Why Is Manufacturing Such a Huge Target for Cyberattacks? (Smart Industry)

From Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast by Endeavor Business Media’s Manufacturing Group

April 7, 2026 · 24 min · Episode 387

About this episode

The episode discusses why manufacturers are prime targets for cyberattacks and the implications for operations and supply chains.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Jennifer Szkatulski of Immersive Labs talks with Smart Industry's Sarah Mattalian about why manufacturers are prime targets for cyberattacks, particularly ransomware, and the far-reaching impact on operations and supply chains. She breaks down how attacks occur—from phishing and credential theft to system infiltration—and how even IT breaches can disrupt production environments. The conversation also highlights emerging risks tied to AI, insider vulnerabilities, and interconnected supplier networks.

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Mattalian

Guest: Jennifer Szkatulski

Topics covered

cyberattacks
manufacturing
ransomware
supply chains
AI risks
insider vulnerabilities

Keywords

cybersecurity
manufacturing
ransomware
phishing
credential theft
AI
supply chain risks

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Immersive Labs, Smart Industry