Drives and Controls January 2023

NEWS n 5 Half of UK manufacturers have suffered cyber-attacks in past year, survey reveals NEARLY HALF OF UK manufacturers (42%) have been victims of cyber- attacks in the past 12 months, according to new research by the manufacturers’ organisation Make UK and the security software and services provider, BlackBerry. More than a quarter of those surveyed (26%) reported substantial financial losses as the result of an attack, ranging from £50,000-250,000. The research found that production stoppages were the most common result of the cyber-attacks (reported by 65% of those affected), with reputational damage ranking second (43%). Three quarters (74%) of those attacked report that good cyber- security measures prevented any impact on their businesses. The survey reveals that some customers are now asking for reassurance from manufacturers on their cyber-security measures before signing contracts. The Cybersecurity: UKManufacturing report*, based on a survey of 112 companies spanning a range of sizes and sectors, reveals that manufacturers are facing a variety of cyber-security risks, from simple employee errors to complex targeted attacks. They identify the top three cyber-security vulnerabilities as being: maintaining legacy IT (45%); a lack of cyber-skills (38%); and giving third parties access for monitoring and maintenance (33%). Almost one in three organisations (30%) say that Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) have been key drivers for them to improve their cyber-security. But just over a third (37%) say that worries over potential cyber-attacks have prevented them from introducing new connected technologies into their organisations, limiting potential productivity gains and holding them back from growth. Smaller companies are often the most vulnerable to targeted cyber- attacks, yet many offer no cyber- security training to their staff. Almost two thirds (62%) of manufacturers now have formal cyber-security procedures in place to tackle incidents – 11% more than a year ago. As businesses implement more digital technologies, their exposure to cyber-security risks increases. Almost all of those surveyed (95%) believe that cyber-security measures are necessary for their companies, while two thirds say the importance of cyber-security has increased in the past 12 months. However, most (54%) have decided not to take any further cyber-security precautions, despite adopting new technologies to boost production. The cost of the initial outlay on cyber- security measures is seen as the main barrier (cited by 40% of companies) along with the cost of maintaining the security systems (35%). Three quarters (75%) of those surveyed think that Russia poses the biggest cyberthreat to their businesses, closed followed by China. Some 38% fear threats emanating from the UK. “Digitisation is revolutionising modern manufacturing and becoming increasingly important to drive competitiveness and innovation,” says Make UK CEO, Stephen Phipson. “While cost remains the main barrier to companies installing cyber-protection, the need to increase the use of the latest technology makes mounting a defence against cyber-threats essential. No business can afford to ignore this issue and while the increased awareness across the sector is encouraging, there is still much to be done. “Every business is vulnerable, and every business needs to take the necessary steps to protect themselves properly.” * https://drivesncontrols.news/y706rw www.drivesncontrols.com January 2023 ABB HAS OPENED a flexible, automated robotics factory in Shanghai, China, representing an investment of $150m. The 67,000m 2 production and research facility will use the company’s digital and automation technologies to manufacture next-generation robots. The facility brings together the physical and digital worlds, creating a digital manufacturing ecosystem that uses virtual planning and production management systems to improve performance and maximise productivity by collecting and analysing data. There are no traditional, fixed assembly lines – instead flexible, modular production cells are digitally connected and networked, and served by autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). AI-powered robotic systems handle tasks such as screwdriving and assembling. The site’s 8,000m 2 R&D centre will create innovations in AI, digitalisation and software, such as autonomous mobility systems, digital twins, machine vision and low-code software, to make robots more intelligent, flexible, safer and easier to use. “This manufacturing and R&D facility brings to life our vision for the factory of the future – where flexible automation makes production and intralogistics more resilient, faster and more efficient,” says ABB Robotics president, Marc Segura. “It embodies our commitment to the latest in flexible, modular, intelligent manufacturing and it represents our focus on AI learning technologies for smarter robotics.” Almost two thirds of UK manufacturers report that cyber-security has become more important in their organisations over the past year Source: Make UK Cyber Security Survey 2022 ABB opens $150m robotics ‘mega-factory’ in China