The world’s factories are under relentless digital fire. According to Check Point’s latest Manufacturing Security Report, manufacturing organisations suffered an average of 1,585 cyber attacks per week in 2025, a 30% surge compared to the previous year.
In Africa, the figure is even higher, reaching 1,872 weekly attacks in just the last four weeks, revealing the continent’s escalating exposure.
Ransomware
Ransomware is the most destructive weapon against manufacturers. More and more, attackers exploit the reality that every hour of downtime equates to millions in losses. In 2024 alone, manufacturing represented 22% of all global ransomware victims, making it the single most targeted sector.
The fallout has been devastating. In recent years:
- Clorox (2023) saw $356 million wiped off quarterly sales after a ransomware-triggered disruption.
- Microchip Technology (2023) faced $21.4 million in direct costs.
- Schumag AG (2024) was pushed into insolvency after prolonged shutdowns.
- Nucor Corporation (2025), North America’s largest steel producer, had to halt production across multiple mills following a cyber breach.
“Attackers know that every hour of halted production can cost millions. That’s why ransomware groups view manufacturers as prime targets: they don’t need to steal sensitive customer data when they can simply shut down operations and demand payment,” said Lorna Hardie, regional director: Africa, Check Point Software Technologies.
Supply Chains: The Fragile Backbone
The report warns that manufacturing’s interconnected supply chains strengthen cyber risks. A single compromised supplier can cascade across thousands of downstream businesses, crippling entire industries. With Africa’s industrial base heavily dependent on Europe, its largest trading partner, the stakes are even higher.
Europe’s new NIS2 directive has introduced strict cybersecurity obligations for critical sectors. African manufacturers that fall short of these standards may jeopardise partnerships and risk exclusion from European trade networks.
Hardie stated: “African businesses must act now to comply with the EU’s NIS2 Directive or risk losing valuable revenue streams through their European trading partners.”
State Actors and Hacktivists Add to the Pressure
The manufacturing sector is not only hunted by cyber criminals but also caught in the crosshairs of geopolitics. State-backed groups are increasingly stealing defence blueprints, automotive designs, and advanced technologies. In one case, Chinese-linked actors targeted Taiwan’s drone industry, exfiltrating sensitive engineering data.
At the same time, hacktivists have raised their profile. Between 2024 and 2025, manufacturing accounted for 15% of all hacktivist attacks, ranging from website defacements to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) campaigns. Groups tied to conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East have explicitly targeted manufacturers to maximise political and economic impact.
A Boardroom-Level Risk
Check Point’s report explains that manufacturing security is no longer a technical issue. It is a board-level concern that directly influences revenue, reputation, and national competitiveness. The recommendations say invest in prevention-first defences, demand stronger cybersecurity from suppliers, protect intellectual property, and treat downtime as a top-tier risk.
“Executives who embrace these priorities are not just defending against today’s threats, they are building a competitive edge. In an industry where uptime, trust, and innovation drive market share, resilience becomes a differentiator,” Hardie said.
The Bottom Line
With cyber attacks against manufacturing growing in both volume and sophistication, factories can no longer afford to view cyber threats as background noise.
Be it from ransomware gangs, foreign intelligence services, or politically motivated hacktivists, the risks are converging on the heart of industrial production. For Africa in particular, surviving will depend on securing networks and aligning with global cybersecurity standards to keep supply chains intact.
