Many of today's ransomware attacks don't begin with a direct attack on a manufacturer. Instead, attackers exploit third-party access, compromised vendor credentials, or poorly secured remote connections to gain a foothold inside a production environment. The challenge for manufacturers is finding the right balance between operational efficiency and cybersecurity. You need vendors to support your equipment, but you also need to ensure those connections don't expose your facility to unnecessary risk. Here's what every manufacturer should know about securing remote access for equipment vendors and support technicians.
Remote access isn't inherently dangerous. In fact, it often improves productivity and reduces service costs. The problem occurs when remote access is implemented without proper security controls. In many manufacturing environments, remote access has evolved over time through a patchwork of solutions, including VPN connections, remote desktop software, vendor-installed access tools, legacy dial-up systems, shared administrator accounts, and always-on network connections.
While these methods may have worked years ago, they often create security gaps that attackers can exploit today. If a vendor's credentials are compromised or a remote access platform contains a vulnerability, attackers may gain access to systems that directly support production operations. For manufacturers, the consequences can be severe.
The Real-World Impact of Poorly Secured Remote Access
A compromised vendor connection can lead to:
- Production Downtime: Attackers who gain access to operational systems can disrupt manufacturing processes, disable equipment, or deploy ransomware that halts production.
- Data Theft: Manufacturers often store valuable intellectual property, production data, engineering files, and customer information within their environments.
- Supply Chain Disruption: A cyber incident affecting one facility can delay deliveries and create ripple effects throughout the supply chain.
- Compliance Issues: Many manufacturers must meet cybersecurity requirements established by customers, regulatory bodies, or industry standards.
- Reputational Damage: Customers expect reliability. A cybersecurity incident tied to an unsecured vendor connection can erode trust and impact future business opportunities.
Why Attackers Target Vendor Access
Cybercriminals understand that vendors often have trusted access to manufacturing environments. Rather than attacking a manufacturer directly, attackers frequently look for weaker targets within the supply chain. Equipment vendors, maintenance providers, and service contractors may support multiple facilities, so compromising a vendor can provide attackers with access to numerous manufacturing organizations simultaneously. This makes vendor relationships an attractive target for ransomware groups and other threat actors.
Best Practice #1: Eliminate Always-On Remote Connections
One of the biggest security risks in manufacturing environments is persistent remote access.
Some vendors establish permanent connections to production equipment for convenience. While this simplifies troubleshooting, it also creates a continuously available pathway into the network. Instead, manufacturers should adopt a "just-in-time" access model.
Remote connections should only be enabled when support is needed and under direct supervision. When work is complete, access should be disabled. Reducing exposure time significantly decreases risk.
Best Practice #2: Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Passwords alone are no longer sufficient. If a vendor account is compromised through phishing, credential theft, or password reuse, attackers can potentially gain direct access to critical systems. Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity. Even if credentials are stolen, MFA can prevent unauthorized access. For manufacturing environments, MFA should be required for all remote users without exception.
Best Practice #3: Use Network Segmentation
One of the most effective cybersecurity controls in manufacturing is network segmentation. Rather than allowing vendors unrestricted access across the facility, manufacturers should isolate systems into separate security zones.
Segmentation limits the ability of attackers to move laterally throughout the environment if a remote connection is compromised. A vendor supporting a packaging line should not automatically have access to financial systems, engineering databases, or unrelated production equipment.
Best Practice #4: Follow the Principle of Least Privilege
Many organizations grant vendors far more access than necessary. Instead, remote users should receive only the permissions required to perform their specific tasks. Limiting privileges reduces risk and improves visibility into vendor activity.
Best Practice #5: Monitor and Log Vendor Activity
You can't secure what you can't see. Manufacturers should maintain detailed logs of login attempts and remote sessions. Monitoring this behavior lets organization detect suspicious behavior and improve accountability between vendors.
If unusual activity occurs, security teams can respond before the issue escalates into a larger problem.
Best Practice #6: Evaluate Vendor Cybersecurity Practices
Vendor security should be part of every procurement and renewal process. Manufacturers should ask vendors questions such as if they use multi-factor authentication, how they manage access credentials, and if they have a dedicated incident response process. A vendor's cybersecurity maturity can directly affect your organization's risk profile.
Best Practice #7: Develop a Remote Access Policy
Every manufacturer should establish clear guidelines governing third-party access. A remote access policy should define who can access systems, how they can get in, the authentication requirements, procedures for session monitoring, and expectations for reporting. Standardizing remote access reduces inconsistencies and improves overall security posture.
Remote Access Security Is a Business Continuity Strategy
Many manufacturers view cybersecurity as an IT issue. In reality, remote access security is an operational resilience issue. As production environments become increasingly connected through automation, cloud technologies, IoT devices, and digital transformation initiatives, remote access will continue to play a vital role in maintaining equipment and supporting operations. At the same time, attackers are becoming more sophisticated in their efforts to exploit third-party connections.
By implementing multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, activity monitoring, least-privilege access controls, and strong vendor management practices, manufacturers can safely enable remote support while protecting critical production systems. Set up these systems today by scheduling your 15-Minute Discovery Call with American Frontier.
