Protecting plant with digital solutions

Digitalisation means enabling, improving and transforming organisations by leveraging valuable information and data, as well as harnessing the advantages of digital tools such as mobile devices and technologies. 

The scale of many manufacturing sites is extensive, the use of equipment with constantly evolving technology is increasing and high-level protection has to encompass many areas of the operation including materials and products, process engineering, premises, distribution networks and business systems.

Developing an effective security and safety strategy will assist in the delivery of safe, quality products to consumers and ensure a fully-protected environment for employees and visitors, whilst safeguarding assets, the business, reputation and brand. It is essential for the industry to ensure their manufacturing plants and processes are safe, resilient and secured to the highest standard. A key requirement is to automate routine and business critical security tasks to enable operations to focus on core business activities, whilst protecting facilities with high performance systems based on the latest safety and security software management platforms. 

Cyber challenges can be multi-faceted and can include insider threat, ransomware attack, loss of data, disclosure or unauthorised sharing of data, malicious manipulation of software and network outage. Securing modern production facilities means addressing both cyber and physical security concerns. In a digitalised world, cyber intelligent security solutions recognise that data is an organisation’s most valuable commodity.

Multi-layered approach 

The implementation of any comprehensive risk management policy for security should involve a multi-layered approach, starting at the perimeter in both network and physical location and building to an estate-wide integrated solution, with the objective of deterring and delaying a potential breach. Developing and implementing security measures and best practices is known as hardening. This is a continuous process of identifying and understanding security risks and taking appropriate steps to counter them. The process is dynamic because threats, and the systems they target, are continuously evolving. Vital in countering these threats is understanding the space between physical and cyber security challenges and the interactions among technology, people, processes and communication. 

Comprehensive access control will monitor who goes where, and when. Smart card readers located at all entry points ensure only authorised personnel have access to specific areas at particular times via a personalised smart card, especially in high risk areas. 

Identity Management (IDM) will aid in the protection of both brand and reputation by identifying, verifying and authorising individuals with access to applications, systems or networks via user rights and restrictions. This limits access to controlled areas and mitigates risk of product contamination, sabotage or theft. IDM supports manufacturers in delivering a fully verified identity process and management solution that will adhere to internal and external audits. 

At the heart of the security and safety systems is an operational management platform that will mitigate risk, reduce the consequences of a breach and deliver vital information and intelligence. This enables the integration of data from multiple security and safety sub-systems to deliver situational awareness of the entire plant, particularly vulnerable areas, and facilitates an effective response to critical incidents. 

Operatives are immediately alerted to any suspicious activity and prompted to take the correct action. The software will automatically set in motion a sequence of pre-agreed activities to ensure the right procedures are adhered to, as well as distributing essential information to management and relevant parties.  

Digitalisation is a key lever that will transform protection across manufacturing plants in the future by capitalising on synergies between core sub-systems such as fire safety, security, power, communications and building energy management, supported by robust cybersecurity measures. This will make it possible to improve safety and security, minimise system overlaps, save money, improve manpower allocation and enhance building performance.