You’ve invested in automation. You’ve streamlined your supply chain. You’ve gone digital to stay competitive.
But with innovation comes exposure—and today’s cybercriminals know exactly where to strike.

Manufacturers are now prime targets for cyberattacks. Why? Because production delays equal massive losses, and many facilities still rely on aging systems with limited cybersecurity oversight. One successful attack can grind operations to a halt, corrupt your supply chain, or even threaten employee safety.

That’s why Info Advantage created Brews & Cyber Threats—a bold series pairing the top five cyber risks with distinctive craft beers from Rohrbach Brewing Company in Rochester. Because when it comes to protecting your factory floor, the lesson needs to stick… and so should the flavor.

1. Scotch Ale + Phishing (Deceptively Smooth)

Phishing emails trick employees into clicking links, revealing credentials, or wiring money. In fast-paced manufacturing environments, urgency and routine make staff vulnerable.

Why It Hurts Manufacturers:

• Credential theft can open the door to production sabotage

• Phishing often leads to ransomware payloads

• Fake supplier invoices or shipment requests can reroute funds

Info Advantage Tip:

• Deploy phishing simulation training for plant and office staff

• Use secure email gateways and multi-factor authentication (MFA)

• Enable alerts for unusual financial requests or data access

Why Scotch Ale?
Rohrbach’s Scotch Ale is malty and smooth—just like a convincing phishing message. But beneath that easy sip is a hidden punch, much like the consequences of clicking the wrong link.

2. Space Kitty + Ransomware (Bold and Unforgiving)

Manufacturing systems are prime ransomware targets. One infected workstation, and your shop floor screeches to a halt. Downtime, lost revenue, and delayed shipments? That’s exactly what cybercriminals count on to pressure you into paying up.

Why It Hurts Manufacturers:

• Production lines freeze

• Loss of access to CAD files, order systems, and MRP platforms

• Potential compromise of proprietary designs or IP

Info Advantage Tip:

• Back up operational data and equipment configurations daily

• Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) with 24/7 threat monitoring

• Apply patches to all endpoints—including older control systems

Why Space Kitty?
This Double IPA hits fast and hard, much like a ransomware attack on your network. There’s no ignoring it, and preparation is key to survival.

3. Blueberry Ale + Business Email Compromise (Sweet, Crisp, and Sneaky)

BEC attacks exploit trust and familiarity to trick employees into wiring money or changing vendor payment details—especially during busy periods or vendor transitions.

Why It Hurts Manufacturers:

• Wire fraud to fake suppliers

• Payroll redirection scams

• Damage to vendor relationships and financial reporting

Info Advantage Tip:

• Require dual approval for wire transfers and vendor updates

• Train employees to verify emails requesting payment process changes

• Monitor for suspicious email forwarding rules and anomalies

Why Blueberry Ale?
Like Rohrbach’s Blueberry Ale, a BEC email feels light and smooth—until it stings your bottom line. Don’t get fooled by the sweetness.

4. Helles Lager + Insider Threats (Smooth, But Needs Guardrails)

Operations depend on trusted employees. But whether it’s a careless mistake or a disgruntled technician, insider threats can compromise security, stall production, or leak trade secrets.

Why It Hurts Manufacturers:

• Unauthorized access to machinery or facility systems

• Theft of blueprints, schematics, or formulas

• Downtime caused by sabotage or negligence

Info Advantage Tip:

• Implement role-based access controls

• Monitor for large downloads or after-hours activity

• Immediately disable access when employees leave or change roles

Why Helles Lager?
Rohrbach’s Helles Lager is reliable and familiar. But just like your team, without proper controls, even the trusted can make critical mistakes.

5. Vanilla Porter + Cloud Misconfigurations (Complex, Layered, and Precise)

Manufacturers increasingly embrace cloud technologies—ERP systems, IoT platforms, vendor portals, and real-time analytics. But without the right configurations, you could expose sensitive product data or operational systems to the open internet.

Why It Hurts Manufacturers:

• IP theft due to exposed cloud storage

• Unauthorized access to machine settings or maintenance logs

• Compromise of supply chain data or customer records

Info Advantage Tip:

• Conduct semi-annual cloud security assessments

• Apply least-privilege access rules

• Enable logging and anomaly detection tools

Why Vanilla Porter?
This rich brew is all about balance—just like your cloud strategy. One wrong mix of settings, and things can go bitter fast.

Final Sip: If Your Network Goes Down, So Does Production

Manufacturing runs on uptime, precision, and execution. Cyberattacks threaten all three.
From intellectual property theft to production line outages, today’s cybercriminals don’t care what you build—they care what they can break or steal.

Downtime is costly. Join us to discover how to protect your operations and intellectual property from cyberattacks—over great craft beer and expert insights.

Our Cybersecurity & Craft Beer Tasting Event is coming this October at Rohrbach Brewing Company. We’ll be sampling the beers from this series, talking security strategy, and raising a glass to safer business.

Spots are limited—reserve your seat here!