What You Need to Know About Cybersecurity and Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is the latest step in the Industrial Revolution.
You might have heard some phrases recently that all of a sudden seem to be everywhere, such as "Industry 4.0."
Four key technology revolutions have altered industry and manufacturing over the past century. First, mechanisation with steam and waterpower. Second, mass production and electricity. Third, the rise of IT and automation.
Industry 4.0 is the latest industrial revolution. According to PwC's Insights, Industry 4.0 "connects machines, people, and physical assets into an integrated digital ecosystem that generates, analyses, and conveys data without human involvement." Interconnectivity, automation, machine learning, and real-time data are emphasised. IIoT and smart manufacturing include Industry 4.0. It combines physical production and operations with smart digital technologies, machine learning, and big data to improve manufacturing and supply chain management systems.
Every company is different, but they all need real-time information across processes, products, and people.
Industry 4.0 is projected to revolutionise industry, like steam power did in the 1800s. The quantity of interconnected devices used now allows for sophisticated management and technological decision-making, which improves output. Industry 4.0 can actionableize data. If used effectively, system-wide information can be a valuable tool.
New technologies will boost manufacturing, but they're risky. Streaming company-sensitive data across a network of small, power-sensitive, deeply embedded devices offers a distinct threat scenario from the PC-based strategy most SMMs employ today.
Industry 4.0 has four interlocking parts:
Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Cobots
CPS combine sensors, sensor networks, and embedded computing to monitor and control the physical environment. Feedback loops allow external inputs to activate the system through communication, control, or computing. A CPS is an internet-enabled pump or compressor equipped with computers and sensors and actuators.
Manufacturers are using cobots, which interact directly with humans in a shared workspace. Cobots consist of a mechanical arm that may be trained to conduct material handling, assembly, quality inspection, and packaging alongside people. Cobots may pose safety issues, notwithstanding recent improvements. Close human collaboration necessitates a risk assessment to protect personnel and equipment.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data
IoT is a network of devices with the hardware, software, firmware, and actuators to connect, interact, and exchange data. IoT connects "things" to the internet and each other. Big data offers more efficient processing and storage of IoT data collected by sensors. IoT and big data increase production by collecting and analysing data.
Cloud Manufacturing (CMfg)
Internal or external cloud applications can transform manufacturing resources and capabilities into services. These services can then be managed and operated collectively, allowing resource pooling and circulation. Cloud manufacturing offers safe, reliable, high-quality, cheap, on-demand services throughout the entire production lifecycle. CMfg is a parallel, networked, distributed system consisting of a virtualized service pool of manufacturing resources and capabilities. This includes sophisticated management and on-demand services to help all product manufacturers.
Automation
All data-collection and communication systems aim to make production more efficient and autonomous. Industry 4.0's base. Technology connects previously independent systems through hardware and software, provides information transparency, augments human decision-making, and decentralises decisions inside technological systems to eliminate human intervention.
All four parts of Industry 4.0 rely on machinery and production management systems-Manufacturing information-Manufacturing lifecycle information.
With Industry 4.0, all departments would be able to make better use of data. Data would be presented in a way that was easy to understand, giving actionable information and helping to modernise business. It would make it easier for departments to talk to each other and for customers and suppliers to talk to the company.
Industry 4.0 seems to solve a lot of production problems, but there may be new cybersecurity problems as a result. When sensors and remote access are used, hackers, cybercriminals, and even competitors in the same field may be able to get into systems. Before implementing new technologies, a cyber risk assessment should be done to fully understand the company's cybersecurity needs and abilities. Know what the benefits of Industry 4.0 are and what the potential cybersecurity risks may be.