In an increasingly digital world, the fear of an online attack is a sad reality that many people must deal with on a regular basis. For many, the worry might be that their personal financial information could be compromised and hard-earned money stolen.
On television and in movies, hackers usually target important government installations or large financial institutions. The sad reality, however, is that their targets are often seemingly innocuous companies that don’t seem like they’re particularly tech-savvy.
According to a Smart Industry article by Farès Sakka, the operational technology (OT) of manufacturers is often the target of hackers: “The U.S. has the highest concentration of OT-targeted cyberattacks anywhere in the world, accounting for a staggering 49% of all such incidents.”
Why are U.S. manufacturers so vulnerable to cyberattacks? Sakka believes the answer lies in the inherent conflicts between OT and information technology (IT) teams at manufacturers: “While IT often pushes for modernization and innovation, OT teams, responsible for the smooth operation of production lines, often resist change for fear of any disruption.”
Sakka notes that “U.S. manufacturing stands as a cornerstone of the American economy, yet it faces a critical internal challenge: the persistent friction between operational technology and information technology. This divide, characterized by differing priorities, technical languages, and even corporate structures, hinders progress and exposes organizations to significant risks.”
For example, “IT often pushes for modernization and innovation,” but “OT teams, responsible for the smooth operation of production lines, often resist change for fear of any disruption. Their reliance on legacy systems, while seemingly safe, has inadvertently created a breeding ground for escalating costs and, most alarmingly, cyberattacks.”
The time for action is now. Sakka points out that half of OT-targeted attacks “aim to seize physical control of industrial equipment, posing a direct threat to safety and operations.” Unfortunately, significant roadblocks remain in the way of effective OT-IT collaboration.
Sakka characterizes the situation as a classic “Catch-22,” noting that OT teams “fear that an embrace of IT will present new vulnerabilities. As OT systems become more interconnected, there are more ways for cybercriminals to get in or attack them. On the flip side, sticking to outdated legacy systems lacking modern security features also paves the way for cyberattacks.”
The way forward is “close collaboration” between OT and IT. According to Sakka, “[e]ducation is paramount. Encouraging collaboration and teamwork will enable a deeper understanding of factory-level challenges and needs. Creating opportunities for IT and OT teams to learn each other’s languages, understand each other’s priorities, and appreciate the interconnectedness of their roles is crucial.”
Effective cybersecurity implementation may require manufacturers to add more technology experts to their teams. Personnel with hands-on experience with advanced automation technologies used in manufacturing will play a key role in helping bridge the OT-IT divide.
It’s critical for manufacturers to hire highly skilled workers that can manage cybersecurity risks, in addition to operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing the advanced automation systems that are being implemented. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing “skills gap” issue in the manufacturing sector, finding highly skilled workers remains a significant challenge.
How can manufacturers find the workers they need? And how can they be sure that workers have the hands-on skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace? Today, more and more manufacturers are looking for workers with industry-standard certifications that prove they have the skills employers need.
For example, if workers possess a certification from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), employers can feel confident they’ve already proven they have the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for working with advanced smart automation technologies. SACA has been hard at work collaborating with industry leaders to develop a wide variety of industry-standard certifications that will help employers find workers who possess the advanced connected-systems skills they need to take their businesses to the next level. Be sure to check out SACA and all it has to offer!
