Cybersecurity Training in Manufacturing: Insights from the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report

Cybersecurity Awareness and Education for Manufacturing Employees

Manufacturing facilities are filled with safety reminders like hardhat zones, restricted access, and danger signs. These warnings keep employees alert to physical risks. The same level of awareness is needed for cybersecurity threats.

According to the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), breaches in the manufacturing sector nearly doubled, with ransomware, espionage, and human error driving the majority of incidents. Just as training reduces accidents on the factory floor, awareness and education can reduce cyber incidents. Employees must understand their role in cybersecurity by recognizing risks, following best practices, and reporting suspicious activity.

The Human Element in Manufacturing Security

In the same way employees play a crucial role in protecting safety and reducing hazards, they also have the potential to make a difference when it comes to thwarting cybersecurity attacks. The 2025 DBIR shows that the human element was involved in 60% of breaches, whether through error, misuse, or falling victim to social engineering. Attackers increasingly exploit lapses in attention or understanding.

Manufacturing is a prime target with more than 90% of victims being growing organizations with fewer than 1,000 employees, demonstrating how resource-constrained organizations are particularly vulnerable. Fostering a culture in which employees are proactive about protecting assets and data goes a long way toward denying access to bad actors.

Why Employee Training Matters

Technology alone can’t prevent these attacks. Even with advanced detection and response, prevention starts with people. Cybersecurity awareness training helps employees recognize phishing attempts, protect credentials, and act quickly when something seems wrong.

Key statistics reinforce the need:

• 46% of credential leaks involved non-managed (BYOD) devices, often used by employees outside of IT’s control.
• Remediation times remain slow with a median of 32 days for edge device vulnerabilities. Training employees to recognize risks can shorten these windows of exposure.

By educating employees, manufacturers reduce the chance that a single click, reused password, or ignored patch will open the door to ransomware or espionage.

Building a Culture of Awareness, Education, and Reporting

Awareness

• Communicate clear, plain-language policies and reinforce them regularly.
• Connect physical and cybersecurity by using signage and reminders as dual-purpose prompts to be vigilant at points of vulnerability.
• Explain the consequences of how ransomware can halt production and how a breach can damage finances and reputation.
  

Education

• Provide training that reflects manufacturing-specific risks, from industrial control systems to supply chain vulnerabilities, using real-world examples and case studies to illustrate potential threats.
• Make learning continuous with onboarding, refreshers, and engaging formats like micro-learning, phishing simulations, and gamified exercises.
  

Reporting

• Normalize vigilance and empower employees to speak up without fear of blame.
• Provide simple, clear reporting mechanisms for suspicious emails or activity.
• Conduct incident response drills so employees are ready to act.
  

Strengthen Security Through Training

The 2025 DBIR makes it clear: manufacturing is under more pressure than ever, facing both ransomware and espionage threats. Yet the single most consistent factor in breaches is the human element.

By prioritizing cybersecurity awareness training, manufacturers can close gaps that attackers exploit, protect sensitive IP, and safeguard their operations. Employees who are prepared and proactive are the strongest first line of defense.