Manufacturing Cybersecurity Must Bridge IT and OT Gaps

Author

Taylor Hawes
January 02, 2026

⚡ Weekend Threat Brief

U.S. Federal Cybersecurity Facing Fresh Strain

New reporting shows that U.S. federal cybersecurity efforts are under pressure due to staffing cuts and budget limits. Government digital defense agencies like CISA saw a reduction in workforce. This comes as cyber threats grow and federal systems remain complex and often outdated. The recent extended government shutdown added to delays in monitoring and patching systems. Experts warn that gaps in staffing and funding may increase risk.

Takeaway

  • Federal cybersecurity agencies lost staff and face high vacancy rates.

  • Hiring freezes and budget limits slow down essential security work.

  • Delays from shutdowns and furloughs could have left blind spots in national defenses.

  • Experts worry that capability loss now may mean bigger failures later.

🎯 Tactical Playbook

Manufacturing Cybersecurity Must Bridge IT and OT Gaps

U.S. manufacturing has become a top target for ransomware and other attacks as factories adopt Industry 4.0 tech. Legacy industrial systems were not built for network security, and they remain weak points when connected to IT networks. Security teams often operate separately from operational technology (OT) teams, creating blind spots. Unified monitoring and response tools that cover both IT and OT environments can help protect production lines and intellectual property.

Takeaway

  • Connected OT systems raise the risk of attacks that stop physical production.

  • Ransomware now aims to disrupt manufacturing operations, not just data.

  • Legacy systems that can’t be patched are frequent targets.

  • Platforms that unify visibility across IT and OT provide faster detection and response.

🛡️ Research Watch

Europe’s Cybersecurity Is Shaped by U.S. Support

European cybersecurity depends heavily on structures rooted in the United States. U.S. firms lead the market for tools like firewalls, endpoint detection, and threat intelligence. The U.S. also funds key elements of the global ecosystem, such as the CVE vulnerability database and open source security initiatives. This gives Europe access to critical data and resources. But it also means that changes in U.S. policy or spending could affect Europe’s ability to defend itself. Policymakers in Europe are urged to build capacities that reduce reliance on external support.

🧩 Tool Tip of the Week

Get More from NinjaOne Automation

NinjaOne is a remote monitoring and management tool that simplifies IT automation. To get the most from automation features, set up standardized scripts for common tasks like patching, software installs, and routine updates. Use NinjaOne’s built-in templates as a starting point, then refine them to your environment. Schedule automation to run outside business hours to reduce user impact. Monitor success rates and adjust scripts when needed to maintain reliability.

🗣️ Community Signal

There’s a tendency to think of cybersecurity as a technology issue. But in that there’s definitely technology at the core of it. But good technology that isn’t reinforced with public policy and not embedded in the expectations of how things get built through standards, or as you know, embedded in the social fabric of technology, can be a problem too. Tony Sager.

🗳️ Your Take - The Results

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Until Monday’s edition - Let’s keep that zero-day count at zero!