The Line Kept Moving

The line kept moving…Robotic arms spun, conveyors hummed, dashboards glowed green. Production targets were met. KPIs looked strong. No alarms. No downtime.
But deep inside a vendor-supplied diagnostic tool, hidden in a third-tier machine on the welding line, malware was quietly mapping the network.
It did not crash the system. It did not corrupt the product. It just watched.



For nineteen days, it siphoned production data, credentials, and supplier contracts. It logged every configuration change and every system update. It had all the time in the world because everything looked normal. By the time IT spotted the unusual spike in outbound traffic, the attacker already had everything they needed to replicate the process or sabotage it later.

Manufacturing

operational continuity is often the main focus

In manufacturing, operational continuity is often the main focus, downtime is the feared enemy.
What is easy to forget is that surveillance can be silent.
Smart sensors can be turned against you.
Supplier firmware updates can carry hidden threats.
A single infected laptop on the factory floor can be enough to compromise an entire production network. And when the line keeps moving, no one suspects a thing.
Industrial IoT has transformed manufacturing, creating efficiency and insight that were impossible a decade ago. It has also created new opportunities for attackers.
Programmable logic controllers with weak credentials.
Legacy protocols without encryption.
Flat networks without segmentation.

Cybersecurity in operational technology is not just about patching servers. It is about protecting machines, firmware, and processes from manipulation.

 

Monitoring behaviour, not only endpoints.

True resilience comes from securing the process

True resilience comes from securing the process, not just the perimeter. That means monitoring behaviour, not only endpoints.


  • Auditing suppliers for software integrity.
  • Separating OT and IT networks as standard practice.
  • Training operators to recognise subtle anomalies.

 

The most dangerous breach is not the one that stops production. 
It is the one that learns from it.
And by the time you know it is there, the damage is already automated.

How Alexsta Cybersecurity Helps

We work with manufacturers to detect, contain, and prevent cyber threats in both IT and OT environments, ensuring that production remains secure without sacrificing efficiency.

Operational Technology Security Assessment


We identify vulnerabilities in machinery control systems, PLCs, and connected devices, ensuring proper segmentation from corporate IT.

Threat Hunting and Anomaly Detection

We look for unusual patterns in production and machine behaviour to spot early signs of compromise.

Supply Chain Cybersecurity Audits

We verify the integrity of vendor firmware, software updates, and connected services to prevent supply chain compromise.

Incident Response and Digital Forensics

We move quickly to contain a breach, analyse how it happened, and protect the evidence needed for insurers and regulators.

SOC for OT Environments

We provide round-the-clock monitoring for industrial systems with alerts tuned to manufacturing processes.

Operator and Engineer Training

We teach factory teams how to identify and respond to suspicious system behaviour. Business Continuity and Recovery Planning. We ensure critical production lines can be restored quickly and securely after an incident.

In manufacturing, the absence of alarms does not mean the absence of threats.
At Alexsta Cybersecurity, we make sure your production stays secure, your processes stay yours, and your business stays in control.

Alexsta doesn’t just react
we prepare, position, and protect

When you work with us, you gain more than a cybersecurity service. You gain a strategic sentinel committed to your resilience.