Manufacturing Security Quarterly Digest
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by equilibrium risk Summer 2025
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"Keeping You Informed on the Latest in Manufacturing Security" |
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1. Letter from the Editor... |
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Welcome to the latest edition of the Manufacturing Security Digest, where we explore the evolving risks — and the powerful solutions — shaping the future of UK manufacturing.
This quarter, we focus on the growing convergence of cyber and physical threats in the sector. As manufacturers embrace digital transformation, they’re also becoming prime targets for increasingly sophisticated attacks. In this issue, we spotlight how our integrated security solutions are helping manufacturers align with the UK’s 2025 Industrial Strategy — from protecting smart systems and critical infrastructure to enabling safe tech adoption and regulatory compliance.
We also preview an unmissable event: our Managing Director’s upcoming talk, “The Perfect Storm: Security Threats in the Manufacturing Sector.” This session will unpack why manufacturing is now the most targeted sector for cybercrime, the behavioural risks often overlooked, and the practical steps every manufacturer can take to reduce exposure and build resilience.
Whether you're a plant manager, IT lead, or business owner, this edition is packed with insights to help you navigate today’s complex threat landscape — and prepare for what’s next.
Thanks for reading, and for your continued commitment to securing the future of UK manufacturing.
Luke
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Focus: The UK’s Industrial Strategy (2025) |
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Strategic Overview
The strategy is a 10-year plan to transform the UK into the best country in the world to invest in, focusing on long-term economic growth, productivity, and resilience. It aims to:
- Increase business investment
- Support high-growth sectors (the “IS-8”)
- Strengthen regional economies
- Build a more agile and capable state
- Foster a new partnership between government and business |
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Unlocking Opportunity Through Secure Growth
The UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan sets out a bold 10-year vision to transform the UK into the world’s most attractive destination for manufacturing investment. It aims to nearly double business investment in the sector—from £21 billion to £39 billion by 2035—while creating over 1 million new jobs and positioning the UK as a global leader in innovation, sustainability, and industrial resilience.
But as manufacturers scale up, digitise, and decentralise, security becomes a strategic enabler—essential to protecting assets, ensuring compliance, and maintaining operational continuity.
🔧 1. Reforming the Business Environment
Opportunity: Manufacturers will benefit from reduced energy costs, streamlined planning, and easier access to finance and R&D support.
Security Implication: These changes will accelerate infrastructure development and digital adoption—making early integration of physical and cyber security essential.
- New gigafactories, robotics hubs, and AI zones must be secured from day one.
- Cyber Essentials accreditation and secure innovation practices will be expected across the sector.
- Export controls and data governance will require robust compliance frameworks.
🚀 2. Supporting Frontier Industries
Opportunity: The strategy prioritises six high-growth sectors—automotive, batteries, aerospace, space, advanced materials, and agri-tech—each with tailored investment and innovation plans.
Security Implication: These sectors introduce complex, high-value risk environments:
- Autonomous vehicles and connected systems demand advanced cybersecurity and secure testing protocols.
- Battery and aerospace facilities require hazardous materials handling and protection against IP theft.
- Space and advanced materials sectors face dual-use technology risks and nation-state threats. Security must evolve alongside innovation, embedding resilience into every stage of development.
🏭 3. Place-Based Growth
Opportunity: £160 million per Investment Zone will support regional manufacturing clusters in areas like South Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Glasgow.
Security Implication: Rapid infrastructure growth increases exposure to physical and operational risks:
- Strategic sites must be assessed for perimeter security, access control, and emergency response.
- Robotics Adoption Hubs and AI Growth Zones will require secure data environments and threat monitoring. Security providers must be involved early to ensure resilience is built in—not bolted on.
🤝 4. Partnership with Industry
Opportunity: The strategy calls for long-term collaboration between government and industry, with shared targets for investment, innovation, and workforce development.
Security Implication: Manufacturers will be expected to demonstrate resilience as part of funding applications and investment readiness:
- Supply chain security will be monitored through a new Supply Chain Centre.
- Compliance with cybersecurity standards and export regulations will be essential.
- Sector councils will shape best practices for secure innovation and risk management.
📈 Metrics for Success
By 2035, the UK aims to:
- Lead globally in innovation and automation.
- Increase exports and productivity.
- Achieve 35% female representation in manufacturing.
- Build a digitally literate, secure, and inclusive workforce.
Bottom Line: The Industrial Strategy offers manufacturers unprecedented opportunity—but only those who embed security into their growth plans will be truly resilient. Security is no longer a support function—it’s a strategic pillar of industrial success.
