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

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 emphasises 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.