Radwell International’s Blog

Cybersecurity compliance is important for manufacturers. In today’s connected world, there are so many things that can negatively affect manufacturing operations when cybersecurity is not taken seriously. When manufacturers produce work in certain settings or for certain organizations, they are required to meet certain standards for cybersecurity compliance. What can manufacturers do to insure they meet the proper criteria no matter what? In a recent chat for USA Manufacturing Hour on Twitter, host Gina Tabasso from MAGNET in Ohio led a discussion about cybersecurity compliance for manufacturers.

As technology continues to advance, and globalization increases, manufacturers must be prepared for cybersecurity breaches daily. The gaps in security have changed dramatically in recent years with the proliferation of mobile devices, cloud-based services, cybercrime, and more.

The Colonial Pipeline, Iranian Centrifuges, large financial companies and large companies in general, big cities – these are the notable targets of cyber attackers. Seen within this context, it is easy to assume your company is an unlikely target for a cyberattack and therefore, does not need to be stringent about protecting your manufacturing systems. Let us explode this myth.

Along with the rapid growth of technology, comes the growth of cyber attacks. This is an issue that the manufacturing industry, along with many others, have been facing. Manufacturing is becoming more technology based by the day. Keeping up with the knowledge of cyber security and attacks is crucial.

It is important for companies to acknowledge the possibility of a cyber attack, have strategies of prevention, and have a plan in case they are affected by an attack. Taking the proper steps in a timely manner can save a manufacturing company from finding themselves in a devastating situation.

Did you know that manufacturing is the 2^nd most targeted industry by hackers? With that in mind, addressing cybersecurity is more important than ever in the manufacturing industry. Although IIoT and Industry 4.0 in manufacturing create many positive benefits for operations, they also create vulnerabilities within systems. These vulnerabilities make it possible for hackers to gain access to an organization’s systems, equipment and critical data. Because smart manufacturing often connects entire systems, this often allows hackers full system access unless there are proper protections in place.  Companies have traditionally focused on information security in which vulnerabilities were introduced through desktops or server computing.    IIOT and Industry 4.0 have introduced an additional layer of vulnerabilities and threats.

Cybersecurity poses a serious threat to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) enabled devices and robotic automation equipment. Attackers who gain access to industrial networks have a number of devastating options available to them, from changing production data to causing harmful production errors.

Cybersecurity in the robotics field is still immature, but manufacturers are starting to realize the vulnerability that connected robots and automation equipment creates in their operations. For those seeking to beef up their cybersecurity and protect their business, there are a number of options available to them.