n NEWS September 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com 10 THE UK MANUFACTURING SECTOR has become the nation’s top target for ransomware attacks, according to a new report from the cybersecurity expert, SonicWall. It reveals that while extortion attempts against other sectors have dropped significantly, cyberattackers are targeting industrial facilities and critical OT (operational technology) environments aggressively with concentrated ransomware strikes. According to SonicWall’s Threat Research team, 364 specialised sensors located in UK manufacturing environments recorded 15.8 million Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) events and 12.2 million malware threats between January and May 2026. It says that the combination of legacy OT systems and modern Web portals leave industrial operations exposed to cyberattacks. Intrusion attempts against UK factories so far this year are running about 28% higher than for the whole of 2025, on an annualised basis, indicating a rising tide of automated network probes aimed at British production lines. According to Sonicwall, the manufacturing sector recorded 1.84 million ransomware events in just five months, confirming it as the single most ransomware-impacted sector in the UK. It blames almost all of these attacks on the Filecoder ransomware family. Almost half (45%) of the monitored manufacturing sensors recorded attacks exploiting React Server Components (RCE) which target newly digitised operational dashboards. SonicWall analysts suggest that the concentration on manufacturing targets highlights active, dedicated campaigns aimed at bringing specific high-value manufacturing plants to a halt – rather than the broad, speculative scattergun activity seen elsewhere. Unlike other UK sectors that are heavily targeted via smart physical surveillance, IoT volume in manufacturing remains low (with around 230,000 hits), indicating that hackers prefer application and legacy infrastructure flaw-vectors. “Our data this year shows a clear pattern – silent reconnaissance against financial services, relentless stress-testing of healthcare, and direct, heavy-handed extortion against UK manufacturing,” says SonicWall’s executive vicepresident for the Emea region, Spencer Starkey. “With 1.8 million ransomware hits – heavily concentrated on individual facilities – attackers clearly see factory floors as prime extortion targets, where downtime means lost revenue and supply chain chaos. “UK manufacturers are navigating a toxic mix of old and new digital risks,” he adds. “Legacy Java sits unpatched in Scada and MES systems because plant managers can't afford production downtime. Meanwhile, new digital frameworks are being scanned by attackers at speed. Manufacturers have got to secure legacy OT, without slowing modern operations." UK factories are a top target for ransomware Schneider Electric has appointed Alex Richards as vice-president of its industrial and process automation business in the UK & Ireland. Richards joined Schneider in 2008, most recently serving as vice-president of segments and strategic accounts in Europe. Before that he was vice-president for mining, minerals and metals in the EMEA region. Siemens has appointed Steve Goldspink as its head of electrification and automation in the UK & Ireland. Goldspink, who has been with Siemens for more than 25 years, was previously head of business development for smart infrastructure. In his new role, he will lead a business focusing on technologies that connect, protect and optimise the grid – combining electrification, automation and industrial AI. Oliver Selby (top) has moved from his role as head of sales at Fanuc UK to the newly created position of strategic key account manager for aerospace and defence, reflecting the growing long-term importance of these sectors to Fanuc. Dan Fisher (below) has succeeded Selby as head of sales. Selby will be responsible for developing partnerships with aerospace and defence organisations, and identifying new opportunities for automation. Fisher previously worked in Fanuc’s business development division. EVENTS PPMA Show 2026 22-24 September, 2016 NEC, Birmingham The UK’s largest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision event is expected to attract more than 350 exhibitors and 1,500 brands. The show will be the first that Automate UK has organised since it launched its Apprenticeship Cluster programme designed to address skills shortages in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. The show will offer advice and support to organisations on how to bridge the skills gap. www.ppmashow.co.uk AEMT Conference 24 September, 2026 Manchester, UK The Association of Electrical & Mechanical Trades says that this year’s event will have the broadest programme yet of practical engineering insight, technical expertise, and networking opportunities. It is aimed not only at the AEMT’s electrical and mechanical repairs members, but also at asset owners, manufacturers, and engineers responsible for specifying, maintaining, and improving the performance of rotating equipment. The programme combines technical presentations with discussions on reliability, technology, business leadership and skills. www.theaemt.com/ems-event-calendar/ aemt-conference Engineering Design Show 7–8 October, 2026 Coventry Building Society Arena The organisers say that EDS has entered a new era, with a sharper identity built around the show’s three core disciplines: embedded design, electronic design and mechanical design. They add that EDS is built around the needs of UK design engineers, connecting exhibitors with an engaged audience looking for innovations. More than 200 exhibitors and 4,500 visitors are expected, and there will be more than 50 conferences and workshops. www.engineeringdesignshow.co.uk Digital Manufacturing 2Day 13 October, 2026 MTC, Coventry This event brings together manufacturers, technology providers, experts and innovators to explore how data, automation and AI are transforming operations across the sector. Built around real-world implementations rather than theory, the event focuses on the practical challenges facing manufacturers today, from connecting systems and unlocking the value of data, to scaling automation and delivering measurable business results. https://eur.cvent.me/Pqmavv MachineBuilding.Live 14 October, 2026 National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh Park The event returns to this venue for a second year. It is aimed at machine-builders, systems integrators and manufacturing professionals needing industrial automation systems. It is billed as “a unique opportunity to meet faceto-face with the largest array of machine building, systems integration and industrial automation technical experts ever assembled in one place at one time in the UK”. https://machinebuilding.live
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