Op-ed: Manufacturer’s focus shifts to bolstering defense at digital access points: the emergence of five walled factories

Manufacturing today is no longer defined by assembly lines, forklifts and four physical walls. Today’s factories are now software-based, cloud-enabled and cloud-connected. Manufacturers are doubling down on automation, AI and connected devices to boost productivity. These advancements require 24/7 connectivity to power data-driven insights and fuel AI and automated systems. However, it also introduces new vulnerabilities. Enter the “five-walled factory,” where the digital perimeter is as critical as the physical space, safeguarding everything from edge-connected robots to cloud-based analytics.

In this age of fiber optics, 5G and cloud-first operations, a new dimension of protection is needed. The fifth wall represents the critical shift manufacturers are facing. There’s a greater priority on the fiber, mobile and cloud infrastructure, which manage all the information and insights going in and out digitally. Defending these access points is now a top priority.

For any manufacturer embracing Industry 4.0, this extra layer of defense is not optional; it’s essential. Just as a four-walled facility protects machinery, raw materials and workers, a five-walled factory must fortify the non-visible infrastructure that now drives modern manufacturing.

Securing five-walled factories starts with the network

The stakes for manufacturers have never been higher. The financial impact of cyberattacks can range from millions in downtime and ransomware payouts to the slowdown or stoppage of global supply chains. Traditional perimeter-based security models, designed for static offices and desktop computers, simply don’t apply to an industrial environment where mobile robots, remote operators and third-party service providers are constantly interacting with mission-critical systems.

As manufacturers adopt more AI, edge computing, digital twins and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), they’re extending their operations into entirely digital domains. Manufacturers need to be able to safely exchange critical data like live inventory or maintenance data with suppliers to optimize production while minimizing exposure. Each new connected endpoint, from a robot on the floor to a sensor in a machine, is a potential target for malicious access. That’s why we must reimagine the network as a strategic control layer, not just connectivity.

5G core and open RAN

Emerging network technologies like 5G Core and Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) are enabling manufacturers to take back control, not just of their operations, but of their risk posture. A 5G Core acts as the network’s central nervous system,  intelligently routing data, managing connections and enforcing security protocols at scale. Open RAN enables modular, vendor-agnostic networks that can evolve as needs change, ensuring security is built-in from day one.

With network slicing, a feature of advanced 5G, factories can create customized “lanes” for different users or applications. In the five-walled factory, network slicing ensures that time-sensitive tasks like real-time quality inspection or robotics automation get top-priority, isolated bandwidth – uninterrupted by guest devices or back-office applications.

Edge computing further strengthens this defense, keeping data and decisions local, reducing exposure and increasing control. Integrated security protocols from encryption to device authentication make unauthorized access exponentially harder.

A shift from reactive to resilient

We’re already seeing leading manufacturers prioritize their factory’s fifth wall. In one case, a major appliance manufacturer deployed a private 5G network alongside edge AI systems to inspect components on the line. By processing data locally, they not only reduced cloud exposure but achieved real-time quality improvements with encrypted, tamper-resistant audit logs.

Another facility secured its fleet of autonomous guided vehicles through a network slice dedicated exclusively to AGV communications. Even during peak network traffic, safety signals retained priority and latency-sensitive navigation remained uninterrupted. These scenarios are happening now, and they highlight the shift from reactive patching to built-in protection.

Advice for leaders – build your fifth wall before you need it

A secure network isn’t a static blueprint. It’s a living system that must evolve with the factory itself. Here’s where manufacturers should start:

• Conduct a Digital Surface Audit: Identify all connected assets – machines, sensors, gateways – and assess their current exposure.
• Pilot Secure Network Projects: Test 5G Core or Open RAN implementations in a controlled part of the plant to validate performance and risk reduction.
• Design for Segmentation and Redundancy: Use network slicing, edge processing, and local fail-safes to prevent single points of failure.
• Upskill the Workforce: Equip frontline staff and IT/OT teams with the knowledge to monitor, secure and maintain a five-walled infrastructure.
• Collaborate with Experts: Use a connectivity partner to co-design solutions that match your security needs and growth goals.

Over the next five years, AI, real-time data and multi-cloud environments will transform manufacturing. However, without a strong fifth wall, even the most advanced automation is vulnerable. Connectivity and security can no longer be separate conversations.

As the digital supply chain expands, so does the need for trust. Manufacturers must ensure every new connection—whether to a supplier, device or data stream—is wrapped in a digital layer of protection. Only then can they unlock the full promise of Industry 4.0 and prepare for what’s next: Industry 5.0, 6G and beyond.

Author: Ande Hazard, Vice President – Global Enterprise, AT&T Business

Ande is Vice President of Global Enterprise at AT&T, leading a team of 270 sales and technical professionals to deliver the full range of AT&T products, services and global solutions to over 700 enterprise clients, representing $3.5B in annual revenue for AT&T Business. Her business organization works with hundreds of enterprises across the Manufacturing, Transportation, Logistics, Consumer Packaged Foods, Financial Services, Wealth Management, Insurance, Utility and Professional Services industries. With over 26 years of experience in telecommunications, she has held several leadership roles across sales, engineering, and technical strategy at AT&T and is passionate about mentoring women in sales and technology.