IT Support for Manufacturing OT Security & Industry 4.0
Keep production running and protect your operational technology with managed IT services built for UK manufacturers. From OT/IT network convergence and ERP integration to industrial cybersecurity and 24/7 IT support, Vertex9 understands the operational realities of manufacturing IT.
Manufacturing IT Challenges
Manufacturing IT sits at the intersection of operational technology and information technology — a convergence that creates unique challenges that generic managed IT providers are not equipped to address.
OT/IT Convergence & Network Segmentation
The drive to connect production systems — PLCs, SCADA, CNC machines, MES — to corporate IT networks and cloud analytics platforms creates significant security complexity. Operational technology was designed for availability and deterministic performance, not security. Connecting OT environments to IT networks without appropriate segmentation exposes production systems to threats that originated in the office environment or from internet-facing systems. The Norsk Hydro ransomware attack (2019) and WannaCry's impact on UK manufacturing demonstrated that operational disruption from IT security failures can cost tens of millions of pounds.
Legacy OT Systems & Patching Constraints
Manufacturing environments routinely operate equipment running Windows XP, Windows 7, or proprietary operating systems that cannot be patched in the same way as modern IT systems. Vendors do not support patching for fear of voiding equipment certifications. Yet these unpatched systems sit on networks that have increasingly connected to the internet. Compensating security controls — network isolation, application whitelisting, OT-specific monitoring — must be applied carefully to avoid disrupting production whilst reducing attack surface.
ERP & MES Integration
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems — SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Epicor, SYSPRO — are the operational heart of manufacturing business management: production scheduling, inventory, procurement, quality management and finance. These systems must integrate reliably with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) on the shop floor. Failures in ERP availability or data integrity directly disrupt production planning and customer delivery commitments. The IT infrastructure supporting ERP demands enterprise-grade reliability, backup and rapid recovery capability.
Supply Chain Cyber Requirements
UK manufacturers supplying to defence primes (BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, MBDA, Thales), automotive OEMs, or aerospace customers increasingly face contractual cyber security requirements. DEFSTAN 05-138 references Cyber Essentials Plus for UK defence suppliers. US CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) applies to UK sub-contractors on US defence programmes. NHS Supply Chain requires Cyber Essentials for medical device suppliers. Failure to achieve certification can result in contract loss or exclusion from future tenders.
Intellectual Property Protection
Manufacturing businesses hold highly valuable intellectual property: product designs, tooling specifications, process know-how, customer pricing and supplier contracts. This IP represents the competitive advantage that justifies manufacturing in the UK rather than offshoring. State-sponsored and criminal cyber espionage specifically targets UK manufacturers for IP theft. Appropriate data classification, access controls, encryption and export controls for sensitive technical data are essential IP protection measures that most generic IT providers do not address.
24/7 Production IT Availability
Many manufacturers operate 24/7 production schedules or shift patterns that extend well beyond standard business hours. IT failures outside 9-5 hours can halt production lines, delay shipments, and trigger customer SLA penalties. Critical production IT — network connectivity, server infrastructure, ERP access, Wi-Fi for handheld barcode scanners — must be monitored continuously and supported with out-of-hours incident response. Standard 9-5 IT support arrangements are simply not compatible with manufacturing operational requirements.
Our Manufacturing IT Services
From OT network design and industrial cybersecurity to ERP support and 24/7 monitoring — a complete managed IT service for UK manufacturers.
OT/IT Network Design
Network architecture design that safely connects production OT environments to corporate IT — with industrial-grade switches, VLANs, and firewall segmentation protecting both environments.
View Network Services →Industrial Cybersecurity
OT-appropriate security controls: network monitoring, application whitelisting, remote access security for maintenance vendors, and Cyber Essentials/Plus certification for supply chain compliance.
View Cybersecurity →24/7 Managed IT Support
Round-the-clock monitoring and helpdesk access covering your ERP infrastructure, production network, and IT systems — aligned to your shift patterns and production schedules.
View IT Support →Disaster Recovery for ERP
Automated backup of ERP databases, server infrastructure and production data — with tested recovery procedures and RTOs designed to minimise production downtime after any incident.
Learn About DR →Industrial Wi-Fi
Enterprise Wi-Fi for factory and warehouse environments — covering large floor areas, metallic structures, and mobile equipment including forklift-mounted terminals and handheld scanners.
Explore Wi-Fi →Cloud & Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 deployment for manufacturing office and management teams — with appropriate data classification, sensitivity labels, and IP protection controls for sensitive technical files.
Explore Cloud →Frequently Asked Questions
Do you understand OT/IT network convergence?
Yes — we have experience designing network architectures that safely connect operational technology environments — PLCs, SCADA, HMIs, CNC machines — with corporate IT networks. We apply segmentation principles that provide the data connectivity manufacturers need for MES and ERP integration whilst maintaining appropriate isolation of production systems from internet-facing threats.
How do you secure OT environments from cyber threats?
Manufacturing OT environments require security tailored to their constraints: legacy operating systems, real-time control requirements, and equipment that cannot be patched conventionally. We apply compensating controls including network segmentation, OT-specific monitoring, strict access controls and secured remote access for vendor maintenance — without disrupting production systems.
Can you support our ERP system?
Yes — we support the IT infrastructure underlying ERP platforms commonly used in UK manufacturing: SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Epicor, Infor and SYSPRO. We ensure appropriate server infrastructure, network performance, backup and disaster recovery for ERP systems that are business-critical to production and finance operations.
Can you help us achieve Cyber Essentials Plus for defence supply chain?
Yes — Cyber Essentials Plus is increasingly required by defence primes under DEFSTAN 05-138 and by NHS Supply Chain for medical device manufacturers. We provide end-to-end support: gap assessment against the Cyber Essentials technical controls, remediation, and management of the independently-verified technical assessment required for Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
Do you provide out-of-hours IT support for 24/7 production environments?
Yes — we provide 24/7 monitoring and an out-of-hours incident response capability for critical production IT. We can configure alerting aligned to your shift patterns and production schedules, ensuring that IT issues affecting production lines receive immediate attention regardless of when they occur.
Ready to Secure Your Manufacturing IT?
Speak to a Vertex9 manufacturing IT specialist. We will assess your OT/IT environment, identify security and compliance gaps, and propose a managed IT solution designed around your production requirements — at no cost and with no obligation.