A Frost & Sullivan White Paper in partnership with Schneider Electric.
The proliferation of cyber threats has prompted asset owners in industrial environments to search for security solutions that can protect their assets and prevent potentially significant monetary loss and brand erosion.
While some industries have made progress in minimising the risk of cyber attacks, the barriers to improving cybersecurity remain high. More open and collaborative networks have made systems more vulnerable to attack. End user awareness and appreciation of the level of risk is inadequate across most industries outside critical infrastructure environments. The uncertainty in the regulatory landscape also remains a significant restraint. With the increased use of commercial off-the-shelf IT solutions in industrial environments, control system availability is vulnerable to malware targeted at commercial systems. Inadequate expertise in industrial IT networks is a sector-wide challenge.
Against this background, organisations need to collaborate with a solutions provider who understands the unique characteristics of the industrial environment and is committed to security. One such solutions provider, Schneider Electric, helps its customers adopt the multi-layered Defence-in-Depth approach through a holistic, systematic plan to mitigate risk. This includes improved security features on current and upcoming solutions, the use of the Automation Systems Manager (ASM) to monitor, manage and protect assets, and a comprehensive suite of services to support customers. With this expertise, organisations can move from reactive and ad hoc responses, to a proactive, planned and holistic approach to security.
The exponential increase in cyber threat levels
Over the last decade, the rise in cyber attacks on critical infrastructure has resulted in cyber security becoming a central concern amongst industrial automation and control system users and vendors. These strategic attacks are aimed at disrupting industrial activity for monetary, competitive, political or social gain, or even as a result of a personal grievance.
Cyber threats are primarily aimed at industrial control systems such as DCSs, PLCs, scada systems and HMIs, through loopholes that can range from unsecured remote access, to inadequate firewalls, to a lack of network segmentation.
Such threats are not a new phenomenon. However, a spate of high-profile attacks over the last decade has brought this issue to centre stage. While motivations for intentional attacks vary, the key attack vectors for any cyber threat are typically as follows:
• Physical intrusion or a cyber attack.
• People and processes.
• Control systems vulnerabilities (hardware and software).
Prefabricated data centres for an AI-focused future at the edge Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
As AI technologies continue to advance, data centres are being pushed to the edge, reshaping their operations to meet daily demands. To meet the relentless demands of AI workloads at the edge, prefabricated data centre solutions offer a scalable, efficient and fast alternative to traditional builds.
Read more...Quantum computing and its impact on data security: a double-edged sword for the digital age
IT in Manufacturing
Quantum computing is poised to redefine the boundaries of data security, offering groundbreaking solutions while threatening modern encryption’s foundations. For third-party IT providers, this duality presents both a challenge and an opportunity to lead organisations through one of the most significant technological transitions in decades.
Read more...Next-generation road-legal race car. Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) will move to the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software and use it to develop the next generation of its single-seater road-legal race car, Mono.
Read more...Cybersecurity at a crossroads
IT in Manufacturing
here’s a growing unease in boardrooms, data centres and cabinet offices across South Africa. It’s not just about economic headwinds or political uncertainty, it’s about something quieter, more technical and yet just as dangerous - the rising tide of cyber threats.
Read more...Navigating discrete manufacturing in South Africa through digitalisation
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa’s discrete manufacturing sector faces mounting pressure from global competition, fragmented supply chains and outdated infrastructure. In this complex environment, digitalisation is a critical lever for survival, resilience and growth.
Read more...World first simulation of error-correctable quantum computers
IT in Manufacturing
Quantum computers still face a major hurdle on their pathway to practical use cases, their limited ability to correct the arising computational errors. In a world first, researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have unveiled a method for simulating specific types of error-corrected quantum computations.
Read more...Platform to accelerate supply chain decarbonisation Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric has launched Zeigo Hub by Schneider Electric, a powerful new digital platform designed to help organisations decarbonise their supply chains at scale.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version