Networked systems, remote diagnostics and processing-floor visibility offer great benefits, but the enabling technology can be a gateway for prying eyes and malicious intent.
More than a few food plant engineers shrug with indifference when the issue of controls-system security is raised. "Getting line three back into production is my priority," mutter these overworked and understaffed souls. "I've got enough to do without tackling IT issues."
Ironically, the problems on line three and the lack of adequate controls-network security might be interrelated. While food and beverage plants are unlikely targets of cyber-terrorists, there are more than enough worms and viruses infiltrating the plant floor's information highway to cause unscheduled downtime. Random maliciousness from virtual vandals is the root cause of a growing number of business disruptions, and the frequency is trending up, experts warn. Security breaches could supplant mechanical failures as a leading cause of downtime in the coming years.