Why SIEM Should Be Part of Your Cybersecurity Strategy

Manufacturing facilities are experiencing unprecedented levels of digital connectivity, creating a cybersecurity landscape that evolves with concerning speed. We're proud to announce STACK Cybersecurity as a diamond sponsor of the upcoming Michigan Manufacturers Association Operations Conference on April 17.

The recent incident involving Zeeland-based Gentex Corporation highlights the urgency of robust security measures. This Tier-1 automotive supplier fell victim to a ransomware attack by the Dunghill hacker group, resulting in the compromise of 5 terabytes (TB) of sensitive client and employee data. Following Gentex's refusal to meet the attackers' demands, this information was published on the Dark Web and distributed to various manufacturing entities both domestically and internationally.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems have become essential components of manufacturing cybersecurity strategy, helping organizations detect, analyze, and respond to security threats before they escalate to crisis levels.

Understanding the Scale of 5 Terabytes

To explain how big 5 terabytes is in relatable terms for manufacturing, here are some comparisons:

Blueprints and Design Files: A typical CAD (Computer-Aided Design) file for a single part or assembly can range from a few megabytes (MB) to several hundred megabytes. Assuming an average size of 50 MB per file, 5 TB could store roughly 100,000 CAD files. This is equivalent to the design files for an entire manufacturing plant's worth of machinery and components.

Production Data: Manufacturing operations generate a staggering amount of data from sensors, machines, and quality control systems. If each machine generates around 1 GB of data per day, 5 TB could store data from 5,000 machines for a single day or data from 50 machines for 100 days. This data includes operational metrics, performance logs, and maintenance records.

Employee Records: Personal information, training documents, and performance reviews are often stored as text and PDF files. If each employee's record averages 10 MB, then 5 TB could hold the records of 500,000 employees. This is more than enough to cover the entire workforce of a large manufacturing corporation.

Email Archives: Email communications within a manufacturing company can also take up significant storage space. Assuming an average email size of 75 KB, 5 TB could store around 70 million emails. This could include years of correspondence, project discussions, and client communications.

Shifting Security Challenges for Manufacturers

Manufacturing operations face unique cybersecurity challenges. From industrial control systems on your factory floor to intellectual property in your design files, modern manufacturing facilities contain valuable targets for cybercriminals. Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in attacks specifically targeting manufacturing operations, with ransomware incidents causing production shutdowns and data breaches exposing proprietary designs.

The consequences? Production downtime, financial losses, damaged client relationships, legal issues, and potential compliance violations.

How SIEM Protects Manufacturing Operations

STACK Cybersecurity leverages advanced SIEM technology specifically tailored to manufacturing environments. Unlike generic security solutions, SIEM systems provide comprehensive, real-time monitoring across your entire manufacturing technology stack:

• Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous surveillance detects unauthorized access attempts before they can impact production systems.
• Correlation of Events: By linking data from factory floor systems, enterprise networks, and cloud applications, SIEM identifies coordinated attack patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.
• AI-Powered Threat Detection: Advanced algorithms identify sophisticated attacks targeting industrial systems before they impact production or compromise proprietary designs.
• Automated Reporting: Streamlined compliance documentation helps maintain standards including CMMC, NIST, and other manufacturing-specific security frameworks.

Real-World Applications in Manufacturing

SIEM technology isn't just theoretical—it's providing tangible security benefits in manufacturing environments today:

• Preventing Factory Floor Disruptions: SIEM identifies abnormal commands to ICS/SCADA systems before they can impact production processes, maintaining operational continuity.
• Protecting Intellectual Property: By detecting unauthorized access to design files and manufacturing specifications, SIEM helps prevent competitive espionage and protects your innovation advantage.
• Mitigating Ransomware: Early detection of encryption activities can prevent costly production shutdowns and data loss incidents that have devastated manufacturing operations.

Meet STACK Cybersecurity at the MMA Conference

We invite all manufacturing leaders attending the Michigan Manufacturers Association conference on April 17 to visit STACK Cybersecurity's booth. As a diamond sponsor, we're excited to demonstrate how our SIEM solutions are specifically designed to address the unique security challenges facing manufacturers today.

Our cybersecurity experts will be available to discuss your specific security concerns and explain how implementing SIEM can strengthen your overall security posture while maintaining operational efficiency.

Need Help Implementing SIEM?

Contact STACK Cybersecurity for personalized assistance with your cybersecurity needs.

Website: Visit https://stackcyber.com
Email: digital@stackcyber.com
Phone: (734) 744-5300