Implementing Industry 4.0: Steps to Ensure Reliable Cybersecurity

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Patricia Toth, director of FairWinds Cybersecurity, shares recommendations for InformationWeek that manufacturers can follow to improve their security posture, protect their investments, and take meaningful steps toward creating a robust cybersecurity strategy that meets the demands of Industry 4.0.

Effective cybersecurity practices are critical to protecting Industry 4.0 cyber-physical systems that rely on the Internet and cloud-based software for advanced manufacturing and automation, as well as their complex connections within the enterprise. These connections are vital to ensuring that manufacturing systems continually provide the accurate and timely data needed to successfully implement the Industry 4.0 model.

In the past, corporate systems in manufacturing plants singapore mobile database within their own boundaries. There was a physical and electronic separation between the shop floor and the company office. Very few manufacturing systems were interconnected or connected to the Internet. This approach, called an “air gap,” provided a high level of protection. Because manufacturers remained isolated from the potential risks of connectivity, they were considered unattractive targets for attackers, which deterred them from attempting to introduce malware.

Today, the ubiquity of the Internet and mobile devices has blurred the once-clear lines between traditional information technology (IT) systems and operational technology (OT), which includes manufacturing systems and other equipment. And the rise of hybrid and fully remote workers has naturally blurred the lines even further. At the same time, attempts to breach the once-reliable “air gap” have increased significantly. As a result, the manufacturing sector has become a prime target for cyberattacks.