IndusTry 4.0 / sMArT FACTOrIEs


resolution, cut down long processes and enable factories to keep working at the same productivity level.


data Is kIng In manufacturing, they say that data is the new gold. It is the value and intelligence of a business, so it needs the most attention. In manufacturing, data is everywhere. It helps run a smart factory, increases transparency, and provides quality checks, tracking information and production analytics. By investing in data and network


capabilities, leadership teams can achieve a better understanding of where marginal gains are and make smarter plans for the future. Manufacturers can work in partnership with IT managed service providers, like Timico, who recognise the value of data and invest millions of pounds in managing and running data and application workloads in hybrid cloud environments.


stop downtIMe before It Is too late downtime caused by outages or unsolved technology issues can cause a multitude of problems. If any part of the IT system goes down, this can negatively impact or even stop operations, leading to unproductivity and orders being unfulfilled. software- defined wide area networking (sd-WAn) is a key solution for connectivity, security and availability. It helps manufacturers avoid downtime, by streamlining high data usage and stopping applications from overwhelming the network. sd-WAn provides an overlay to an


existing network, giving the manufacturer complete control and visibility regardless of where the traffic originates. The solution also offers accurate data that enables decision makers to steer the business towards greater efficiency, which in turn, reduces overheads and increases productivity. In addition to deploying sd-WAn,


manufacturers can work with an IT provider to utilise a Cloud Monitoring as a service (CMaas) solution. CMaas is a managed service system whereby the IT provider can proactively monitor systems, applications, websites and the IT infrastructure all in one place 24/7. In doing so, they can detect and respond to any issues such as hardware malfunctions, security incidents or server failover, before it impacts operations. As we head into a new era beyond COVId-


19, there is no doubt that manufacturers will face new challenges. However, by deploying the right technology now which both enables and enhances productivity, businesses will be in a better position to respond to rapid changes, and ultimately thrive in a fiercely competitive manufacturing market.


timico www.timico.com


Modern manufacturing relies on interconnected robots to make industry 4.0 a reality. here neil ballinger, head of eMea sales at eu automation, explains how industrial robots could be hacked and what can be done to mitigate the threat of cybercrime.


n recent years, manufacturing companies have invested heavily in industrial automation. McKinsey, a consultancy firm, estimates that the market for industrial robots has been expanding at approximately 19 per cent since 2012 and is now worth 16.2 billion dollars. As robots become more ubiquitous, their vulnerability to cyberattacks becomes a more pressing concern.


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the threat Is real Every year, hackers and IT professionals meet at the Black Hat cyber security conference. This year, Federico Maggi, a researcher at Trend Micro, and Marcello Pogliani, an information security researcher at Politecnico di Milano, presented a report entitled “rogue automation” in which they presented new vulnerabilities in the software of industrial robots to cyberattacks. The research reveals previously unknown ways of how an advanced hacker can perform


targeted attacks on robots. What makes this possible is a lack of layered user authorisations in software. Once a perpetrator has gained access to the peripheral layers of the software, the entire operating system of the robot could potentially be hacked. The two researchers believe that existing security mechanisms are not sufficient to protect robots


because they have not been embedded in the programming language of the operating system. Affected are industrial automation robots in sectors as diverse as automotive, avionics, military,


pharmaceuticals, food and beverage. The authors of the report argue that if such robots were hacked, the consequences could range from downtime of factory lines to physical or environmental harm.


spottIng loopholes One of the challenges in mitigating these newly discovered software vulnerabilities is integrating different software from new machines with legacy technology. The programming language of industrial robots is often vendor specific. On the factory floor, machines from different vendors, bought over a long timeframe are required to interact seamlessly with each other. However, some legacy equipment contains code that was written before the time of code checkers, which nowadays spot loopholes automatically. What can be done to make industrial robots more secure? To reduce vulnerabilities, process


engineers should segment networks and isolate machines that process data from outside. Moreover, networks and their endpoints should be protected. Changes to the software should be reviewed regularly and documented scrupulously. Tackling the problem of cybercrime in industrial automation requires the close collaboration


of installation engineers, maintenance technicians, IT service providers and parts suppliers. Industry 4.0 can only be made a reality if manufacturers are able to trust that their industrial automation equipment is safe from cyberattacks.


www.euautomation.com/uk/


CyberattaCks on robots Could threaten Industry 4.0


FACTOry&HAndLInGsOLuTIOns | MAy 2021 15


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