Cyber security training for employees in manufacturing: protecting your business from within

12 Sep Cyber security training for employees in manufacturing: protecting your business from within

Cyber security awareness training is crucial for employees. Forget firewalls and monitoring tools for a moment: if someone clicks a malicious link, reuses a weak password, or ignores a warning sign, they could open the doors to an attacker.

Human error accounts for the majority of breaches worldwide, and Australia’s manufacturing sector has been among the hardest hit by cyberattacks in recent years. Small manufacturing businesses in particular face rising pressure. A single mistake can halt production, expose sensitive data, and undermine client trust.

Many of these incidents could be prevented with training. When employees are equipped to recognise, resist, and report threats, manufacturers not only protect intellectual property but also safeguard the continuity of their operations. This blog explores why cyber security awareness training matters in manufacturing, practical training options, and how small manufacturing businesses can build a culture of resilience.

What is cyber security awareness training for employees?

Cyber security awareness training is a structured program designed to help employees identify, avoid, and respond to cyber threats. Instead of relying only on technology, businesses strengthen their security posture by equipping staff with the knowledge and habits needed to act as the first line of defence.

The importance of cyber security awareness training for employees lies in prevention. Trained staff are less likely to fall victim to scams and more likely to protect critical business systems.

Key outcomes of training include:

• Recognising phishing attempts before clicking or replying.
• Handling sensitive files securely, ensuring data isn’t exposed.
• Escalating issues quickly, so small problems don’t become major breaches.
• Building safe daily habits like cautious clicks, strong password hygiene, and confident reporting of suspicious activity.

Awareness is not enough. You need to Build a Culture of Cyber Awareness.

Why small manufacturing businesses need cyber security training

For small manufacturers, the stakes are high. In a small company, a single cyber incident can disrupt production, compromise sensitive data, and undermine client trust. Australia’s manufacturing sector is under real threat. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has made it clear that cyber security awareness training for employees in Australia is no longer optional. Recent data from the ACSC shows that critical infrastructure accounted for over 11% of cyber incidents in FY 2023–24.

Key risks faced by small manufacturers include:

• Intellectual property theft: Designs, processes, and client data are valuable targets.
• Ransomware: Attacks can lock production systems, forcing costly downtime.
• Supply chain risks: Weak links in one small business can compromise larger networks.

Want to learn more about the current threats? Here are some of the Common Cyber Threats in 2025.

Types of cyber security awareness training available

Training must align with the realities of small businesses. For manufacturers, where production schedules are tight and downtime is costly, flexibility is important.

The main delivery options are:

• In-person training: Highly engaging and effective for Q&A, but less practical for businesses with rotating shifts.
• Online cyber security awareness training for employees: Cost-effective, flexible, and scalable. Modules can be completed at any time, minimising production disruption.

For manufacturers, a hybrid approach works best: use in-person sessions to launch or refresh, then maintain momentum with ongoing online modules.

Cost considerations

Many small manufacturing businesses assume training is prohibitively expensive, but that’s a misconception. Recovery costs after a breach, such as lost production, freight delays, reputational damage, almost always outweigh the investment in training. Online delivery makes high-quality programs even more affordable without sacrificing impact.

Don’t let a breach cost you. Read about recent security breaches, including a ransomware attack on a global car manufacturer.

Key topics covered in effective cyber security training

For training to make an impact, it must reflect the real risks employees encounter every day. Small manufacturing businesses are often targeted through tactics like phishing emails, malware-laced downloads, weak passwords, and poor reporting habits.

By addressing these areas directly, employees gain the skills and confidence to act as the first line of defence.

• Phishing and social engineering: Training employees to spot fraudulent emails, fake invoices, and supplier impersonation scams.
• Password management and MFA: Emphasising long passwords (14+ characters) rather than complex symbols, supported by multi-factor authentication to prevent credential theft.
• Safe internet and email practices: Avoiding suspicious links, malicious downloads, and insecure Wi-Fi connections.
• Data handling: Covering not only the storage, transfer, and disposal of sensitive files, but also how and where data is accessed, and by whom.
• Incident reporting: Giving staff clear, simple steps to report suspicious activity quickly, so threats are escalated before damage occurs.