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3. Industry News & Trends... |
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Here's a deeper look at industry reactions to the UK's Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan. |
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The Manufacturer: "UK Industry's Quantum Leap Towards a Smarter Future" |
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In coverage of the 2025 Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit, The Manufacturer highlights how the strategy is being received as a “quantum leap” for UK industry. Manufacturers are particularly enthusiastic about the plan’s emphasis on:
- Digital transformation through AI, robotics, and smart factories.
- Regional investment in clusters like South Yorkshire and the West Midlands.
- Upskilling and workforce development, which are seen as critical to long-term competitiveness.
However, the article also notes that cybersecurity and supply chain resilience are top concerns among manufacturers adopting new technologies. Many are calling for clearer guidance and support to secure digital infrastructure as they scale.
To discover more, look here. |
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BBC News: "IMF Raises UK Growth Forecast" |
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While not focused solely on manufacturing, the BBC’s economic coverage notes that the UK’s industrial strategy is a key driver behind the IMF’s upgraded growth forecast for 2025. The article underscores the importance of:
- Public-private investment partnerships
- Infrastructure readiness
- Policy stability
It also highlights the fiscal risks of underestimating the cost of securing new industrial assets—especially in sectors like aerospace and clean energy, where geopolitical tensions and cyber threats are rising.
Discover more here. |
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4. Featured Security Solutions... |
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🔐 Securing the Future of UK Manufacturing: Our Role in the 2025 Industrial Strategy |
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As the UK government rolls out its Modern Industrial Strategy 2025, manufacturers are being called to lead the charge in innovation, productivity, and resilience. At the heart of this transformation lies a critical enabler: security.
Our integrated cyber and physical security solutions are designed to support manufacturers in meeting the strategy’s goals by:
- Protecting Smart Manufacturing Systems
With the rise of digital twins, IoT, and AI-driven production, our cybersecurity services safeguard connected systems from ransomware, data breaches, and industrial espionage.
- Securing Critical Infrastructure
We help manufacturers comply with NIS2 and other regulatory frameworks, ensuring operational continuity and resilience in the face of evolving threats.
- Enabling Safe Technology Adoption
As the strategy encourages rapid tech adoption, our risk assessments and security audits ensure new technologies are deployed safely and sustainably.
- Supporting National Resilience
Our physical security services — from access control to surveillance — protect facilities, assets, and personnel, reinforcing the UK’s broader resilience goals.
As the government invests in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital technologies, we’re here to ensure that security is never an afterthought — but a foundation for growth. |
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Two notable industry figures have weighed in: |
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Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK: “This is the most comprehensive industrial strategy we’ve seen in a decade. The focus on skills, innovation, and regional growth is exactly what manufacturers have been calling for.” |
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Dr. Hayaatun Sillem, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering: “The emphasis on advanced materials and AI is welcome, but we must ensure that security and ethics are embedded from the start.” |
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🧠 Equilibrium Risk Insight |
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From a security perspective, the strategy signals a significant shift in how manufacturers must think about resilience. With increased investment in high-value assets, digital infrastructure, and export markets, the risks are evolving:
- Cybersecurity: The plan calls for widespread adoption of AI, robotics, and digital twins—technologies that increase exposure to cyber threats.
- Supply Chain Security: The government is launching a new Supply Chain Centre and resilience metrics, which will require manufacturers to map and secure their operations.
- Physical Security: New gigafactories, robotics hubs, and R&D centres will need robust site protection, access control, and threat assessments.
As a security partner, Equilibrium Risk is uniquely positioned to help manufacturers align with these priorities—offering services that support compliance, resilience, and operational continuity. |
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6. Upcoming Events & Webinars |
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🎤 Don’t Miss This: The Perfect Storm is Brewing
Join our Managing Director for a powerful session that pulls back the curtain on the escalating security threats facing UK manufacturers.
“The Perfect Storm: Security Threats in the Manufacturing Sector”
Discover why manufacturing has become the #1 target for cybercrime, how invisible risks are infiltrating your operations, and what practical steps you can take to protect your people, processes, and reputation.
This isn’t just another industry talk — it’s a wake-up call.
🛡️ Secure your spot. Secure your future. |
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A selection of recent case studies & customer reviews... |
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Here, we have curated a selection of valuable security resources that we believe will be beneficial to you.
We provide them here to you FREE to help you make a more informed decision and build a more resilient manufacturing sector.
Download them by clicking on the image.
If there are any others topics you would like us to cover, let us know and we'll get on it! |
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Want to get in touch with us? You can do so using any of the methods below. We look forward to being in contact. |
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Equilibrium Risk. 3M BIC Firth Street, Huddersfield. W Yorks. HD1 3BD. United Kingdom |
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