At CyberStreams, we specialize in protecting small businesses, like manufacturers, higher education institutions, and non-profits, from cyber threats that most people don’t even know exist. One such hidden risk lies in a piece of technology many organizations rely on every day without a second thought: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).

PLCs are the quiet backbone of critical infrastructure, automating processes in water treatment plants, energy grids, food production lines, and beyond. But in a world increasingly defined by cyber risk, these industrial workhorses are now prime targets for malicious actors. A 2024 study that reviewed 133 research papers (arXiv:2403.00280) revealed a concerning truth, PLCs are alarmingly vulnerable to attack.

Why PLCs Are at Risk

PLCs sit at the intersection of the cyber and physical worlds. If compromised, they can cause real-world consequences, from factory shutdowns to public utility disruptions. Although most PLCs come with built-in access controls, up to 80% of these are ineffective due to weak or default authentication mechanisms. Encryption, if it exists at all, often uses outdated algorithms, leaving data and systems exposed.

These vulnerabilities aren't hypothetical. Over the past 17 years, 119 unique attack methods have been documented against PLCs, ranging from the infamous Stuxnet worm that sabotaged Iran’s nuclear program to more recent ransomware incidents that halted critical manufacturing operations.

In 2023, the FBI issued a public alert when Iran-linked hackers targeted PLCs in U.S. water facilities, underlining the urgent need for better protections in critical infrastructure.

Lessons from the Field

Securing PLCs isn’t just theory, it’s what we do. One of our manufacturing clients had unknowingly left PLCs running on default passwords, leaving their operations dangerously exposed. We stepped in, hardened their access controls, disabled unnecessary protocols, and implemented real-time monitoring. The result? Peace of mind and a dramatically reduced risk of operational downtime.

As 2024 data shows, 47% of manufacturing attacks were tied to supply chain vulnerabilities (IBM X-Force, 2025). As industries increasingly adopt cloud-connected industrial control systems (ICS), the attack surface grows, and so must your defenses.

Three Critical Steps You Should Take Now

To protect your infrastructure, here are three practical takeaways:

1. Strengthen PLC Access Controls
   Replace insecure, default settings in your ICS and IoT devices. Use strong, unique credentials.

2. Disable Unused Protocols
   Limit your attack surface by turning off unnecessary communication protocols at the device level or through firewall and switch configurations.

3. Monitor Systems Actively
   “Set it and forget it” is no longer viable. Think of it like Costco using scanners with no staff watching, bad actors will walk right in. Real-time monitoring is essential.

Conclusion: It's Time to Act

PLCs are no longer just industrial tools, they are high-value targets in a world where cyberattacks increasingly have physical consequences. If your business relies on automation, your infrastructure could be at risk. The good news? You don’t have to face these threats alone.

At CyberStreams, we make sure that your systems are secured, monitored, and resilient against both known and emerging threats. Don’t wait for a breach to find out where you’re vulnerable.

Send me a message at [email protected] to start securing your critical systems today.