As cyber criminals increasingly target the manufacturing industry, Michael A. Stone told Automotive News that “the threat is real, the threat is large, and as we introduce more artificial intelligence capabilities, the easier it will be for bad actors to launch attacks."
Manufacturing, including automotive, experienced more cyberattacks in 2023 than any other sector. Shuttering an assembly operation is hugely costly, making these businesses more likely to quickly pay a ransom, a scenario that’s especially problematic for smaller suppliers that operate on tight margins and may not have the financial capacity to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure.
Stone suggests suppliers take the threat seriously and instill a culture that promotes good practices in cybersecurity from the top down. "You need to assume you're going to get attacked and need to have a plan in place and to know how to respond before you are attacked," Stone said. "I can walk into a company and ask their CEO about cybersecurity policies, and if they say, 'I don't know' or 'You'll have to ask my CTO or IT director,' I know they're in trouble."
It’s important that suppliers partner with capable attorneys prior to an attack to establish trust and attorney-client privilege. “That will enable a quicker response to a cyberattack,” Stone said.
Automotive News subscribers can read the complete story here.
Stone is a member of Warner’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Practice Group and chairs the firm’s Aerospace and Defense Industry Group. A retired Major General in the Michigan Army National Guard, Stone previously served as chair of the National Guard Association of U.S. Cyber Task Force and was a member of the Michigan Governor’s Cyber Executive Team.
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