January 14, 2025 Understanding the Network Imperative for Manufacturers

As manufacturing operations become more connected, operators need strong network security and operational resilience for success.

By Renuka Nadkarni, Chief Product Officer at Aryaka

The manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation, presenting a critical need to secure increasingly distributed network infrastructures. According to a recent survey on the state of network security in manufacturing, 76% of respondents maintain a hybrid environment, combining cloud and private data centers to support critical applications. The integration of connected systems, while offering immense benefits, has also created an expanded attack surface for malicious actors to exploit.

Effectively securing these networks is paramount, yet many manufacturers struggle with limited resources and the financial burden of modernizing. This has left them facing a cybersecurity balancing act. They’re trying to stay competitive while protecting themselves from increasingly sophisticated threats. It’s a tough job, especially when budgets are tight, and cybercriminals are getting smarter.

This article explores practical strategies and solutions to address these challenges, enabling manufacturers to enhance security, optimize operations, and establish robust global connectivity.

Effectively securing distributed network infrastructures is paramount yet many manufacturers struggle with limited resources.

Secure Your Network’s Future with Modernization

As manufacturers grow, expanding across multiple regions and adopting hybrid cloud infrastructures, their network architecture becomes increasingly complex. Most (98%) of manufacturers report operating large, complex networks with facilities spanning North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Companies still relying on legacy systems are finding they can’t meet modern security and performance demands. Establishing a future-ready network first requires modernization. Manufacturers should focus on consolidating outdated security appliances, upgrading to next-generation firewalls (NGFW), and implementing secure remote access.

There are four best practices to consider to successfully modernize:

• Conduct an Audit of Security and Access Needs: To get the best results, manufacturers should start by evaluating each facility’s security requirements and remote access demands. This will allow them to prioritize the most impactful upgrades.
• Simplify Management via SD-WAN and NGFW: SD-WAN and NGFW work hand in hand to simplify connectivity and security. This combination allows for more efficient policy management, thus enabling uniform security across locations.
• Don’t Handle Migration Alone: Companies should take the time to identify an experienced provider to help them streamline MPLS migration. Look for solutions that address both performance and security.
• Prioritize Scalability: Identify a solution capable of growing with the business, adapting to any changing security needs, and supporting ongoing network improvements.

 Drive Efficiency and Security Via Network Optimization

Now that the foundation is established, the next step is to ensure the modernized network is performing at its peak. This means looking at application acceleration, SaaS and multi-cloud connectivity, intelligent bandwidth management, and effective integration with existing security tools.

Key components to consider include:

• Unlock Enhanced SaaS Application Connectivity: Inconsistent cloud application performance can hinder productivity and increase operational risk. Companies should ensure their connectivity solutions can provide a seamless experience regardless of location.
• Implement Intelligent Bandwidth Management: Give critical applications priority by applying tailored Quality of Service (QoS) settings. This prevents bandwidth-intensive, non-critical applications from slowing down network performance, especially during peak demand.
• Make Space for GenAI: With the increasing reliance on AI-driven tools, manufacturers must ensure they have the tools to ensure these latency-sensitive applications can deliver fast, reliable access. This will enable GenAI’s use in real-time operations such as customer engagement and operational intelligence. To fully leverage these tools, manufacturers must ensure their networks are optimized for low latency and scalable performance. This involves prioritizing critical AI workloads through intelligent traffic routing and adopting edge computing solutions to minimize delays.

Securing the Broader Vendor Ecosystem

Manufacturers should work closely with their suppliers to evaluate the cybersecurity measures in place at every level of their supply chain. By ensuring that partners adhere to the same security standards, manufacturers can mitigate the risks posed by external threats. Steps should include:

• Monitoring Supply Chain Network Traffic: By extending network visibility into the supply chain, manufacturers can track and monitor data flows, identify abnormal activities, and detect potential vulnerabilities before they become major threats.
• Adopting a Zero Trust Architecture: Zero Trust principles, which ensure that every user and device is continually authenticated and validated, can be extended to third-party connections. Manufacturers should treat every connection with a third-party vendor as though it could be a potential threat, ensuring comprehensive verification before granting access to sensitive systems.

Building a Resilient Future

The cybersecurity and network challenges facing the manufacturing sector are complex, but with the right integrated solutions, they are far from insurmountable. Manufacturers that embrace a converged approach to networking and security will improve operational efficiency, bolster security, and position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly digital world.

About the Author:
Renuka Nadkarni is Chief Product Officer at Aryaka. A security veteran with 20+ years’ experience, she was previously CTO, Security at F5 where she drove F5’s foray into the security market. Renuka has a history of successfully building cutting-edge cloud and security products and launching new businesses for industry-leading brands.

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