Cybersecurity planning starts with strong business processes. Review financial verification, AI governance, and incident response before 2027.

The 3 Cybersecurity Priorities Manufacturers Should Review Before 2027

Cybersecurity planning for 2027 doesn't start with your tech, it starts with processes.

Artificial intelligence is changing how fraud is carried out. Business systems are more connected than ever, and cybercriminals continue to exploit everyday workflows instead of trying to break through technical defenses.

Three areas deserve immediate attention:

• Financial verification
• AI governance
• Incident response planning

These processes have changed significantly over the past few years. If they have not been reviewed recently, now is the time.

At Data-Link Associates, we have supported manufacturers since 1983, and one lesson has remained consistent: cyber incidents rarely happen because a company lacks technology, but because a business process failed.

Here are three cybersecurity priorities every manufacturer should review before 2027.

1. Review Your Financial Verification Process

Financial controls exist to prevent costly mistakes, but people are fooled more often than computers.

Executive impersonation, fraudulent vendor payment requests, and AI-generated phishing emails have become increasingly convincing.

Ask yourself:

• How are wire transfers approved?
• Who verifies banking changes?
• Are vendor payment requests confirmed through a second method?
• Does email alone trigger financial approvals?

If your approval process has not been reviewed recently, it may no longer reflect today's cyber risks.

Strong financial verification procedures remain one of the most effective ways to reduce business risk.

2. Establish an AI Usage Policy

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday business operations.

We now need to look at what your organization has established for clear expectations on how it should be used.

Every manufacturer should be able to answer these questions:

• Which AI tools are approved for business use?
• What company information should never be entered into AI applications?
• Who evaluates new AI tools before employees begin using them?
• How will AI usage be monitored and governed?

Creating these policies today is far easier than trying to implement them after AI becomes deeply embedded throughout the organization.

3. Update Your Incident Response Plan

An incident response plan is only effective if it reflects how your business operates today, not 5 or 10 years ago when the plan was adopted.

New software, cloud applications, key personnel, vendors, and business priorities all influence how your company should respond during a cybersecurity incident.

Review your plan regularly to ensure it includes:

• Recovery priorities
• Communication procedures
• Current contact information
• Vendor responsibilities
• Outside cybersecurity resources

When an incident occurs, preparation often determines how quickly your business returns to normal operations.

Cybersecurity Protects More Than Your Network

Manufacturers that regularly review financial verification procedures, establish responsible AI governance, and maintain current incident response plans are better prepared to protect operations, reduce downtime, and respond confidently when an incident occurs.

Your business processes should evolve alongside the technology.

If your organization has not reviewed these three areas recently, now is the time.

Data-Link Associates, Inc. is a cybersecurity and IT support provider located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, that supports manufacturers and wholesalers nationwide — since 1983. Contact Angela Jamerson, ajamerson@datalinkmsp.com, (630) 406-8969 x576 for questions about this article. datalinkmsp.com