summary
Two trends that are gaining momentum and paving the way for solid solutions to address today’s challenges are hyperautomation and the rise of open industry standards.
The role of AI in hyperautomation and cybersecurity
Without a doubt, many of the trends discussed in the AUTOMATION 2022 Industrial Automation and Control Trends Report are more than just trends. They are moving into the “recruitment” phase. Two trends that are gaining momentum and paving the way for solid solutions to address today’s challenges are hyperautomation and the rise of open industry standards. We’ll discuss the two here, focusing on cybersecurity.
As a cybersecurity and AI researcher and industry expert, I am interested in how these trends have evolved and the critical role they play in today’s industrial challenges, especially in the integration of AI to enhance industrial operations and security. I have directly observed it in action.
The first trend I’ll cover that Bill Lydon highlighted in 2022 is the rise of hyperautomation. This concept, which uses advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate processes, has matured significantly. Hyperautomation is now a key driver for industries looking to increase productivity and efficiency. AI-powered tools are increasingly being used to streamline operations, reduce human error, optimize resource management, and support cyber threat detection and response.
Another trend gaining momentum is the adoption of open industry standards. These standards facilitate interoperability and seamless integration of different systems and devices, and are essential to creating a consistent and efficient industrial environment. However, the angle I would like to explore is within the scope of cybersecurity.
Historically, industrial and enterprise applications have relied heavily on the definition and design of large technology organizations, so understand what security actually means and how it relates to systems. Things were becoming difficult. This challenge is even more pronounced in industrial applications (ICS), where security knowledge is just beginning to develop compared to corporate environments.
It is important to recognize that successful implementation of AI in industrial environments requires a deep understanding of both the technology and the industrial context. Many industries have unique operational constraints and regulatory requirements that must be addressed. For example, AI can significantly enhance security measures, but its implementation must take into account the specific operational technology (OT) being used, which is often different from traditional IT systems. This is where the IEC 62443 standard fully aligns with AI.
Now, if we relate these two parallel worlds, cybersecurity is a long journey with many priorities (although in theory there is only one priority; the term “what comes first”) is a long journey with many priorities. (Derived from the Latin word “prioritas,” meaning “prioritas.”) AI integration will become essential and help manage these other “priorities” efficiently.
My perspective as a cybersecurity professional aligns with the need for a comprehensive approach that incorporates industry knowledge. The IEC 62443 standard provides a robust framework for securing industrial control systems. Combined with AI capabilities, it provides powerful protection against cyber threats. This synergy between AI and industrial cybersecurity not only improves threat detection and response, but also strengthens overall system resilience.
The IEC 62443 standard helps understand the specific needs and constraints of industrial environments, prepares the basis for informed decision-making, and, most importantly, clarifies what security is and how it is measured. This emphasizes the importance of defining AI technology analyzes vast amounts of data to identify patterns indicative of cyberattacks, enabling proactive threat mitigation.
The company’s priority, as defined by IEC 62443, is to manage risk and understand where to protect its most critical assets. AI supports “other priorities,” helping asset owners make informed decisions based on data, respond to threats, and leverage AI to improve performance.
In conclusion, we can say that the identified trends are becoming a reality and shaping the future of industrial automation and cybersecurity. But now more than ever, more attention should be paid to this topic. It is important to choose an industrial automation partner with the right expertise. Historically, companies have taken the risk of using solutions from immature companies that can negatively impact their technology. If the results are poor, or worse, an incident occurs, many may decide that the technology is not ready, when in fact it was introduced incorrectly due to lack of expertise. There is a gender.
This feature was originally published in AUTOMATION 2024: 9th Industrial Automation and Control Trends Report.
About the author
Felipe Costa is a Senior Product Marketing Manager for Networking and Cybersecurity at MOXA Americas. He is an experienced cybersecurity director and industrial cybersecurity instructor certified by ISA and EC-Council. Costa holds over 30 certifications and has approximately 20 years of experience in the industrial sector. He has presented and published papers around the world, including at the NASA Artificial Intelligence Conference.
AUTOMATION 2024: Download the 9th Industrial Automation and Control Trends Report
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