May 2019

| 14 | May 2019 www.smartmachinesandfactories.com | FEATURES | more susceptible to these attacks – if the correct precautions aren’t taken. Studies have shown that the vast majority of manufacturers feel under-prepared when it comes to digital security, and only expect their vulnerability to grow. The good news is that preventative action can be taken, equipping manufacturers with the tools they need to protect their data from cyber attacks. Proven IT security process, for instance, can be quickly and seamlessly extended to production, such as network segmentation and firewalls. Further to this, instruments which enable users to centrally manage all IoT devises and simultaneously install security updates at all locations around the world are also available, ensuring manufacturing operations remain protected. 5: Re-inventing the wheel When setting out on the journey to Industry 4.0, some manufacturers set out to create their own solutions. The thinking is logical – creating a system which is unique to them will suit their specific needs. The reality, however, is quite different, requiring huge amounts of time and money. Simply writing the documentation for a proprietary solution can take a tremendous amount of time, not to mention the fact that standard solutions are more user-friendly and can be moulded to a manufacturer’s precise requirements. By using a standard solution, manufacturers can be up and running within a matter of hours, with all IoT-connected machines centrally managed in their network. Using a standard solution also minimises unnecessary complexity, enabling easier connection between machines and control systems. This approach further supports manufacturers to maximise the value of Industry 4.0 upgrades over the long term, reducing restrictions on upgrade options in the future. For this reason, it’s more beneficial for manufacturers to operate IoT functions on dedicated systems, concentrating on real-time communications between systems.