For a manufacturer, few things matter more than keeping production moving. When operations are interrupted, the consequences spread quickly across the business: missed orders, delayed deliveries, unhappy customers and lost revenue.
Yet manufacturing is facing a growing threat to that continuity. SOS Intelligence’s data shows that manufacturing has by far the largest number of ransomware victim listings of any industry we monitor – and that number is increasing.
Ransomware is a criminal attack that can simultaneously lock a company out of important systems and steal sensitive information, usually to extort large amounts of money from the business. For manufacturers, that can quickly turn a security incident into a much wider business problem.
Over a 30-month period, SOS Intelligence identified more than 2,100 manufacturing organisations listed on ransomware group leak sites. Our more recent UK data shows that upward trend continuing: manufacturing victim listings increased by 81% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous six months.
The consequences can reach far beyond the systems initially affected. Disrupted production can mean lost output and revenue, delayed deliveries and missed customer commitments. Suppliers and other parts of the business may also be affected, while recovery costs and prolonged disruption can put further pressure on cash flow and profitability.
Even when production resumes, the impact may continue. Manufacturers hold valuable commercial information, from product designs and engineering specifications to supplier data and proprietary processes. If that information is stolen, it can create longer-term risks for customer relationships, competitive position and reputation.
Businesses cannot act on threats or weaknesses they cannot see, making visibility and awareness a vital part of reducing ransomware risk. Effective monitoring can provide earlier visibility of external risks and warning signs, giving organisations the opportunity to investigate and address potential problems before they develop into more serious incidents.
SOS Intelligence combines continuous external monitoring with analyst expertise, helping organisations understand their exposure, identify relevant threats, and prioritise action. For manufacturers facing a large and growing ransomware problem, that visibility can significantly reduce risk, giving organisations the opportunity to identify and address potential problems before they are exploited.
For leadership, the question is straightforward: do we have enough visibility of the risks facing our business to act before they become a serious problem?
Header photo by Ant Rozetsky on Unsplash