Securing Your Company's Manufacturing Data

Bryan L. Singer, CISSP
The adoption of open networks in manufacturing environments, and the expanding connectivity and decentralization of computer systems and databases, are making the need to secure a company's automation and production systems more important than ever. The direct linking of manufacturing systems to information systems through the presence of Ethernet on the factory-floor creates an environment where traditional information technology (IT) and manufacturing worlds collide. This trend increases the vulnerability of these systems to the same security threats facing today's IT environments. Attacks — whether direct or indirect — from hackers, worms, viruses, and employees can affect the safety and security of people, products, processes, and productivity.

With increasing pressure from consumers and government bodies to ensure product authenticity and safety, life sciences companies need to consider security solutions that help them maintain regulatory requirements and also protect their manufacturing processes. One way companies can ensure their operations and systems are completely secure, is by staying educated and up-to-date on existing and emerging security threats to their facilities and developing a detailed and comprehensive plan of action similar to the one described in this article.

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