Manufacturers saw 56% rise in cyberattacks last year

Cyberattacks against manufacturers rose dramatically in 2025 according to recent findings from Comparitech. The computer security research group recorded 1,466 cyberattacks against manufacturing groups in 2025, a 56% increase from the 937 documented in 2024. Law firms saw the second-highest increase, 54%, as it faced 121 more cyberattacks than the 225 it saw in 2024.

Cyberattacks are up across the board in general, Comparitech reported, but especially against businesses and government entities: Attacks against businesses rose by 35% to governments’ 27%.

Manufacturing also faced more cyberattacks than any other industry: Of 6,292 recorded confirmed and unconfirmed cyberattacks made against businesses in 2025, nearly a quarter were targeted at manufacturing firms. The next-most-targeted group, service-based businesses, received 1,079 cyberattacks, or 17% of attacks against businesses.

While the research group noted that data on ransoms and especially paid ransom amounts is spotty, a number of industries saw recorded ransom demands increase, including in manufacturing: Across the board, the average ransom fell 26% to $1 million, but in manufacturing incidents, average ransom demands went up by 121.8% from $523,000 in 2024 to $1.16 million in 2025.

Focus on Cybersecurity

The Industrial Science Report: Building the manufacturing workforce behind national security
From aerospace to energy, research investments aim to boost the talent pipeline in critical industries.

Cyberattack monitoring group estimates Jaguar hack cost UK $2.5 billion
An incident at the British automaker led it to shut down global manufacturing for almost a month.

Bridgestone North America hit by limited cyberattack
A company spokesperson said the impact was limited, and the incident is under investigation.