In the fast-evolving landscape of industrial automation and safety, the crucial role of security in ensuring the protection of people, machinery, and production has never been more apparent. With interconnected manufacturing systems vulnerable to cyber threats, the need for a comprehensive security approach to safeguard automation and control systems is paramount.
Being a global leader in automation technology, Pilz is at the forefront of addressing this critical need. Led by Thomas Pilz, and his sister, Susanne Kunschert, the company is not only providing innovative solutions but also offering essential training to empower industrial companies in securing their operations effectively.
During his visit to New Zealand in October 2023 to celebrate the company’s 75th year, Thomas Pilz highlighted the evolving nature of security within manufacturing environments during his talk at Pilz New Zealand’s Open Day. Emphasizing that security is no longer solely the realm of IT experts, he stressed the necessity of a holistic approach to ensure both safety and security across production networks and automation processes.
Drawing from personal experience following a cyber-attack on their German manufacturing facility in 2019, Pilz shared valuable insights on identifying and mitigating security risks proactively. Despite initial skepticism towards existing security measures within his company, the incident served as a wake-up call, prompting a comprehensive reassessment and reinforcement of their security protocols.
Addressing an audience of safety and automation engineers at Pilz’s New Zealand office, Thomas Pilz underscored the importance of leveraging expertise to implement robust security measures tailored to each application. With a deep understanding of industry-specific challenges and best practices, Pilz aims to equip industrial companies with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complex realm of cybersecurity threats effectively.
Pilz is now a robust and well-protected manufacturer and is assisting other companies with products, technology, systems and training. Pilz has designed these services to ensure industrial companies have no undetected errors which could result in devastating consequences that range from having production brought to a standstill to a risk to operators if safety measures are manipulated in a targeted way.
“Criminals know that industry is very slow. It might take three months to patch your first machine and define role-specific responsibilities for it and then a further nine months to patch another twenty. If criminals get into your network, they have 12 months to exploit the vulnerability on an industrial controller”, said Thomas Pilz.
Pilz is now rolling out their security solution through its global network of 42 subsidiaries and teaching trainers how to help customers carry out risk assessments.
“This involves assessing the actual physical setup and how you are connected to the IT world. It includes the IT of the building and how you grant access to OT lines and create breakouts for remote maintenance. This extends to how your preferred machine suppliers are given shop-floor control via their cloud and how that could interface to your other networks.”
Security solutions by Pilz are scalable for small companies and the best approach is to implement logical improvements straightaway and then follow it up with a risk assessment to improve what you have done from both a practical and legal point of view. Pilz provides a blueprint for documenting the assessment and a basis for constantly updating the measures taken against cyber threats
As manufacturers across New Zealand navigate the intricate intersection of productivity, automation, safety, and security, Pilz stands as a trusted partner committed to enabling safe and secure operations for a sustainable future. By bridging the gap between traditional safety practices and modern cybersecurity requirements, Pilz paves the way for enhanced resilience in an increasingly interconnected industrial landscape.
