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Cyber acceptance testing
To strengthen their defenses , manufacturers must expand operational readiness to include security standards for products and services before deployment . While factory and site acceptance tests are standard , cybersecurity often receives less scrutiny .
Cyber acceptance testing ( CAT ) bridges this gap by identifying known and unknown vulnerabilities in components before integration . This includes malware scans for familiar threats , anomaly detection to flag suspicious behaviors like unauthorized communications and system integration tests to uncover vulnerabilities that arise when components are combined . What ’ s more , we need to protect what is known as well as what is unknown – and so for the latter , there are also ways to detect unknown exploits , such as with anomaly detection .
Without these proactive measures , manufacturers risk inheriting supplier vulnerabilities , leaving their operations exposed to significant threats .
Supply chain security
Manufacturers should also adopt a securityby-design approach that anticipates potential threats and builds protective measures into systems from the start . By maintaining a ‘ clean build ’ approach , organizations can then monitor for vulnerabilities throughout the production process and establish clear protocols for detecting and responding to anomalies .
Yet , the need for supply chain resilience - the ability to pivot to alternative suppliers or components in the face of disruption - sometimes clashes with cybersecurity goals . While many companies enforce strict security protocols with their primary suppliers , these measures often fail to extend to secondary or backup vendors . You may have resilience in your supply chain , but if you haven ’ t vetted your backup suppliers , you could be opening new vulnerabilities when switching sources .
To sidestep this risk , make sure that secondary and tertiary suppliers meet the same cybersecurity standards as their primary vendors . Also , embed cybersecurity requirements in supplier contracts and conduct regular audits to confirm compliance .
At first blush that may sound like a lot . But by aligning resilience with strong cybersecurity measures , manufacturers can safeguard their operations without compromising their ability to adapt in times of disruption .
Cyber visibility
Organizations must aim for comprehensive cyber visibility across their components and sub-components to identify potential vulnerabilities . Understanding the origin of these elements is essential , but equally important is assessing and prioritizing their risk levels to effectively manage and mitigate potential threats .
Manufacturers should map their entire supply chain to understand where components originate and conduct deeper assessments of their critical suppliers . All the while , manufacturers should strive to collaborate closely with their suppliers to ensure mutual understanding of cybersecurity protocols .
Part of that effort might also extend to the adoption of a standardized certification process that helps manufacturers consistently evaluate the security practices of their suppliers . Adopting frameworks such as NIST and IEC 62443 can prove effective when paired with proactive measures , such as anomaly detection and scenario planning with key suppliers .
Preparing for an inevitable future
The manufacturing sector faces significant pressure to modernize and secure its operations amid growing threats to its supply chains . However , with a proactive
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