Core Services
Manufacturing faces a convergence of threats — ransomware targeting production systems, operational technology networks increasingly connected to IT, and CMMC compliance requirements for defense contractors. Fairway IT specializes in the unique cybersecurity, infrastructure, and compliance needs of Chicago area manufacturers and DoD subcontractors. Most Targeted Sector for Ransomware in the US Manufacturing Index Average Ransomware Recovery Cost for Manufacturers NIST Controls Required for CMMC Level 2 Certification of Manufacturers Hit by a Cyberattack in the Past 2 Years Operational technology, compliance requirements, and sophisticated attackers create a complex security landscape. Your IT partner must understand manufacturing operations and industrial cybersecurity. Factory floor downtime costs thousands per hour. Attackers know this and specifically target manufacturing. A single infected workstation can cascade to your file servers, then your ERP system, then your production line — bringing operations to a halt. Connecting office IT with operational technology (PLCs, SCADA, MES) creates new attack surfaces. Legacy OT systems often weren’t designed with cybersecurity in mind. Fairway IT segments and secures these networks to isolate production systems from IT-based threats. DoD subcontractors must certify to CMMC standards. This isn’t optional. Fairway IT helps defense manufacturers assess their current posture, fill compliance gaps, and prepare for third-party assessment and certification. SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Epicor — these systems run the business. They need expert infrastructure support, backup strategies, and recovery planning. We configure and maintain ERP and MES infrastructure to keep your operations running 24/7. Engineers need remote access to production systems, and vendors need access to troubleshoot equipment. But every remote connection is a potential attack vector. Fairway IT implements zero-trust access controls and MFA to secure third-party access without compromising usability. Vendor and partner access to your network creates risk. Attackers use supply chain relationships to infiltrate manufacturers. We monitor, segment, and secure vendor access with the same rigor as internal networks. We provide end-to-end IT and cybersecurity support designed for the unique needs of Chicago area manufacturers. Fast, knowledgeable support for office and shop floor staff — workstations, printers, connectivity, and remote access. Average 3.5-minute response time for critical issues. Continuous monitoring of your office IT infrastructure and industrial networks — identifying issues before they impact production. Includes real-time alerting and escalation. Dedicated support for SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Epicor, and other enterprise systems — configured and maintained to specification, with vendor coordination. Encrypted, redundant backup of production data and systems — with tested restore procedures so you can recover quickly from any incident. RTO/RPO tailored to manufacturing requirements. Isolating operational technology from IT networks with proper network architecture, firewalls, and monitoring — preventing IT-based threats from reaching production systems. Next-gen endpoint protection on every workstation and server — detecting and containing threats before they can reach your ERP system or production networks. Gap analysis, control implementation, and documentation for CMMC Level 2 compliance. We prepare you for third-party assessment and help you achieve and maintain certification. MFA-enforced, zero-trust access for engineers, vendors, and remote teams — with detailed logging and continuous verification, not one-time login. Operational technology — PLCs, SCADA systems, MES platforms, industrial controllers — was historically isolated from IT networks. Today, manufacturers connect these systems to IT for remote monitoring and data collection. This convergence creates new attack pathways that ransomware actors are actively exploiting. Fairway IT specializes in OT/IT security — understanding both the technical requirements of industrial systems and the cybersecurity controls needed to protect them. We don’t just install firewalls; we design secure architectures that allow legitimate operational needs while preventing attackers from reaching production systems. ✓ OT/IT network segmentation to isolate production systems from IT-based threats ✓ Industrial protocol-aware firewall rules for MODBUS, Profibus, and OPC-UA traffic ✓ Secure remote access with MFA for engineers, plant managers, and equipment vendors ✓ Patch management strategies for legacy OT systems that can’t be quickly updated ✓ Incident response planning specific to manufacturing recovery ✓ Regular vulnerability assessments of OT/IT boundaries and control interfaces We audit your entire IT and OT infrastructure — identifying security gaps, compliance gaps, and architectural risks specific to your operations. We design and implement OT/IT segmentation, network hardening, and security controls — timed to your production schedule to minimize disruption. If you’re a defense contractor, we assess your CMMC compliance posture, identify control gaps, and create a remediation roadmap for Level 2 certification. 