Ransomware in Manufacturing: The OT/I.T. Convergence Risk Nobody Budgeted For

Ransomware crews target manufacturers specifically because downtime is so expensive that paying can look cheaper than waiting — which is exactly why prevention pays for itself.

The practical takeaway is the same one that runs every good production line: standardize the process, document it, and measure it. Technology should make that easier, not add another variable you have to babysit.

Start with the highest-risk, lowest-visibility part of your environment — usually backups, patching, or access control — and bring it under a documented, monitored standard before moving on.