Manufacturers Taking Cybersecurity More Seriously in Light of Growing Threats
Most modern manufacturing facilities bear little resemblance to the hot, dirty facilities many people still imagine when they think of manufacturing. Instead, today’s manufacturing workplaces boast clean, comfortable environs suitable for the advanced automation technologies that have enabled manufacturers to be more productive and efficient than ever before.
The advancements that result from new automation technologies aren’t without their costs, however. According to a recent IndustryWeek article by Stephen Gold, “These are harrowing times for manufacturing professionals who, in an era of Industry 4.0, are trying to integrate their information technology and operational technology while defending against the dramatically rising threat of cyber criminals.”
Eschewing these new technologies isn’t an option, according to Gold: “It’s not like they have a choice on whether to integrate their IT with OT such as machine automation, industrial control systems (ICS), robotics, programmable logistics controllers (PLCs) and building management systems (BMS). Successful IT/OT collaboration is critical to modern manufacturers’ digital strategies.”
Unfortunately, these same technologies have become “the portal where cyber criminals gain entry to the lifeblood of the company: factory operations.” Is the threat really that serious, though? Indeed, it is. According to IBM’s X-Force Threat Intelligence, “in 2021, manufacturing surpassed finance and insurance as the top targeted sector of cyber bad actors. Today, 1 out of every 4 cyber-attacks on business are against manufacturers.”
Why target manufacturers? One potential reason is the fact that many manufacturers have been quick to adopt new technologies but slow to ensure that those technologies are secure. Another key reason is that, “[d]espite FBI guidance, manufacturers pay the requested ransom more often than other industries – and at typically higher rates.”
Fortunately, manufacturers appear to be “meeting the challenge head on.” A recent study “found that American manufacturers’ level of cyber maturity is catching up to their accelerated pace of digital transformation. This is vital because, while financial extortion related to data theft is a serious risk, infiltration of operating systems with the intent to sabotage or even shut them down poses an existential threat to manufacturers.”
The first step to address cybersecurity risks is raising awareness of and acknowledging the issue. Much progress has been made in this area. The study found that, “[w]hen asked to rank cybersecurity as a business risk, 80% put it in the top five, 10 percentage points higher than three years ago. And no wonder: that same percentage experienced at least one breach resulting in unauthorized access to data in the previous 12 months.”
While not every manufacturer gets hit with a ransom demand, the effects of cyberattacks can be widespread and devastating. Manufacturers have reported issues ranging from operational outages that affected revenue to significant loss of business-critical data and intellectual property.
The key to effective cybersecurity remains efficiently managing IT and OT threats. However, “manufacturers face one primary obstacle to ultimate success: finding in-house expertise to oversee the cyber threat, a high hurdle considering the broader skilled talent shortage being experienced.”
The manufacturing skills gap is real, and it’s even more critical in the area of cybersecurity. According to a recent survey, “roughly 8 out of 10 manufacturers pointed to scarcity of talent and expertise as a key barrier to effective breach response within the last year.” That’s why it’s critical for manufacturers to hire highly skilled workers that can manage cybersecurity risks, in addition to operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing the advanced automation systems that are being implemented.
How can manufacturers find the workers they need? And how can they be sure that workers have the hands-on skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace? Today, more and more manufacturers are looking for workers with industry-standard certifications that prove they have the skills employers need. For example, if workers possess a certification from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), employers can feel confident they’ve already proven they have the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for working with advanced smart automation technologies. SACA has been hard at work collaborating with industry leaders to develop a wide variety of industry-standard certifications that will help employers find workers who possess the advanced connected-systems skills they need to take their businesses to the next level. Be sure to check out SACA and all it has to offer!
- Published in News
SACA & Endress+Hauser Seek Experts for Technical Work Group
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) is pleased to announce that it is partnering with Endress+Hauser to host an exclusive Process Control Technical Work Group meeting on April 2nd, 2024, in Pearland, Texas.
SACA and Endress+Hauser need experts in the process control and instrumentation industry to help validate certification standards for process control in three key areas:
- Process Instrumentation
- Basic Process Control
- Advanced Process Control
This meeting represents your opportunity to provide input on the skills and competencies needed for today’s smart manufacturing workforce. Your input will be used to create nationally-recognized, occupation-driven certifications. Additionally, SACA will seek your feedback on future needs of industry and technology trends that will help shape its strategy moving forward.
Why should you participate? Not only will you gain recognition as a national leader in process control automation and first access to state-of-the-art industry standards, but you’ll also ensure that your company’s skill needs are addressed by a nationally-recognized certification.
Interested? Here are the details:
SACA and Endress+Hauser Process Control Technical Work Group
April 2, 2024
Endress+Hauser Gulf Coast Regional Center
14525 Kirby Drive, Pearland, Texas 77047
Click here to download a flyer with the agenda.
Plan to attend? RSVP here.
About SACA
SACA sits at the forefront of the effort to certify students and workers who demonstrate the required knowledge and hands-on smart automation skills employers so desperately need. SACA’s certifications were developed in conjunction with industry partners who could speak from experience about their needs when it comes to workers able to work alongside a variety of advanced automation technologies.
SACA offers a wide variety of certifications in popular industrial skill areas, including certifications at the Associate, Specialist, and Professional level. For those wishing to focus on building a strong foundation of skills employers need, SACA also offers many micro-credentials that allow students and workers to add certifications as they master new areas.
For workers, SACA certifications can help market their smart automation skills to potential employers. For those employers, SACA certifications represent confirmation that a worker has the skills to hit the ground running in the workplace. To learn more about Industry 4.0 certifications and how SACA can help both future workers and industrial employers begin the task of bridging the Industry 4.0 skills gap, contact SACA for more information.
- Published in News