What an inspiring few days it has been at Automation World Vietnam 2025. From thought-provoking keynotes to hands-on conversations at the Evvo Labs booth, one thing was clear: cybersecurity is no longer a side conversation, it’s at the heart of smart manufacturing.

At the Vietnam Manufacturing Innovation Summit, our very own Vince Chew led sessions on “Cybersecurity’s Strategic Impacts on Smart Factories” and “Workforce in the Automation Industry.” The energy in the room, the questions from manufacturers, and the eagerness to share challenges all pointed to one truth, leaders in this space are ready to take cybersecurity seriously.

Why Cybersecurity Is a Business Imperative

For years, cybersecurity was seen as an IT issue, tucked away behind firewalls and passwords. But today, it has moved into the boardroom, standing shoulder to shoulder with productivity, quality, and safety.

Here’s why:

  • Attacks are rising: Manufacturing is now one of the most targeted industries, with 71% more attacks in 2024 compared to the previous year. In fact, 3 out of 10 ransomware incidents hit this sector.
  • Downtime is expensive: When an attack happens, operations can grind to a halt. The cost? Up to $260,000 every hour in downtime.
  • Digital adoption creates new risks : With AI, IoT, and cloud adoption growing rapidly, every robot, sensor, and controller becomes a potential entry point for attackers.
  • Leaders are waking up: 1 in 3 manufacturers now see IT/OT security as critical to achieving business outcomes within the next five years.

The message couldn’t be clearer : Cybersecurity is not just protection, it’s the backbone of resilient and sustainable growth.

Conversations That Matter

What made this event so special wasn’t just the sessions or the statistics, but the conversations. Leaders openly shared their concerns:

  • How do we balance innovation with security?
  • How do we protect our people and systems without slowing down operations?
  • How do we make cybersecurity part of the culture, not just compliance?

These are the right questions, and they show that the industry is ready to move from reactive defense to proactive resilience.

How We’re Helping Businesses Stay Secure

At Evvo Labs, we call our approach “Fit for Purpose Cybersecurity.” It’s not about one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about combining prescriptive consulting with risk-based strategies so that manufacturers can focus on what matters most, keeping operations running, people safe, and businesses growing.

Looking Ahead

As digital transformation accelerates across factories, supply chains, and ecosystems, cybersecurity will remain the linchpin of success. The manufacturing leaders who treat it as a strategic advantage rather than a compliance checkbox will be the ones to thrive.

We’re proud to stand alongside you in this journey, delivering cybersecurity that empowers productivity, safety, and growth. Because security isn’t about chance, Evvo creates solutions that earn trust and safeguard the future.