Manufacturing's summer slowdown used to mean just lighter production schedules and skeleton crews. Now, it has become cybercriminals’ favorite hunting season. While facilities run lean operations, and IT teams take well-deserved vacations, attackers ramp up targeted campaigns to exploit these seasonal vulnerabilities. 

Recent threat intelligence shows a consistent spike in manufacturing-focused attacks like ransomware, phishing and supply chain attacks. So far in 2025, phishing attacks have accounted for 31% of all breaches. More alarmingly, up to 68% of breaches involved human error, much of it triggered by phishing.  

These risks amplify in manufacturing, where floor staff may not receive the same cybersecurity training as office-based teams. Attackers often time their campaigns with holiday schedules, exploiting the reduced monitoring and delayed response times that come with them. 

The good news, however, is that this predictable pattern means you can get ahead of it. 

The Unique Threat Profile Facing Manufacturers

Manufacturers must navigate a complex blend of legacy IT systems, specialized operational technology (OT) and sprawling vendor networks. This environment introduces unique threat vectors that are especially pronounced during summer. Industrial control systems and OT often harbor vulnerabilities that cannot be easily patched or upgraded without halting operations. Supply chain threats loom large, with attackers leveraging software updates, third-party vendors and partner portals as entry points into core systems. 

Social engineering becomes more effective in these quieter months, as attackers impersonate vendors, send fraudulent downtime coordination emails or request urgent system access under the guise of maintenance. The combination of thin staffing and high reliance on external providers creates fertile ground for deception. Moreover, gaps in system monitoring during this period give attackers more time to move laterally, establish persistence and exfiltrate data unnoticed. 

Turning Summer Into a Security Advantage

Rather than seeing summer as a liability, manufacturing security leaders can use this time to execute strategic improvements across their environments. 

A strong starting point is reviewing system access. Dormant and orphaned accounts, often belonging to past contractors, seasonal employees or long-gone vendors, can linger in the system unnoticed. Bad actors can easily exploit these forgotten credentials. Conducting an audit to identify and remove these accounts is a simple yet impactful step. In parallel, ensuring all active accounts operate under the principle of least privilege helps reduce exposure by limiting what an attacker could do with any compromised credentials. 

Another critical area of focus is patching. Legacy systems, especially those embedded in production environments, are often overlooked regarding software updates. While complete upgrades may be infeasible, even targeted patching can close off vulnerabilities frequently exploited in ransomware campaigns. This effort should prioritize known, high-impact weaknesses with a proven track record of exploitation. 

Summer also presents a rare opportunity to evaluate and improve monitoring infrastructure. With production lines running at reduced capacity, security teams can test and enhance their visibility across endpoints, cloud applications and network perimeters. Review SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems for coverage and accuracy. Prioritize remote access gateways, such as VPNs and remote desktops, since attackers often target them due to their direct access to internal systems and reduced oversight during off-hours. 

Equally important is engaging the broader workforce in cybersecurity. Floor staff, machine operators and support personnel are often the first line of defense, but only if equipped to recognize and report suspicious activity. Summer is an ideal time to roll out awareness initiatives. Tailor security messages to non-technical audiences and deliver them in formats that integrate into daily routines, such as pre-shift briefings, break room posters or simple, actionable guides posted near workstations. Even modest improvements in awareness can help prevent phishing attacks and reduce human error. 

Strengthening Operational Readiness Through Planning

To ensure continuous protection, manufacturers should review their security operations over the summer. Staffing schedules should be adjusted to guarantee minimum viable coverage (MVC), the lowest level of security or monitoring coverage an organization can implement while still meeting its core risk management and operational objectives.  

Can your network admin handle incident response when your security lead is camping off-grid for two weeks? If not, either cross-train people now or bring in external monitoring before you scramble to find contractors during an active breach at 2 a.m. on a Friday. 

Being proactive is essential. Organizations that wait for an incident before taking action often face longer recovery times, greater financial loss and significant reputational damage. Instead, the summer months can serve as a strategic checkpoint and a chance to reinforce security fundamentals, introduce long-overdue improvements, and prepare for the busier months ahead. 

A Season to Stay Ahead

Cyber threats don’t take time off. They don’t pause for long weekends or slow down when production lines do. In fact, attackers often become more active when organizations are least alert, capitalizing on downtime, distractions and reduced oversight. 

But the good news is that while cyber threats are sophisticated, they’re not unstoppable. You’re not powerless against them, and knowing where to act is half the battle.

For manufacturers, summer isn’t a season to slow down; it’s a season to lean in. Organizations can turn seasonal risk into a moment of resilience by strengthening access controls, patching vulnerabilities, boosting visibility through monitoring, and investing in employee awareness. 

Use this time strategically. Those who take action now will avoid disruption and lay the foundation for a more secure, agile and sustainable future. 

Matt Warner is CEO and co-founder of Blumira.