24/7 monitoring, continuous vulnerability assessment, quarterly compliance reviews, and always-available support — so your operation stays secure and compliant. OT/IT convergence is the trend of connecting operational technology (industrial control systems, SCADA, PLCs, MES) to traditional IT networks. Historically, these were separate — OT systems were air-gapped for safety reasons. Today, manufacturers connect them to enable remote monitoring, data collection, and predictive maintenance. The problem: IT networks are under constant cyberattack, and traditional IT security controls don’t work on industrial systems. Ransomware that infiltrates your IT network can now reach your production systems. This is why OT/IT segmentation and security is critical. Yes. CMMC 2.0 is now active, and the DoD is enforcing compliance as a contract requirement. Fairway IT provides gap analysis, control implementation, and documentation support for CMMC Level 2 certification. We work with third-party assessors (C3PAOs) to ensure you’re prepared for assessment. This includes implementing NIST 800-171 controls, creating evidence documentation, and maintaining compliance posture ongoing. Yes. We have experience supporting infrastructure for the major manufacturing ERP platforms — SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Epicor, and others. We manage the infrastructure layer (servers, workstations, networking, cloud integration) and coordinate with your ERP vendor’s support team for application-level issues. This includes backup/recovery for ERP databases, performance optimization, security hardening, and 24/7 monitoring to keep your system running. Ransomware protection for manufacturers requires multiple layers: (1) Prevention — EDR on workstations and servers, email security, network monitoring. (2) Segmentation — OT/IT network segmentation so ransomware in IT networks can’t reach production systems. (3) Backup & Recovery — encrypted, offline backups so you can restore without paying ransom. (4) Incident Response — a plan specific to manufacturing recovery, including production restart procedures and OT/IT team coordination. We implement all four layers as standard. The average ransomware recovery cost for manufacturers is $2.2M — including ransom payments, lost production, recovery labor, and long-term business impact. But that’s just the average. A large manufacturer losing production for even 24 hours can lose millions. Small manufacturers might lose $10K-$50K per hour. The financial incentive for attacks on manufacturing is enormous — and attackers know it. This is why preventing ransomware through segmentation, monitoring, and backups is far cheaper than recovery. Fairway IT provides OT/IT security, CMMC compliance, and managed IT for Chicago area manufacturers and defense contractors — so you can focus on making products, not fighting cyberattacks. We understand manufacturing operations and industrial security.
Manufacturing & Industrial Operations — Chicago, IL
Keep the Line Running. Keep the Data Safe.
✓ OT/IT network expertise
✓ CMMC / NIST 800-171 ready
✓ ERP & MES support
#1
$2.2M
110
63%
The Challenge
Manufacturing & Industrial Operations Face a Unique Convergence of Threats
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Ransomware Shutting Down Production
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OT/IT Network Convergence
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CMMC for Defense Contractors
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ERP and MES Reliability
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Remote Access for Engineers and Vendors
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Supply Chain Cyber Risk
Manufacturing IT Services
Infrastructure, Security, and Compliance for Manufacturing & Industrial Operations
MANAGED IT & INFRASTRUCTURE
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Production-Focused Help Desk Support
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24/7 IT and OT Monitoring
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ERP/MES Infrastructure Support
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Backup & Disaster Recovery
CYBERSECURITY & OT SECURITY
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OT/IT Network Segmentation
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Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
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CMMC & NIST 800-171 Compliance
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Zero-Trust Remote Access Security
Industrial Cybersecurity
The Factory Floor Is Now an Attack Surface
Getting Started
Manufacturing IT Onboarding Process
1
STEP
OT/IT Assessment
2
STEP
Segmentation & Hardening
3
STEP
CMMC Gap Analysis
4
STEP
Ongoing Protection
FAQ
Manufacturing IT Questions, Answered
Keep Production Running. Keep Your Business Secure.