I’ve been thinking about it for days… And there is something that particularly surprises me when I visit some companies. I cannot understand why OT teams in certain factories have not yet connected their production systems to the IT network.
At this point, I always ask those in charge why, I want to know the reasons why they have not taken this step. I have summarised them in 5, we see them:
SPOILER ALERT: ALL THESE MISGIVINGS CAN BE SOLVED!
𝟏- Physical security
The main reluctance, in this case, is the failure to control the new elements introduced, and this lack of control can lead to harm to workers.
𝟐- Loss of control of production processes
Connecting production processes to the company’s IT network means that they would no longer be isolated. They could therefore be threatened by typical IT or cybersecurity problems.
𝟑- Reduced reliability and availability
It is common knowledge that the reliability and availability of IT systems are not always the best. How many times have we been told that rebooting is the solution to the problem with our computer? Such assumptions have a direct impact on the OEE.
𝟒- Data security, data leakage, or theft of data
Connecting OT equipment to the company’s computer network exposes it to data leakage and theft, even with the best security systems.
𝟓- They are forced to work with IT teams.
Rare is the IT team trained to secure OT systems, current and legacy. Moreover, they often do not even know the protocols that are used.
Do you want to know my proposed solution for each point? The answer is in the video!