Production Lines, Logistics, and the Cyberthreats You Can’t Ignore. Here’s What’s on Tap
In manufacturing and distribution, success depends on uptime, precision, and supply chain continuity. You’ve invested in automation, lean systems, and digital tools to stay competitive, but so have cybercriminals. And now, they see your operation as a profitable target.
From hijacked production schedules to leaked vendor contracts, one breach can bring everything to a halt. And if you think you’re under the radar, think again. Manufacturers and distributors are among the most targeted sectors in today’s cyberthreat landscape.
That’s why Yeo & Yeo Technology is raising a glass to smarter protection. In our Brews & Cyberthreats series, we’re pairing the five biggest cyber risks facing manufacturers and distributors with a bold brew from Midland Brewing Company in Midland, Michigan. Because when the risks are complex, the lessons should be memorable.
Here’s what’s on tap to help you keep your lines moving and your data locked down.
1. Ransomware
Beer Pairing: Oktoberfest
Ransomware attacks can freeze your production lines, lock up supplier data, and cost you millions in downtime. Recovery is slow, reputational damage is fast, and every minute counts. Like traditional Oktoberfest, ransomware is bold, seasonal, and impossible to ignore when it hits.
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Backup systems regularly—onsite and offsite
- Segment your OT and IT networks
- Use endpoint detection tools with ransomware rollback
2. Malware
Beer Pairing: Boom Run Oatmeal Stout
Modern malware hides deep inside your systems, sometimes for months, siphoning data, credentials, or control. In manufacturing, legacy systems and outdated software can be malware magnets. This stout is rich, layered, and lingers like malware strains that quietly infect your environment.
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Patch your software and firmware regularly
- Limit internet access on production devices
- Scan all inbound and outbound traffic
3. Phishing
Beer Pairing: Dam Good Beer (Blonde Ale)
Disguised as supplier updates, invoice requests, or internal messages, phishing emails trick employees into handing over passwords, wiring money, or clicking malware. Light and approachable, this blonde ale goes down easy, just like a phishing email looks harmless until it hits.
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Run phishing simulations to train staff
- Enable email authentication protocols (DMARC, SPF, DKIM)
- Use MFA across your environment
4. Insider Threats
Beer Pairing: Copper Harbor Ale
Sometimes the breach is unintentional, such as an employee who misplaces a device or uploads the wrong file. Other times, it’s malicious, an ex-employee with access left intact. Familiar and comforting on the surface, this amber ale hides complexity underneath, just like insider risks.
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Offboard employees quickly and thoroughly
- Use role-based access controls
- Monitor file access and user behavior
5. Data Breaches
Beer Pairing: OPE! Michigan Hopped IPA
A breach exposes designs, blueprints, supplier contracts, or worse, proprietary manufacturing data. The cost isn’t just financial. It’s a competitive advantage lost. “Ope!” is what you say when you realize sensitive data just leaked. This bold, hoppy IPA hits just as hard.
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Encrypt sensitive files
- Set file-level access controls
- Perform regular vulnerability assessments
Final Sip: If Your Network Goes Down, So Does Production
In your world, every minute of downtime is costly. Every order counts. And every client expects delivery on time. Don’t let cyberthreats compromise your plant floor or supply chain.
At Yeo & Yeo Technology, we help Michigan manufacturers and distributors secure their systems, people, and intellectual property with a proactive, personalized IT approach.
If your business depends on precision, your cybersecurity should too.