Data Security and Compliance Risk in Manufacturing for 2026

This report analyzes the data security and compliance risks faced by the manufacturing sector as it approaches 2026. It outlines the current state of AI governance within manufacturing, highlighting strengths in human oversight and monitoring capabilities, while also identifying significant vulnerabilities, particularly in adversarial testing and compliance documentation. The report presents five key predictions regarding the sector's future, emphasizing the need for improved red-teaming practices to address adversarial threats and the importance of enhancing compliance documentation to meet evolving regulatory requirements. The findings are based on a survey of security, IT, compliance, and risk leaders, revealing a sector that excels in operational controls but struggles with proactive security measures. The report calls for the establishment of AI governance frameworks tailored for operational technology environments and the development of robust audit trails to ensure accountability and compliance in AI systems. Overall, the document serves as a critical resource for understanding the intersection of AI governance and manufacturing security challenges.