Why Cyber Hygiene Is Crucial for Salt Lake City Manufacturing Operations
Cybersecurity threats aren’t just targeting Silicon Valley startups or big-city financial firms anymore. Small to mid-sized manufacturers in Salt Lake City are increasingly in the crosshairs. If you're running CNCs, tracking orders through MES, or managing proprietary designs for aerospace clients, you’re a prime target. IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report revealed that 82% of breaches involved data in the cloud—and most were preventable with basic cyber hygiene.
It’s not glamorous. But it is critical.
At Qual IT, we support manufacturers across the Salt Lake Valley who know what’s at stake: uptime, compliance, and trust. So here’s a no-BS breakdown of what cyber hygiene should look like on your plant floor and in your office.
Lock Down Your Network – From Break Room to Bridgeport
Your entire production environment is connected—from the front desk to your 5-axis mill. That means your network needs layered protection:
- Firewall & Encryption – These are the digital guardrails keeping ransomware out of your PLC programming station.
- Hidden SSID – Don’t broadcast your shop’s WiFi name like it’s a coffee shop. Make it hidden and protected.
- Strong Passwords + MFA – Especially for those using tablets to scan parts or enter job data.
- VPNs for Remote Access – Your sales team logging into the ERP from the road? They need a secure tunnel in.
We help Salt Lake manufacturers design segmented, secure networks that keep the production line humming and the hackers out.
Train Your Team – Because Cybersecurity Isn’t Just IT’s Job
Your operators, leads, and even your front-office admin can open the door to a breach. Most attacks don’t start with broken code—they start with a click.
- Strong Password Policies
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Internet & Email Usage Guidelines
- Ongoing Training & Phishing Simulations
Our IT support includes staff training built specifically for manufacturers—no fluff, no jargon, just real-life examples that hit home.
Backup Like Your Business Depends on It—Because It Does
When ransomware locks your files or a power surge knocks your ERP offline, your recovery plan becomes your lifeline.
- Automatic, Daily Backups – Locally and to the cloud
- Tested Recovery Process – Not just backups, but knowing you can actually restore them
- Critical File Protection – ERP, HR, Finance, and proprietary design files
We help Salt Lake City manufacturers build backup systems that meet compliance standards and ensure business continuity—even on your worst day.
Limit Access – Especially to the Crown Jewels
Your machinist doesn’t need access to payroll files. Your HR lead doesn’t need access to MES logs. Keeping access limited means when something does go wrong, the damage is contained.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
- Administrator Privileges Only for Trusted IT Personnel
- Immediate Offboarding Protocols – Former employees shouldn’t still have logins lingering
Manufacturers we serve in Draper, West Valley, and South Salt Lake rely on our IT company to set clear boundaries that reduce risk without slowing anyone down.
Cybersecurity Is a Production Strategy—Not Just a Tech Issue
Cyber hygiene might feel like a hassle, but the alternative is worse: downtime, fines, lost contracts, and a bruised reputation. In a lean manufacturing environment, even a few hours of system disruption can mean missed delivery windows, overtime costs, and unhappy clients.
Want to Get Ahead of Cyber Threats Before They Hit Your Plant?
Now is the time. Our Free Cybersecurity Network Assessment will:
- Identify weak points across your network
- Test your backup and recovery processes
- Review user access across your systems
- Provide a prioritized roadmap for shoring up vulnerabilities
We specialize in IT services for Salt Lake City manufacturers, and we know the stakes.
👉 Click here to book your FREE network assessment with Qual IT.
