Security of cyber-physical Additive Manufacturing supply chain: Survey, attack taxonomy and solutions

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is transforming industries by enabling rapid prototyping and customised production. However, as AM processes become increasingly digitised and interconnected, they introduce significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including intellectual property theft, design manipulation, and counterfeit production. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of cyber and cyber–physical threats within the AM supply chain, addressing a critical research gap that has largely focused on isolated security aspects. Building upon existing taxonomies, we expand cybersecurity frameworks to incorporate emerging AM-specific threats. We propose a structured attack taxonomy that categorises threats by attacker goals, targets, and methods, supported by real-world case studies. The paper emphasizes the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect intellectual property, ensure production integrity, and strengthen supply chain security. Finally, we present mitigation strategies to counter these threats, laying the foundation for future research and best practices to secure AM ecosystems. • Conducts a comprehensive cybersecurity risk analysis across the AM supply chain. • Enhances Yampolskiy et al.’s framework to address emerging AM cybersecurity challenges. • Develops an attack taxonomy categorising threats by goals, targets, and methods. • Proposes advanced mitigation strategies for evolving AM cybersecurity risks.

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Publication Details

Journal
Computers & Security
Published
2025-06-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2025.104557
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.37
Controls
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article

Security of cyber-physical Additive Manufacturing supply chain: Survey, attack taxonomy and solutions

Gregory Epiphaniou, Mahender Kumar, Carsten R. Maple
2 citations
Computers & Security
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
1.37
article

Security of cyber-physical Additive Manufacturing supply chain: Survey, attack taxonomy and solutions

Gregory Epiphaniou, Mahender Kumar, Carsten R. Maple
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is transforming industries by enabling rapid prototyping and customised production. However, as AM processes become increasingly digitised and interconnected, they introduce significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including intellectual property theft, design manipulation, and counterfeit production. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of cyber and cyber–physical threats within the AM supply chain, addressing a critical research gap that has largely focused on isolated security aspects. Building upon existing taxonomies, we expand cybersecurity frameworks to incorporate emerging AM-specific threats. We propose a structured attack taxonomy that categorises threats by attacker goals, targets, and methods, supported by real-world case studies. The paper emphasizes the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect intellectual property, ensure production integrity, and strengthen supply chain security. Finally, we present mitigation strategies to counter these threats, laying the foundation for future research and best practices to secure AM ecosystems. • Conducts a comprehensive cybersecurity risk analysis across the AM supply chain. • Enhances Yampolskiy et al.’s framework to address emerging AM cybersecurity challenges. • Develops an attack taxonomy categorising threats by goals, targets, and methods. • Proposes advanced mitigation strategies for evolving AM cybersecurity risks.

Computers & SecurityVol. 157
University of Warwick (GB)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
1.37
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