Cybersecurity Emerges as a Critical Risk for India’s Manufacturing Sector

Leave a Comment / Cybersecurity, Data Protection, Enterprise Technology, Industry News / By cxojunction

As India strengthens its position as a global manufacturing hub, cybersecurity is becoming a critical business priority. The rapid adoption of automation, AI, and connected factory systems is driving greater efficiency, but it is also creating new opportunities for cybercriminals. As manufacturing operations become increasingly digital, experts warn that cybersecurity must evolve alongside innovation to protect critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and business continuity.

Bajaj Auto reported a ransomware attack that disrupted parts of its IT systems, while Tata Electronics disclosed a cyber breach. Although both companies activated incident response measures and contained the attacks, the incidents have highlighted how interconnected factories, operational technology (OT), and supply chains are becoming attractive targets for cybercriminals.

According to cybersecurity experts, manufacturing remains one of the world’s most targeted industries. Kaspersky‘s Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Threat Landscape Report found that manufacturing was the only major sector to record an increase in attacks on industrial control systems during the first quarter of 2026, with Southeast Asia witnessing the highest activity. Vikash Yadav, Head of Enterprise for India at Kaspersky, warned that as factories become more connected, internet-facing OT at remote sites is creating a larger attack surface for ransomware groups, advanced persistent threat (APT) actors, and supply chain attackers exploiting smaller vendors.

The incidents also reinforce that cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern but a boardroom priority. With many manufacturers still relying on legacy systems, CERT-In has urged organisations to strengthen cybersecurity through vulnerability management, network segmentation, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring to defend against increasingly sophisticated AI-driven threats. Experts also warn that cyber incidents exposing sensitive data and intellectual property could undermine India’s ambitions to become a preferred manufacturing destination under the “China-plus-one” strategy.

For organisations and businesses, the takeaway is clear: as manufacturing becomes smarter and more connected, cyber resilience must become a strategic investment. Strengthening OT security, protecting intellectual property, and securing supply chains will be essential not only for reducing cyber risk but also for maintaining global trust and supporting India’s long-term manufacturing growth.

CXO Junction remains committed to delivering timely and impactful updates from the cybersecurity and enterprise technology landscape. Stay tuned for more industry news and insights.

Source: India’s Factory Boom Comes With a Growing Cyber Bill | ETCISO – The Economic Times | https://ciso.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/cybercrime-fraud/indias-factory-boom-comes-with-a-growing-cyber-bill/132206990