Cyber resilience in manufacturing: Why a robust cyber policy is no longer optional

Written by Katherine Campbell FCII – Sales Director.

The recent cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover, Britain’s largest carmaker, has sent a clear message to UK manufacturers – cyber-risk is no longer a distant threat, but a present and escalating reality.

With global IT systems taken offline, production halted at the Halewood plant, and retail operations disrupted, JLR’s experience underscores the operational fragility that even the most established manufacturers face in today’s digital landscape. Reliance on just-in-time production, and stock management, as well as a total reliance on digital controls for many businesses often means a single failure point can halt a full supply chain.

While the company confirmed no customer data was compromised, the ripple effects – from suspended shifts to delayed vehicle registrations – were immediate and costly.
This incident is part of a broader surge in cyber-attacks targeting UK businesses. From Co-op’s membership breach to Marks & Spencer’s £300 million loss, the manufacturing and retail sectors are increasingly in the crosshairs of sophisticated, AI-driven intrusions. With supply chains digitised and ransomware groups emboldened, the stakes have never been higher.

Interestingly the sheer breadth of businesses with not only vulnerabilities to cyber but different types of exposure present means that quality insurance and risk transfer mechanisms are becoming even more important. While affecting M&S’s distribution and online sales, for JLR the cost implications and type of loss is very different.

For manufacturers, the consequences of a cyber breach go far beyond IT downtime. Production delays, reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny, and financial loss can cascade across operations. And as the JLR case shows, even temporary disruption can have long-term implications – especially when compounded by market pressures like shifting tariffs and delayed product launches.

Why cyber insurance matters

At Howden, we believe cyber insurance should be a strategic pillar of every manufacturer’s risk management programme. It’s not just about covering losses; it’s about enabling resilience.

Our cyber policies are designed to support manufacturers through:

• Business interruption and recovery costs
• Ransomware and extortion events
• Data breach response and regulatory compliance
• Third-party liability and reputational harm
• Supply chain vulnerabilities and system failures

We also work with clients to ensure policy clarity, whether claims-made or occurrence-based, and help tailor coverage to the specific risks of industrial operations.

The protection gap

Despite growing awareness, the gap between exposure and protection is widening, and the manufacturing sector is particularly vulnerable.

Howden is uniquely positioned to support manufacturers with sector-specific insight and tailored cyber solutions. We understand the complexity of your operations and the critical need for continuity, compliance, and confidence.

Cyber-risk isn’t going away, but with the right cover, manufacturers can face it head-on. The JLR incident is a reminder that no business is immune, but every business can be prepared.

Let’s talk about how your cyber policy can work harder for you. Whether you're reviewing your current cover or building a new programme from the ground up, our team is here to help.