The competitive edge of the cosmetics manufacturing industry is their unique formulas. But as innovation accelerates and digital tools become deeply embedded in product development, the cyber risks facing cosmetic labs and manufacturers are escalating fast.
Meanwhile, many cosmetics businesses in Glendale are unintentionally leaving gaps in their cybersecurity for cybercriminals to exploit. Let’s explore why cybersecurity and secure IT practices are critical for the cosmetic manufacturing industry and what your business can do to protect its future.
The Overlooked Risks in Cosmetics Manufacturing
With a data breach expected to cost businesses an additional $1.76 million due to a skills shortage in cybersecurity expertise (as reported by IBM in their recent article), cosmetic manufacturing companies are not an exception to these risks.
Particularly with intellectual property (IP) theft being a key factor in prolonged recovery, cosmetics companies could face losing exclusive formulas, confidential partnerships, and compliance standing as a result of poor cybersecurity protocols.
Despite this, many cosmetic manufacturers still fall short when it comes to data protection and IT compliance due to:
- Unsecured formulas in shared folders: Teams often store sensitive formulation data in basic cloud folders, usually with barely any encryption or access control. A single weak password or misconfigured permission can expose years of research and development.
- Unprotected client data: Confidentiality is a major part of building strong client relationships, but customer data – ranging from contract details to private project notes – is often stored without proper safeguards.
- Compliance risks (GMP, FDA, ISO): Cosmetic firms must meet regulatory standards such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), FDA data security guidelines, and ISO 22716. However, many still overlook the IT components of these frameworks, like audit logs, system validation, and secure access protocols.
Why Backups Alone Aren’t Enough
It’s been thought for years that backups are the ultimate safety net for businesses, offering a strong defense against data loss after a cyberattack. But ransomware tactics have long since evolved and are now targeting backups first to ensure maximum damage.
If your cosmetic manufacturing business relies solely on basic backups, you’re not as protected as you think. This is because:
- Attackers seek out and encrypt backups: Modern ransomware strains have been designed to scan your network for backup files and systems. If those backups are connected to the same environment as your main systems – or lack strong access controls – they can be encrypted or deleted before you even know there’s an issue.
- On-site and cloud backups are vulnerable: Even cloud-based backups aren’t immune if they’re accessible from compromised credentials or poorly segmented networks. In many cases, attackers gain access to cloud portals, reset passwords, and wipe out stored data.
- Delayed detection gives ransomware time to spread: Cybercriminals often dwell silently in networks for weeks or even months, studying your systems and finding the best time to strike. During this time, they can corrupt your backups without raising any red flags, leaving you with no clean version to restore from.
- Ransom demands rise when recovery isn’t possible: If backups are compromised, companies face an impossible choice between paying the ransom or losing everything. In manufacturing environments this pressure can be devastating – especially when every hour of downtime affects production, supply chains, and delivery timelines.
Implementing robust cybersecurity protocols ensures you can protect your backups from advanced ransomware. Infinity Technologies offers more insight into the prevailing cybersecurity threats for this year in their recent article to help you begin preparing.
Techital: Supporting Cosmetic Manufacturers in Glendale
At Techital, we support cosmetics manufacturers in Glendale with our comprehensive cybersecurity and IT compliance expertise, situating them in a position for success whether they’re launching a new product line or expanding their lab’s capabilities.
Our services are tailored to keep your business protected and competitive, including:
- Ransomware-resilient backup solutions: We implement off-site, immutable, and regularly tested backups that ensure you can recover – regardless of what attackers throw your way.
- Secure access controls: From formula data to client files, we enforce robust access protocols to ensure only the right people have the right permissions.
- IT compliance support for GMP, FDA, and ISO standards: Our team helps you meet and maintain IT requirements across key industry standards, with system documentation, audit readiness, and secure infrastructure.
Don’t Let Cyber Risks Compromise Your Competitive Edge
Your formula is your future, so don’t let poor IT practices put it at risk. By taking a proactive approach to secure IT and aligning with industry compliance standards, cosmetic manufacturers can reduce risk, protect sensitive data, and maintain the trust of clients and partners.
Contact us today to learn how we can support your business with expert-led cybersecurity and compliance-ready IT solutions.
