News


From the Editor's desk: Bryan Baxter talks cybersecurity

August 2021 News

This month, SA Instrumentation and Control welcomes Bryan Baxter to the editorial fold. Bryan, a 20-year IT Industry veteran, recently joined Wolfpack Information Risk where his extensive knowledge of IT and information security is proving invaluable to clients. We first met Bryan at one of the SAIMC Durban branch virtual technology evenings, where he presented to members on the importance of effective cybersecurity for industrial networks.

Two things really impressed us about the presentation. First was the extent of Bryan’s knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, and second, was the unbridled enthusiasm he projected – not always an easy thing to do with only virtual audience participation. At SAI&C we have long held the view that as OT and IT converge, good cybersecurity practice on the control networks is going to become ever more critical. With that in mind, we were delighted when Bryan agreed to author a series of articles that will run in the magazine over the coming months.


Steven Meyer, Editor

As the series unfolds, Bryan will cover several areas of vulnerability presented by industrial networks to opportunistic hackers, from the threat posed by people on site, to the organisations’ suppliers and their IT systems, to the impact of 4IR on cybersecurity for OT systems.

The first article in the series positions the problem by posing the question: How safe are our factories? From the cybersecurity perspective, this question earned its relevance in the aftermath of the ingenious Stuxnet attack that tore apart the centrifuges at a nuclear facility in Iran, while fooling operators into thinking everything was running smoothly.

The sophistication of the Stuxnet malware was evident in its ability to do absolutely nothing until it identified the specific control architecture it was designed to attack, whereupon all hell broke loose. Since then, the number of cyberattacks against industrial facilities has been on the rise, culminating in the recent Darkside takeover of Colonial Pipeline’s systems.

There is no doubt that cybersecurity is an issue that manufacturing CIOs must now take very seriously. But, as in the IT world, it’s a problem that involves us all and constant awareness is a big part of the solution. Bryan’s first article appears here: http://www.instrumentation.co.za/13900r – it’s well worth a read.

Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing

Due to a shift in emphasis towards sustainability and waste elimination in manufacturing, we have put together a new handbook to accompany the August issue of the magazine. In essence, sustainable manufacturing is an expanded form of traditional production strategy designed to minimise negative impact on society and the environment. Since automation provides the nexus between sustainability and manufacturing, automation vendors are tackling the problem on two fronts. Firstly, they are looking inward at their own operations and refurbishing their office space and production facilities to ensure the sustainability of their own companies. And secondly, they are looking outward to develop new products and services that address sustainability dilemmas within their customers’ organisations.

This is the stuff of the new Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing, which presents the subject through application studies, product news, and relevant sustainability reports. We hope you find it useful.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
Helm wins for AI and automation at Business Excellence Awards
News
Helm, the South African leader in AI-powered customer experience solutions, has been recognised at the Business Excellence Awards 2025, receiving two prestigious awards.

Read more...
Schneider Electric launches first Innovation Hub in Africa
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric has officially launched its first Innovation Hub in Africa. This provides an interactive environment where visitors can explore the company’s integrated solutions across key segments and businesses such as energy, buildings, data centres, industrial, and power and grid.

Read more...
4Sight OT Automation receives Schneider Sustainability Impact Award
Schneider Electric South Africa News
4Sight OT Automation is a winner of the Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Award in South Africa.

Read more...
A strategic milestone for Conical Technologies
Conical Technologies News
Conical Technologies has been appointed as the sole distributor in southern Africa for Mibbo, manufacturers of a vast array of products for the automation industry.

Read more...
Robotics TechTalk at UKZN
News
The Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technology Lab at the University of KwaZulu-Natal recently held an exciting TechTalk. It was an opportunity to introduce students to the IEEE Robotics and Automation chapter, SAIMC, and the Robotics Association of South Africa.

Read more...
Top laboratory industry trends in the spotlight at analytica Lab Africa 2025
News
The future of laboratories and transformative diagnostic technologies will come under the spotlight in July at analytica Lab Africa, South Africa’s only trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, biotechnology and diagnostics.

Read more...
Schneider Electric honoured with Gender Leader Award
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric has been awarded the Gender Leader Award at this year’s Africa CEO Forum. This award acknowledges those organisations operating in Africa that have shown a significant and continuous commitment to gender diversity and inclusion.

Read more...
Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 closes on a high note
News
The Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 officially wrapped up after three dynamic days at Gallagher Convention Centre, cementing its status as Africa’s leading platform for industrial automation, AI and IoT.

Read more...
A new generation of solar professionals
News
A new generation of solar professionals is rising in Cape Town. The second cohort of the Solar Youth Project has just completed an intensive eight-week training course and is ready to take on the next stage, 10 months of work experience.

Read more...