Together, these represent manufacturing cyber security best practices, ensuring employees apply consistent, practical protections.

For additional guidance, see our Essential Tips For Cyber Hygiene in 2025.

Building a culture of cyber awareness in manufacturing

Cyber awareness training truly works when it’s woven into the culture of manufacturing teams, not treated like a one-off task. For manufacturers, where every minute counts and risks abound, consistency and leadership matter.

• Ongoing engagement: Schedule regular micro-sessions, refreshers, or brief workshops that reinforce key lessons on a set cadence. Don’t let training fade after launch.
• Leadership support: Have managers lead by example. Use MFA, report phishing attempts openly, and praise team members who spot or report suspicious activity.
• Accountability without blame: Encourage staff to see themselves as a defender of manufacturing data. Reward threat reporting and make it safe to speak up if someone makes a mistake.

The ACSC advises that developing cyber culture through awareness, leadership and shared responsibility, is key to building lasting protection, not just ticking a compliance box.

In the financial year of 2023-24, the ACSC handled over 1100 security incidents, with more than 11% involving critical infrastructure networks like manufacturing.

You need to be proactive, and you can learn how: Proactive vs Reactive Approaches to Cyber Threats.

Measuring the effectiveness of cyber security training

Training is only valuable if it leads to real behavioural change. You ultimately want to reduce human error and protect sensitive information. Measuring effectiveness is critical:

• Assessments and quizzes: Gauge employee understanding after training modules.
• Simulated phishing exercises: Safe, controlled tests that mimic attacker tactics to show how staff respond and reinforce good habits. Results can highlight click rates, reporting rates, and departmental risk levels to pinpoint where awareness is strong and where improvement is needed.
• Monitoring incident reports: Tracking the volume and speed of reporting shows whether employees are more alert and confident in escalating issues.
• Regular refreshers: Short sessions keep staff alert to new scams, attack techniques, and compliance requirements.

These measurements ensure IT security training for staff delivers tangible results, not just tick-box compliance. When done effectively, you will reduce security risks and empower employees to reduce security incidents.

Protect your business from within

For small manufacturers, one misstep online can stop production as quickly as a broken machine. Cyber security awareness training gives employees the skills to recognise and report threats before they spread.

Embed training into everyday routines, measure what works, and back it with leadership support. That’s how you build resilience where it matters most: on the factory floor and across your supply chain.

At TCT, our programs measure results through reporting rates and risk scores. We provide cyber security awareness training for employees that’s built around real-world phishing simulations, tailored for manufacturers. Partner with us to develop a cyber awareness training program suited to your workforce and risk profile.

FAQs for cyber security training for employees

1. Why is cyber security training important for small manufacturing businesses?
   Cyber security training is important for small manufacturing businesses because attackers see them as vulnerable targets. By teaching staff how to avoid phishing, protect data, and prevent downtime, businesses safeguard production schedules, intellectual property, and customer trust.
2. How often should employees complete cyber security awareness training?
   Employees should complete cyber security awareness training at least quarterly. Short refreshers and simulated phishing tests every few months help reinforce habits, keeping staff ready for evolving threats without disrupting daily operations.
3. What topics should employee cyber security training cover?
   Employee cyber security training should cover phishing awareness, password security, multi-factor authentication, safe email and internet use, data handling, and incident reporting. These focus areas mirror the daily risks staff face and build consistent, safe behaviours.
4. Is online cyber security training effective for shift-based teams?
   Online cyber security training is effective for shift-based teams because it provides flexible, consistent access across different schedules. Many manufacturers strengthen this by combining online modules with in-person workshops for onboarding and ongoing engagement.