61% of Cybersecurity Experts Plan AI Adoption as Manufacturing Faces Growing Cyber Risks

Global State of Smart Manufacturing Report finds cybersecurity is now the top external concern after economic conditions

Rockwell Automation released the cybersecurity findings from its 10th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report.” Drawing insights from more than 1,500 manufacturing leaders across 17 of the top manufacturing countries, including India. The report reflects how cybersecurity is becoming a central business issue. One third of respondents have direct information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) cybersecurity responsibilities.

As manufacturers advance smart operations, the integration between IT and OT increases the risk of cyberattacks. The report shows that manufacturers are beginning to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help manage these risks to strengthen protection.

Commenting about the key cybersecurity insights from the report, Dilip Sawhney, managing director, Rockwell Automation India, said: “For Indian manufacturers, the rapid adoption of smart manufacturing technologies is unlocking new growth opportunities, but it also introduces new vulnerabilities. The convergence of IT and OT demands a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Having a robust cybersecurity posture empowers manufacturers to proceed confidently with their digital transformation plans.”

AI is emerging as a powerful ally, enabling real-time threat detection, faster incident response, and sustained operational resilience. In today’s competitive and fast-changing market, cyber readiness is not just a protective measure, but a strategic differentiator for Indian industry,” added Dilip.

Key global cybersecurity findings include:

• Cyber threats are among the most serious external risks. Cybersecurity (30%) now ranks among the top external risks, second only to inflation and economic growth (34%).
• Security teams accelerate AI adoption. 61% of cybersecurity and IT professionals plan AI and machine learning (ML) adoption for security in the next 12 months, outpacing general manufacturing by 12 percentage points.
• Cybersecurity tops smart manufacturing use cases. 38% of manufacturers plan to use data collected from current sources to drive protection.
• IT/OT security takes center stage. 48% of cybersecurity professionals identified securing converging architecture as a key to positive outcomes over the next five years, compared to just 37% on average.
• Cyber readiness is a growing talent priority. More than half (53%) of respondents from cybersecurity and IT roles at companies of $30 billion or more identified cybersecurity practices and standards as extremely important skill sets, compared to 47% of all respondents.

Workforce development continues to be a major hurdle. A shortage of skilled talent, training challenges and rising labor costs remain significant barriers to competition. As manufacturers recruit the next generation, cybersecurity and analytical skills are also becoming hiring priorities, reinforcing the need to align technical innovation with human development.