Why Uptime is the New Cybersecurity KPI in Manufacturing
Zscaler , Tuesday, May 20th, 2025
A technician arrives at your factory floor to service a critical machine, a routine task crucial for maintaining production flow. Instead of seamlessly connecting and getting to work, they are granted over-privileged access by network controls designed for a different era. Security measures, intended to protect your network, stall operations, and lead to production outages.
This isn't the result of a malicious cyberattack; it's an internal access issue. And the problem is, security is getting in the way of operations.
This common scenario begs the question: What if security didn't just protect data, but actively enabled operational uptime? In manufacturing, uptime is now a cross-functional Key Performance Indicator (KPI) essential to operational outcomes, production, and revenue. As we all know, downtime isn't just inconvenient; it triggers real financial penalties tied to customer Service Level Agreements (SLAs), delayed shipments, or lost revenue.
This article explores why outdated internal security patterns hold operations back. We'll also highlight how security can become an enabler of uptime and lead to a shift in how we think about cybersecurity in manufacturing.