Omron Corporation and Cisco Systems have agreed to collaborate by integrating Cisco’s leading networking and security technology into Omron PLCs, designed to deliver reliability under extreme conditions at manufacturing plants. Through this collaboration, the two companies will enhance the security of today’s increasingly intelligent IIoT-enabled manufacturing sites by helping to ensure safe and secure production.
As the IIoT becomes increasingly widespread, the number of connected devices is expected to reach 50 billion by 2020. Moreover, manufacturers around the world are working to strengthen their global competitiveness and corporate value by improving their manufacturing capabilities. The industry is also rising to the challenge of making manufacturing sites intelligent through the active use of digital technologies. At the same time, manufacturing sites are facing more serious threats than ever before, as evidenced by reported cases of disrupted production due to ransomware and other malware attacks.
Furthermore, customers and the market are demanding higher levels of quality and safety through more stringent regulations on food and pharmaceutical products, as well as traceability to ensure the quality of individual components in the electronic parts industry. Manufacturers face significant challenges in continuing to improve their capabilities while addressing the above issues in the manufacturing environment and fulfilling their corporate social responsibility.
Omron and Cisco will work together to construct a secure environment where PLCs, as core automation components, provide security authentication for three discreet elements, namely people at manufacturing sites, devices connected to machinery and production lines, and data exchanged. By integrating Cisco’s globally proven network and security expertise with Omron’s controller technology, which brings together control and information, the companies will contribute to advances in manufacturing by enabling the safe and secure use of the IIoT at manufacturing sites.
Prior to forming this technological partnership, Omron developed the Machine Automation Controller NJ Series, the flagship PLC that comes standard with the OPC UA server and is compliant with the security enabled global communications standard. The new PLCs enable secure data communication with software and devices supporting OPC UA.
In addition, by combining Omron’s PLCs with Cisco’s network and security technology, the companies will expand the range of solutions available for the authentication of people and devices.
Transforming pulp and paper with automation and digitalisation ABB South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The pulp and paper industry in South Africa is undergoing a significant transformation from traditional manual processes to embracing automation technologies. Automation in pulp and paper mills aims to improve various production stages, from raw material preparation to final product creation.
Read more...Protecting industrial networks with resilient defence RJ Connect
IT in Manufacturing
Network security is no longer just about preventing hacking or data breaches. For operational technology networks, resilient defence and consistent uptime are crucial. They are the core tenets that underpin Moxa’s guarded uptime and resilient defence (GUARD).
Read more...The metaverse is now: are you ready to reimagine your business?
IT in Manufacturing
The convergence of the digital and physical worlds, driven by spatial computing and the metaverse, is rapidly reshaping business landscapes. This transformation extends beyond the mere novelty of virtual reality headsets and augmented reality filters, signalling a fundamental shift in how organisations operate, collaborate and innovate.
Read more...AI and cyber security: South Africa’s next battleground
IT in Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a double-edged sword in the world of cybersecurity. In South Africa, where cybercrime is on the rise, AI presents both an opportunity and a threat.Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a double-edged sword in the world of cybersecurity. In South Africa, where cybercrime is on the rise, AI presents both an opportunity and a threat.
Read more...Addressing the cooling needs of the modern data centre Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The rise in hardware density in data centres is gaining speed and is largely driven by the demands of artificial intelligence and machine learning, requiring more powerful servers and specialised hardware.
Read more...South Africa’s next cyber security frontier
IT in Manufacturing
AI-powered agents are rapidly transforming how South African businesses operate, from chatbots managing customer inquiries to automated systems processing financial transactions. While these AI-driven assistants increase efficiency and reduce operational costs, they also present a new, and often underestimated, cybersecurity challenge: identity management.
Read more...The DeepSeek effect: navigating AI’s new frontier
IT in Manufacturing
DeepSeek has emerged as a game-changer in artificial intelligence, offering a robust platform redefining how businesses approach AI integration. This change is especially important since it opens up AI to a wider range of organisations, including small and medium-sized enterprises that could have previously been priced out of the market.
printer friendly version