Critical Manufacturing Sector
The Critical Manufacturing Sector includes industries that produce materials, machinery, equipment, and components that are essential to the operation of the Nation’s economy and critical infrastructure. These manufacturers support supply chains across numerous sectors, including transportation, energy, defense, communications, healthcare, and information technology. A significant disruption within critical manufacturing can therefore create widespread operational, economic, and national security impacts.
Overview
The sector encompasses nationally significant manufacturing industries whose products and capabilities are difficult to replace quickly if disrupted. These include manufacturers of primary metals, machinery, electrical equipment, transportation equipment, and other specialized products that support essential services and industrial operations.
Critical manufacturing facilities often depend on complex supply chains, industrial control systems, operational technology, skilled workforces, transportation networks, and reliable energy and communications services. Because of these dependencies, organizations within the sector must manage a broad range of risks, including cyber threats, physical security incidents, supply-chain disruptions, natural hazards, equipment failures, and workforce challenges.
Protecting the sector requires close coordination among manufacturers, suppliers, government agencies, and other critical infrastructure partners. CISA serves as the Sector Risk Management Agency for the Critical Manufacturing Sector and works with owners and operators to improve security, resilience, information sharing, and risk management.
