Manufacturing Magazine August 2024 | Page 75

PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS
from cyber incidents , reducing how dramatic a breach ’ s impact is and their subsequent downtime . “ Implementing strategies for incident response and business continuity planning also ensures resilience in the face of cyber incidents ,” Dharminder explains . “ At the same time , collaboration and informationsharing initiatives help keep organisations informed about emerging threats and best practices .”
Manufacturers must also remember that cyber threats , by their very nature , are dynamic and continually evolving .
No cybersecurity technology or approach , no matter how fortified and uncrackable it may seem , is completely immune to the intelligent , tech-savvy and money-hungry machinations of cyber criminals . Communication , awareness and education are key , as anyone can be an entrance point – from the wider workforce to manufacturing executives .
“ Enterprises should encourage stakeholders and staff to adopt a culture of cybersecurity awareness and work with colleagues in the field and cybersecurity specialists to stay up to date on best practices and new threats ,” Dharminder says . “ Manufacturers may secure their operations , preserve sensitive data , and guarantee the resilience of their interconnected systems in the face of emerging cyber threats by adopting cybersecurity as a core element of their IoT strategy .” While IIoT brings new cybersecurity challenges , the benefits it ’ s had for manufacturers are certainly worth it – the sector just needs to adapt , and Dharminder finishes with a concluding message on how .
“ Embracing IoT brings immense potential for innovation and efficiency , but it also introduces new vulnerabilities and risks . Therefore , my message to manufacturers is this : prioritise cybersecurity from the outset of IoT implementation and adopt a proactive approach by integrating robust security measures into IoT devices , networks , and processes . It starts by implementing a zero trust strategy , access controls , and regular software updates to mitigate potential threats .” manufacturingdigital . com 75