About Futaba Manufacturing UK Ltd
Futaba Manufacturing UK Ltd (FMUK), a distinguished Japanese Tier One automotive manufacturer, operates two state-of-the-art facilities in England, employing over 400 skilled professionals throughout the United Kingdom. Renowned for excellence, Futaba specialises in crafting high-quality automotive components that meet the industry’s most demanding standards. FMUK offers a comprehensive range of services, including engineering, press operations, robotic weld assembly, tube forming, fuel system assembly, and more. This diverse expertise enables FMUK to deliver excellence consistently within the automotive industry. As cyber threats continue to grow in complexity, safeguarding operations has become a critical business priority for FMUK. Implementing robust cyber security measures is essential to protect their advanced manufacturing processes and maintain their commitment to quality and efficiency.
The Business Challenge
Futaba’s UK operations faced a significant challenge in managing their cyber security. With Matt Cooper, the IT Manager, overseeing two sites, his expertise and dedication were invaluable. However, without a dedicated cyber security resource, tackling the growing volume of cyber threats required additional support to ensure a robust defence. Futaba’s senior leadership recognised the risks associated with a limited inhouse IT team. A security incident could halt production, causing significant disruption to their supply chain and impacting relationships with key clients. Additionally, the headquarters in Japan had mandated a review of managed services to address these vulnerabilities, highlighting the growing concern about supply chain risks. However, budget constraints posed a challenge. Building in-house capabilities was deemed prohibitively expensive, necessitating an affordable yet effective managed solution to ensure security without compromising operational budgets.
The Solutions
Futaba partnered with CyberLab to establish a strong security foundation through a comprehensive penetration testing programme. This began with an external infrastructure assessment to identify vulnerabilities in publicly accessible systems, followed by an internal assessment simulating real-world attack scenarios within the corporate environment. This multi-layered evaluation uncovered critical gaps and prioritised remediation actions, ensuring Futaba’s network and systems were fortified against emerging threats. These assessments provided the insight needed to strengthen resilience and informed the next phase of their security strategy.
To deliver continuous protection and advanced threat detection, CyberLab implemented a layered security framework centred on Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR). This solution provided:
24/7 monitoring and expert-led threat hunting, acting as an extension of Futaba’s IT team. Sophos Network Detection and Response (NDR) for visibility across IoT-heavy manufacturing environments. Firewall integration via the Sophos MDR Firewall Integration Pack, improving network visibility and response times. Backup and Recovery Pack to ensure rapid restoration after incidents such as ransomware attacks. Incident Response Retainer, giving Futaba on-demand access to Sophos experts for immediate containment and recovery during a crisis. Together, these measures created a robust, proactive defence strategy that protects Futaba’s operational technology and corporate systems around the clock.
Following the initial assessments, CyberLab deployed HackRisk, an AI‑powered early‑warning system that continuously monitors Futaba’s entire digital footprint for emerging threats. By mapping all external assets and detecting vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and changes as they occur, HackRisk provided clear visibility of risks that traditional point‑in‑time testing can miss. The always‑on monitoring, combined with expert‑driven insights and shareable reports, helped Futaba strengthen its overall security posture and make faster, more informed decisions. The phased rollout allowed Futaba to prioritise urgent risks immediately while spreading investment predictably over time.
“As a business committed to delivering exceptional quality and reliability to our customers, ensuring the continuity of our operations is paramount. CyberLab’s expertise in safeguarding our organisation against evolving cyber threats has been instrumental in protecting our reputation and maintaining our competitive edge. Their tailored solutions give us the confidence to focus on growth, innovation, and excellence.”
– Phil Ord, Managing Director
FMUK
The Outcome
By implementing these solutions, Futaba achieved a significant transformation in their cyber security posture. Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provided 24/7 threat detection and response, ensuring continuous protection against evolving cyber threats. This proactive defence minimised the risk of downtime and safeguarded operational continuity, a critical factor in Futaba’s manufacturing environment. The addition of Sophos Network Detection and Response (NDR) significantly enhanced network visibility, particularly in Futaba’s IoT- and OT-rich infrastructure. This added layer of security ensured that threats within these specialised environments were identified and mitigated before causing disruption. With these advanced solutions in place, Futaba’s IT Manager, Matt, was able to shift focus from daily threat management to more strategic initiatives, driving efficiency and long-term planning for the business. Moreover, the Incident Response Retainer brought Futaba peace of mind by ensuring they were always ready to respond rapidly and effectively to any cyber incidents. Combined with a phased, cost-effective approach to security implementation, Futaba achieved enterprise-grade protection without the substantial expense of building and maintaining an in-house SOC. The result was a robust and scalable cyber defence strategy that not only addressed immediate threats but also empowered Futaba to stay resilient in the face of future challenges.
Conclusion
CyberLab’s tailored solutions have enabled Futaba to safeguard their manufacturing operations and maintain trust within their supply chain. Starting with a thorough penetration test, CyberLab identified critical vulnerabilities and laid the groundwork for a phased, cost-effective security approach. Through CyberLab Control, Futaba addressed user training, vulnerability testing, and patch management, empowering their team to mitigate risks proactively. By integrating Sophos’s advanced technology, Futaba gained 24/7 threat protection, enhanced network visibility, and incident readiness. This comprehensive strategy has allowed Futaba to confidently navigate the evolving threat landscape while focusing on delivering quality and innovation in the manufacturing industry.
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