Apparel Brands: Don't Let Cyber Threats Tear Your Business at the Seams

With fashion and apparel brands increasingly falling victim to devastating cyberattacks, protecting your valuable data is more critical than ever—you need to act now. In fact, the 2025 Fashion and Apparel Industry Trends and Technology Report revealed about 60% of organizations that suffer a cyberattack go out of business within six months. Cyber threats have overtaken labor shortages and reduced demand as the most significant external pressure, with 31% of apparel organizations citing it as their top concern.

The impact of cybersecurity threats is serious. By the time a breach is detected, the damage is often irreversible, with ransomware attacks alone costing manufacturing companies an average of $17 billion since 2018. The immediate financial losses, long-term impact on customer trust and brand reputation can be devastating—making recovery an uphill battle.

For an industry driven by trends and timing, a single breach can cost millions of dollars and jeopardize future growth.

Adopting a modern, cloud-based apparel-specific enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution is your most effective defense. With built-in cybersecurity features like real-time threat detection, automated updates and data encryption, cloud-based ERP keeps your operations secure while ensuring compliance with industry standards. A robust apparel-specific solution in the cloud empowers you with scalability, seamless integration across platforms and real-time insights, so you can adapt quickly to changing demands while safeguarding the future of your business.

Understanding the risks and solutions is key to protecting your business. To help you navigate these challenges, we’ve compiled answers to the top questions apparel leaders are asking about cybersecurity and how to safeguard their operations effectively.

6 Top FAQs: Addressing Apparel Leaders' Top Cybersecurity Concerns

As cyber threats get more sophisticated, you may find it ideal to partner with a single vendor with a solid industry reputation to stay ahead and protect your business from costly disruptions. By addressing your top concerns, you can ensure your operations stay secure, resilient and prepared for what’s next.

1. Why Are Cyber Threats the Top Concern for Apparel Businesses?

Cyber threats are an escalating concern for your apparel business and the risk extends beyond larger enterprises. The same report revealed the average cost of a breach in the U.S. is $9.36 million. While you might feel that your company isn't a prime target, the reality is that nearly 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses—making it critical for you to prioritize digital security now.

A cyberattack could result in intellectual property and customer data stolen, disrupting your operations which results in production delays, disrupted supply chains, impacted customer relationship and damage to your brand. Beyond the immediate losses, rebuilding reputation could take years to repair.

2. How Do Cybercriminals Target Apparel Businesses?

Cybercriminals use a range of tactics to exploit vulnerabilities in apparel businesses, with phishing and ransomware being two of the most common methods. Phishing attacks trick employees into sharing sensitive information, while ransomware locks critical data and systems until a hefty amount of ransom is paid. Supply chain attacks are also a growing concern, where hackers infiltrate your network by targeting less-secure partners, creating a cascade of disruptions that affect your entire operation.

Apparel businesses are particularly vulnerable, with small business accounting for 43% of all cyber attacks due to weaker defenses and limited resources. This is particularly true for organizations who are not in the cloud.

Protect your business by prioritizing cybersecurity training for employees to recognize phishing attempts and enforce strict access controls. Additionally, invest in a cloud-based ERP solution with real-time threat detection and automated patches. Finally, vet your suppliers for strong cybersecurity practices to close off supply chain vulnerabilities. These steps ensure your operations remain secure against evolving threats.

3. What Are the Warning Signs of a Cybersecurity Threat?

The earliest signs of a cybersecurity threat often show up in the form of unusual login activity. You might notice failed login attempts, access from unfamiliar locations or accounts being used outside of normal business hours. These seeming anomalies can signal that a hacker is testing your defenses, looking for vulnerabilities to exploit.

Other red flags include suspicious emails containing phishing links or unauthorized software installations on company devices. These tactics are designed to bypass your systems and compromise sensitive data, often with employees unknowingly providing access.

To mitigate these risks, implement multi-factor authentication, conduct regular email security training and deploy endpoint protection software that detects unauthorized activity in real time. Proactive monitoring for these warning signs helps ensure you can respond swiftly to prevent a potential breach.

