One in three UK manufacturers hit by cyber incidents, survey finds

According to a survey by the industry lobby MakeUK, 30% of British manufacturers reported a cyber-attack on themselves or a supplier in the last 12 months, frequently causing production downtime and added costs. Despite the threat, just half of the respondents have a formal incident-response strategy. The increase in attacks is attributed to a growing number of skilled hackers, including those supported by hostile states, and the emergence of generative AI capable of autonomous hacking.

High-profile breaches have hit Jaguar Land Rover, valve maker IMI and components producer Smiths Group, among others. The National Cyber Security Centre’s director of national resilience, Jonathon Ellison, warned that manufacturers can no longer treat cybersecurity as optional. Supply-chain disruptions were reported by about 30% of the surveyed firms, with roughly a quarter noting delayed deliveries or material shortages.