Smart manufacturing is accelerating across Asia Pacific, driven by the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), robotics, and cloud computing. Government-led initiatives — including Malaysia’s MyDIGITAL blueprint and Singapore’s Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs) are further catalysing this shift, encouraging manufacturers to digitise, scale, and innovate.
But as digital capabilities grow, so does cyber risk. With IT and OT systems becoming more interconnected, the traditional boundaries between physical and digital infrastructure are disappearing — creating new vulnerabilities that threat actors are quick to exploit. According to Rockwell Automation’s latest State of Smart Manufacturing Report (SOSM), manufacturing is now the most targeted industry for ransomware, accounting for 21% of global attacks.
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern — it is a strategic imperative that belongs both in the boardroom and on the factory floor.
Cyber Threats Are Business Threats
A single cyber incident can bring operations to a standstill, compromise product quality, and ripple across global supply chains. This risk is particularly acute in Asia Pacific, where digital transformation often outpaces the maturity of security frameworks.
In the SOSM, which surveyed over 1,500 manufacturers globally, cybersecurity ranked second among external risks to growth, surpassed only by inflation. Over a third of respondents identified strengthening IT/OT architecture security as a key priority over the next five years.
Yet despite the awareness, many manufacturers remain underprepared. Challenges like outdated systems, fragmented networks, and limited cybersecurity talent make it difficult to establish robust, scalable defences.
AI as a Cybersecurity Catalyst
The adoption of AI and machine learning is rising rapidly, not just for efficiency and quality control, but also as a defence mechanism. Nearly half of manufacturers (49%) plan to use AI/ML for cybersecurity within the next year — a significant increase from 40% the previous year.
This reflects a broader shift in manufacturing’s digital strategy: away from reactive approaches, and toward a more proactive, AI-powered threat detection and response. In Asia Pacific, Cloud/SaaS, cybersecurity platforms and AI were ranked as the top technologies, underlining their perceived return on investment and impact on resilience.
Still, integrating these technologies into legacy environments remains a formidable task, particularly across the diverse and complex industrial landscape of Asia Pacific.
Security by Design: The Smarter Approach
Effective cybersecurity must be embedded from the outset — not tacked on after implementation. A “secure-by-design” approach incorporates risk assessments, network segmentation, multi-level access controls, and automated incident response at every stage of digital transformation.
This ensures that security scales with business growth and regulatory expectations, rather than becoming a limiting factor.
As the region grapples with evolving regulations and cross-border data governance, integrated security frameworks — supported by AI and real-time data analytics — offer a path toward resilience, agility, and compliance.
People Remain the Weakest Link — and Greatest Asset
Even the most advanced technology cannot eliminate the risk of human error. One weak password or neglected system update can expose the entire factory network to attack.
Creating a cyber-resilient culture is essential. From plant-floor operators to C-suite executives, every employee must be equipped with cybersecurity training, awareness of phishing tactics, and clear incident response protocols. Regular cyber drills and policy refreshers are proven methods to improve readiness.
There is encouraging momentum. The report shows that nearly half of manufacturers globally are hiring for roles in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics. In Asia Pacific, workforce-related concerns have slightly declined to 29% in 2025, down from 31% the previous year— suggesting progress in closing the talent gap.
Case Study: Securing Smart Transformation
A leading global pharmaceutical manufacturer collaborated with Rockwell Automation to embed cybersecurity throughout its digital transformation journey. With operations spanning 64 sites, the company implemented a multi-phase approach that included network segmentation, enhanced perimeter protection, asset inventory control, USB cleansing, and 24/7 industrial threat monitoring.
This initiative delivered real-time visibility into industrial control systems (ICS) threats, significantly improved incident response times, and established a scalable cybersecurity framework to support long-term operational resilience across its global footprint.
From Risk to Resilience
The path to smart manufacturing is no longer optional — and neither is cybersecurity. In a hyperconnected world, cybersecurity must be seen as a competitive differentiator, not just a compliance requirement.
Manufacturers who succeed will not only be digital-first — they will embed security as a fundamental part of their operations, understanding that true security requires continuous vigilance and adaptation.
Originally published on Security Brief Asia and IT Brief Asia
