By Steve Liss, Fulton May Solutions
Oak Brook, Illinois — Fulton May Solutions has released its Q2 2026 report, Resilience and Risk in Manufacturing, highlighting how cybersecurity has become a direct driver of uptime, continuity, and operational stability for manufacturers navigating increasingly complex technology environments.
The report outlines a growing reality for small and mid-sized manufacturers: cybersecurity incidents are no longer isolated IT problems. They increasingly affect production schedules, supplier coordination, audit readiness, and customer confidence. According to the report, manufacturers operating with aging infrastructure, expanding third-party access, and lean internal IT teams are especially vulnerable to disruption when security fundamentals are weak or inconsistently applied.
Rather than promoting large-scale transformation, the report emphasizes practical actions that improve resilience without slowing down day-to-day operations. The findings focus on repeatable controls and operationally aligned security measures that help organizations reduce risk while maintaining business momentum.
Quick Summary
Fulton May Solutions’ Q2 2026 cybersecurity report examines the connection between cyber risk and operational resilience in manufacturing. It explains how common security gaps can result in downtime, delayed shipments, access issues, and compliance challenges, and it outlines practical steps manufacturers can take to reduce exposure. The report is intended for business, operations, plant, logistics, and IT leaders who need cybersecurity priorities tied directly to production continuity and business performance.
Key Findings from the Report
- Cybersecurity issues often begin as operational problems. The report finds that ransomware, outages, and access failures can interrupt production, affect service levels, and create cascading business consequences well beyond the IT function.
- Visibility across systems remains a foundational gap. Manufacturers need better awareness of connected devices, user access, network activity, and system changes across both IT and OT environments to identify risk earlier and respond more effectively.
- Vendor and remote access continue to create exposure. Third-party support is often necessary, but the report warns that inadequate governance around external connections can increase vulnerability and make incident containment more difficult.
- Audit readiness and resilience are closely connected. Core practices such as documented controls, access management, backup discipline, and oversight processes help organizations strengthen both compliance posture and operational continuity.
- Recovery readiness matters as much as prevention. The report stresses that manufacturers should be prepared to isolate affected systems, maintain critical functions, and recover quickly in the event of ransomware or other disruptive incidents.
- Mid-market teams benefit from focused, high-impact improvements. For organizations with limited internal resources, the most effective approach is to prioritize practical steps that can be implemented consistently and aligned to business risk.
Why the Findings Matter
For manufacturers, cybersecurity decisions increasingly influence plant reliability, delivery performance, and the ability to meet customer and regulatory expectations. As more businesses rely on connected infrastructure, the line between security risk and operational disruption continues to narrow. Fulton May Solutions’ report positions resilience not as a standalone technology objective, but as a business requirement for maintaining continuity and supporting growth.
The report also reflects the needs of mid-market manufacturers that may not have the internal resources to manage every risk internally. In these environments, practical planning, stronger oversight, and a clear understanding of the most exposed areas can make the difference between a contained issue and a major disruption.
Who Should Read the Full Report
- Plant managers responsible for uptime and production continuity
- Operations leaders balancing efficiency, risk, and audit pressure
- Logistics and supply chain leaders affected by system reliability
- IT and security stakeholders supporting manufacturing environments with limited internal resources
- Executive leaders evaluating business continuity and risk exposure
Download the Full Report
The full Resilience and Risk in Manufacturing: Q2 2026 Cybersecurity Report provides deeper analysis, practical recommendations, and a clearer framework for reducing disruption across manufacturing environments.
Download the full report to explore the findings in detail and identify the next steps for improving cyber resilience in your organization.
About Fulton May Solutions
Fulton May Solutions is an award-winning managed IT and cybersecurity services provider headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. The company supports small and medium-sized businesses across the United States with managed IT intelligence, cybersecurity, and consulting services designed to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security, and support long-term client success.
