from a compliance checkbox into a business enabler—helping manufacturers stay resilient, competitive, and trusted.
Ready to protect your intellectual property and critical systems? Contact our experts for specialized red teaming services tailored for manufacturing companies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A: Red teaming services simulate real-world cyber-attacks on manufacturing companies to identify hidden vulnerabilities across networks, systems, and employees before real attackers exploit them.
A: They test security controls, detect gaps in defenses, and strengthen resilience against cyber-attacks targeting critical systems and intellectual property.
A: Penetration testing focuses on finding technical vulnerabilities in specific systems, while red teaming takes a broader approach—simulating persistent attackers targeting people, processes, physical security, and networks.
A: Manufacturing companies hold valuable IP, often use legacy systems, and face targeted cyber threats. Red teaming uncovers risks traditional assessments miss, helping protect operations and reputation.
A: Yes. Red teams identify how attackers might access design files, trade secrets, and confidential data, allowing manufacturers to close gaps and secure IP.
A: At least once a year, or whenever major system upgrades, new products, or organizational changes occur to keep defenses current.
A: Professional red teams carefully plan exercises to avoid downtime or disruptions, focusing on realistic testing without affecting production.
A: Red teaming helps detect and prevent phishing, supply chain attacks, insider threats, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats targeting manufacturing environments.
A: While not always mandatory, many frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, and CMMC recommend red teaming or similar advanced security testing.
A: Start by defining your critical assets, choosing an experienced red teaming provider, and planning regular assessments to protect against evolving cyber threats.
