UK Manufacturers Report 30% Cyber-Attack Rate as Only Half Have Response Plans
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 10
UK Manufacturers Report 30% Cyber-Attack Rate as Only Half Have Response Plans
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 10
Summary
30% of 123 UK manufacturers surveyed said they suffered a cyber incident in the past 12 months, with attacks hitting either their own systems or their supply chains.
Half of manufacturers still lack an incident-response plan even as connected factories widen the potential damage from breaches and generative AI adds urgency to strengthening defenses.
30% of companies hit through suppliers reported customer delivery delays or output cuts, while nearly a quarter cited supplier delays or shortages of components and materials.
JLR's August 2025 breach shut systems across factories, offices and retail sites for weeks and cost the UK economy at least 1.9 billion, underscoring the scale of disruption a single attack can cause.
The UK government estimates cybercrime costs the economy 14.7 billion a year, and recent breaches at IMI, Smiths Group, Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods show the threat extends well beyond manufacturing.