4. Are Legacy Systems Leaving Apparel Brands Vulnerable to Cyberattacks?

Relying on legacy systems leaves your business exposed to growing cybersecurity threats. These outdated platforms lack real-time updates and advanced security features, making it easier for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. The 2025 Fashion and Apparel Industry Trends and Technology Report also revealed apparel businesses are especially at risk, with many relying on outdated systems that fail to safeguard sensitive data and operations.

To protect your business, it’s essential to move away from old technology, including on-premise systems, and embrace modern solutions. Cloud-based ERP systems, for example, provide automatic updates, advanced encryption and real-time threat detection, giving you the tools to stay ahead of cyber risks. By upgrading to purpose-built software, you’re protecting your operations and positioning your brand for agility, growth and long-term resilience in a competitive market.

5. What Happens to Apparel Manufacturers After a Cybersecurity Breach?

A cybersecurity breach can disrupt every aspect of your operations, starting with an unplanned downtime that halts production and delays orders. In manufacturing, this downtime can cost businesses up to $50 billion annually, leaving you unable to fulfill commitments and meet deadlines. Beyond the immediate financial loss, the ripple effects of stalled production can strain relationships with suppliers and customers, weakening your brand’s reliability and reputation in the market.

The damage doesn’t stop there—customer trust is often the hardest to rebuild. When your organization’s sensitive data is compromised, customers instantly lose confidence in your ability to safeguard their information and loyalty shifts to competitors.

Investing in robust cybersecurity measures, such as implementing cloud-based ERP solutions with built-in threat detection and data encryption can help avoid these scenarios. Regular employee training and proactive system updates further fortify your defenses, ensuring your business remains resilient in the face of modern threats.

6. How Can Apparel Businesses Strengthen Their Cybersecurity Defenses?

Building a strong cybersecurity defense starts with your employees. Regular training ensures your team can identify phishing attempts, avoid clicking on malicious links, and report suspicious activity promptly. Equally important is endpoint protection—by securing every device in your network, you reduce entry points for cybercriminals trying to infiltrate your systems.

To truly protect your business, it’s essential to partner with a single vendor with a solid reputation in the fashion and apparel industry. A trusted provider offers an integrated solution that combines real-time security updates, advanced threat detection and seamless integration with your existing systems. This approach not only simplifies your cybersecurity strategy but ensures consistency and reliability across your entire operation, giving you peace of mind as your business grows.

A provider with deep industry expertise understands the unique challenges apparel businesses face, offering solutions that integrate seamlessly with design, production and retail systems to provide consistent protection across operations.

Strengthening Your Cybersecurity With Aptean Apparel ERP in the Cloud

Aptean Apparel ERP in the cloud offers a robust approach to protecting your apparel business from cyber threats. With automatic updates, your system is always safeguarded against the latest security risks, ensuring continuous protection. The advanced encryption used by Aptean ensures that your sensitive business data remains secure, giving you peace of mind and reinforcing your trust in the system.

A cloud-based ERP tailored to the apparel industry ensures seamless integration across e-commerce platforms, provides real-time visibility into inventory and helps meet complex regulatory requirements.

Real-time monitoring within Aptean’s cloud platform significantly reduces the risk of downtime, keeping your operations running smoothly. Should a disruption occur, seamless disaster recovery processes ensure business continuity, minimizing financial losses. This operational stability allows you to focus on growing your business, knowing that your systems are secure and resilient.

Aptean’s cloud ERP adapts to your evolving business needs, providing scalable solutions that grow with you. Integrated compliance features streamline regulatory processes, so you stay ahead of industry standards. By upgrading to Aptean, you position your business for future growth while ensuring both security and operational efficiency—protect your business today by evaluating your current systems and considering Aptean’s secure, future-proof solution.

Don’t wait until a breach jeopardizes your business. Watch our insightful recorded webinar or schedule your personalized demo today to learn how secure apparel ERP solution can protect your operations and reputation.