Business managers have been thrown a lot of curveballs as they handle the changes that COVID-19 has brought to the economy, while, at the same time, managing and supporting their employees. -Article co-created with Gloria Martinez from WomenLed.Org The question of what the future will bring is still up in the air for many businesses, but you can be proactive in protecting both your company and your customers when it comes to sensitive data. Cyber Security is a concern for businesses of all sizes. Fortunately, today exist several tools, resources and methodologies available to help you stay on top of things, even if you have remote employees. Here are a few tips on how to keep your information safe and secure. Find a data management solution When it comes to making sure your most sensitive data is safe, you’ll likely need help from an outside source. Many companies don't pay attention to cyber threats until they face one. Ransomware and other malware can not only seriously harm your files; it can also lead to a significant financial loss on your end, as well as a break in trust with your customers. Disasters that bring disruptions to your business data can be devastating, so it’s important to have a disaster recovery plan in place. If you don’t know where to start, work with cyber security professionals to strategise and implement appropriate prevention and recovery protocols and tools that help you stay protected, and that can get your data back up and running in no time in case of an attack. Make Cyber Security an ongoing task With increasing connections of machinery and OT to the internet, or converging with IT, another common mistake many Operation Managers or OT Managers make is narrowing down cyber security tasks to once a year, at its best. Again, your business should have a detailed plan for protection that occurs on your end, including the implementation of cyber-secure industrial networks, training for your employees on the importance of secure passwords, using only specific devices for work-related tasks, security updates for your assets and databases, and keeping everyone up-to-date on the latest scams and threats. This plan should be updated and reinforced several times per year. When you make Cyber Security an ongoing narrative, your employees will understand how important it is and can adjust their actions accordingly. Create a plan for devices Your employees should be well-versed on how to protect company information in the office, but it’s essential that they also understand how to keep data safe when working from home or using mobile devices. Smartphones and tablets can be extremely beneficial today to access ICS, providing a way for performing remote commissioning and monitoring of your industrial processes. But they can also represent security threats. Talk to your employees about the rules regarding mobile devices, including which ones they are authorised to use and how to install secure remote access tools and security apps. Create a plan on how to recover or secure data if a device is lost or stolen, as well. Don’t underestimate scammers You may think you have a good understanding of what an email scam looks like, but these days, cyber thieves are much more sophisticated when it comes to fooling their targets. Intrusions may look legitimate at first glance, but ask yourself — and train your employees to ask themselves — whether or not the user requesting access, or the content of the communication seems right. Go over safety measures with your employees, and deploy a Zero Trust plan to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to industrial cyber security. It’s not easy to protect your business from cyber threats, especially as thieves become more and more attuned to what works, but there are plenty of resources available that can help you stay on top of your security needs. Lastly, don’t allow your digital real estate to be a gateway where hackers can simply waltz in. Polestar IIoT can help in protecting your industrial assets and data through Secure Industrial IT and Cyber security technologies and services. Contact us to learn more!

Prepare for what is next with the top 5 networking trends. Request access to the webinar here: Top 5 Networking Trends. Industrial networks played a vital role in helping organisations respond to a very disruptive 2020. Although connectivity and uptime helped the industry prior to the pandemic, they alone are no longer enough. In 2019 and 2020 was proved that organisations need resilience supported by an advanced network platform that responds quickly to nearly any circumstance. An intent-based network enables organisations to respond swiftly to any circumstances, change operating models and help safeguard employees, core activities and customers through disruptions. Here are the main networking trends that will be ruling in what is left in 2021, in 2022, and beyond in manufacturing and the industry in general. Trend #1: Extending security to a remote workforce. Just because employees are on a VPN, they may not even realise how much traffic they are creating on the business network by running non-business apps. Trend #2: Ensuring a safe return to on-premise(s) workspaces. Preparing your network to enable a path to a hybrid workplace. Trend #3: Facilitating secure networking, back-up and recovery, and multi-cloud for greater resilience. Now we are aware of how imperative it is that we consider how our networks can enable the business to be resilient in the face of disruptions. Trend #4: Automating operations for faster recovery. Deploying programmable infrastructures and network automation to respond quickly and efficiently to major disruptions. Trend #5: NetOps AI-enabling. Using AI to reduce network issues and improve business resilience. Watch this webinar to get real-world insights and learn about the five networking trends enabling resilience in times of disruption. Request access to the webinar here: Top 5 Networking Trends. Do you prefer reading? Check the report here.

PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) grew up as replacements for multiple relays and are used primarily for controlling discrete manufacturing processes and standalone equipment. If integration with other equipment is required, the user or his system integrator typically has to do it, connecting human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and other control devices as needed. System integrators perform similar functions for PLC-based systems. It has also become common for PLC vendors to offer support services through their network of system integrator partners. PLCs are fast. Response times of one-tenth of a second make the PLC an ideal controller for near real-time actions such as a safety shutdown or firing control. PLCs are best applied to a dedicated process that doesn’t change often. If your process is complex and requires frequent adjustments or must aggregate and analyse a large amount of data, a DCS (Distributed Control System) is typically a better solution. A DCS, sometimes called Decentralised Control System, is simply put a control method in which we have some independent CPUs. Of course, the very flexibility of a DCS system also makes it much more vulnerable to unwanted access by operators that can cause shutdowns. DCSs were developed to replace PID controllers and is found most often in batch and continuous production processes, especially those that require advanced control measures. The vendor handles system integration, and HMIs are integral. DCSs take much longer than PLCs to process data, so it’s not the right solution when response times are critical. In fact, safety systems require a separate controller. But a DCS can handle many thousands of I/O points and more easily accommodate new equipment, process enhancements and data integration. If you require advanced process control and have a large facility or a process that’s spread out over a wide geographic area with thousands of I/O points, a DCS makes more sense than a PLC, which can only handle a few thousand I/O points or less. It’s just not as scalable as a DCS. Another problem with PLCs is redundancy. If you need power or fault-tolerant I/O, don’t try to force those requirements into a PLC-based control system. You’ll just end up raising the costs to equal or exceed those of a DCS. The network architecture of the DCS is way easier to implement using its integrated software and hardware package. However, DCS software and hardware packages cost a lot more than PLC equivalents. As users demanded more production information, PLCs with more processing power and networking became more common. PLC-based control systems began to function like a mini-DCS. At the same time, the DCS hybridised to incorporate PLCs and PCs to control certain functions and to provide reporting services. The DCS supervises the entire process, much like the conductor in an orchestra. Protocols, like OPC, have eased interactions between the two control systems. The complex nature of many continuous production processes, such as oil and gas, water treatment and chemical processing, continue to require the advanced process control capabilities of the DCS. Others, such as pulp and paper, are trending toward PLC-based control. In Batch or hybrid processes automation like some steel-producing industries in which we have to use DCS and PLC together, there would be some overlaps in their functions. Process control has become increasingly complex. It’s difficult to know everything about these systems, increasing the need for vendor and service partner support. Manufacturers also continue to reduce factory staff and a generation of experienced process control personnel has begun to retire. As a result, the quality of support has become a critical factor in vendor and service partner selection. This article will be further expanded with more information on Industrial Networks. Subscribe to our IIoT Newsletter and keep up to date! #IndustialIT #IndustrialNetworks #ITConsulting #NetworkIntegration #SystemIntegration #IIoT #IIoTUK

To enable digital industrial processes to run over a wireless communications infrastructure, network technology needs to meet specific performance and reliability standards demanded by industrial applications. Industrial Information Networks are a medium to transfer data from one device or application to another, namely business areas or business assets such as computers, machines, vehicles, databases, software, or other IoT Devices. Networks, however, vary based on the volume of data being transferred and the use they are destined to. Many professionals in the IT Industry define the naming of IT networks according to the business level at which they are implemented. In general, Industrial Networks refer to networks that deal with data transferring on a large scale for business needs. This means they allow us to connect various devices across large or dispersed spaces and enable communication between them and their assets by allowing us to transfer large chunks of data. Traditional networks are limited to a reduced number of systems with low data transferring volumes and security breaches. Contemporary IIoT & Industrial Networks are designed to cater to real-time needs and the demands of a larger number of systems and IoT-connected devices, with high standards of cybersecurity in mind. IT vs OT Networks IT Networks usually support enterprise operations from administrative offices or carpeted spaces, and are designed with flat architectures and simple networking systems. Contrarily, industrial environments are supported by agile and resilient network infrastructures that provide a high degree of stability, scalability and security. The mobility of users, new workplaces, flexibility and the evolving nature of production processes require complex IT systems and architectures developed specifically for operational and harsh environments. Some enterprise IT can be extended into these industrial environments, but many processes can be optimised only through specialised OT systems. Industrial networks are commonly called “Operational Technology” (OT) Networks and support the connection between industrial assets. They also enable control and monitoring of every field device and system within an industrial environment. Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the age of Smart Manufacturing, or the digital era, is about making business smarter and increasingly automated. With adequate industrial networking systems, it is possible to attain better control of batch or large-scale continuous processes for the production of any type of products and materials. Polestar Industrial IT Services are thought to help industrial companies design and build industrial communication infrastructures for enabling real-time remote access, monitoring and control, linking SCADA, MES and ERP systems to automatically transfer plant production data. This facilitates decision-making for plant managers, staff and OT teams. It is important to consider the distinctions between OT and IT Networks when investing in the enhancement of industrial asset connectivity. To achieve this, it is crucial to comprehend the primary features of OT networks and how they vary from the IT environment. Levels of Industrial Networks Companies are usually composed of many departments managing different aspects of the business, sometimes spread out over various locations or sites. For instance, a company can have manufacturing plants with specialised hardware (field devices) spread through different countries, as well as departments such as operations, sales, marketing etc. All these departments have specific needs but at the same time need to communicate with each other through a communication network for achieving lean operations. Nowadays, ethernet-based networks are standard in the industry, with variants including: EthernetI/P EtherCAT DH484 RS232 CANopen Data Highway Plus (DH+) Allen Bradley Remote I/O (RIO) Modbus (RTU, TCP) Profibus ProfiNet DeviceNet ControlNet AS-Interface (AS-I / ASIsafe) However, as seen in the section above, Industrial Wireless and Remote Access are being widely implemented for enhanced communications over different dispersed areas. Effective communication is possible using various network levels, allowing for the use of optimal technologies, protocols and processes. The following are some of the levels described in the Purdue Reference Architecture Model (PERA). External Network (Level 5) Cloud services and remote access connected to enterprise systems to support corporate-level services and individual business units and users. These usually support servers providing: Enterprise Active Directory (AD) Internal email Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems Human Resources (HR) systems Document Management systems Backup solutions Enterprise Security Operations Centre (SOC) Enterprise Network (Level 4) Enterprise networks help connect various computers across different departments to transfer data, reduce communication protocols, and increase data accessibility efficiently. They are also known as IT Networks or Corporate Networks. The key purpose of industrial networks here is to provide effective communication between various computers and prevent access by unauthorised computers. Generally, enterprise networks include local area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN). An enterprise network is able to connect all the systems regardless of their operating systems. Enterprise networks are limited to a single building. The term Enterprise Network is frequently used to refer to networks that connect computers to the Intranet and to Cloud Services supporting Enterprise Systems of the likes of ERPs, CRMs, HR systems, and Enterprise Databases, among others. They are also known as Business Networks. Business networks are used to connect many devices present in different locations. Level 4 Networks also connect enterprise hardware such as: Business workstations Local file and print servers Local phone systems Enterprise AD replicas Site-Wide Supervisory Network (Level 3): Supervisory networks connect various computers to supervise other computers and systems. They are mainly used in manufacturing industries to monitor, supervise, and support operations for a site or region. These connect: Management servers Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) Alarm servers Analytics systems Historians (if scoped for an entire site or region) Local Supervisory Network (Level 2): Level 2 Networks are built for monitoring and supervisory control of a single process, cell, line, or distributed control system (DCS) solution. These are isolated processes from one another, grouped by function, type, or risk. Similarly to Level 3 Networks, Level 2 Networks connect: HMIs Alarm servers Process analytics systems Historians Control rooms (if scoped for a single process and not the site/region) Process Control Network (Level 1): A process control network transfers data between various control and measurement units. They are robust, determinate and compatible to connect devices and systems to provide automated control of a process, cell, line, or DCS solution. Modern ICS solutions often combine Levels 1 and 0. Level 1 Networks connect: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) Control processors Programmable relays Remote terminal units (RTUs) Process-specific microcontrollers Field Devices Network (Level 0): This network connects machinery, sensors and actuators for the cell, line, process, or DCS solution. It's often combined with the Level 1 Network. Devices plugged within this network are: Basic sensors and actuators Smart sensors/actuators speaking fieldbus protocols Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) Industrial Internet-of-Things (IIoT) devices Communications gateways Field instrumentation In the past, IT and OT networks were entirely separate, resulting in only IT equipment being connected to external systems and networks. Nevertheless, as businesses embrace I4.0 and IIoT technological solutions, they are integrating industrial assets and systems with IT networks, resulting in a new trend of convergence between IT and OT. Networks in the Manufacturing, Warehousing, Oil & Gas, Utilities and Healthcare sectors connect Operational Technologies (OT) and are exposed to rugged conditions such as radical changes in temperature, excess motion and vibration coming from heavy machinery and personnel coming and going, exposure to liquids and chemical agents, wide coverage areas, and a vast informational exchange, among others. These networks require specialised systems and architectures to ensure business resiliency. With the rise of IIoT, these OT Networks are being connected to IT or Enterprise Networks, which requires specialised IT/OT convergence consulting and planning. Services related to the design, planning, implementation, integration, maintenance and support of these OT Networks are usually called Industrial IT Services, which consider the specific communication needs of each industry vertical and their applications. So, what is actually needed from the network for each industrial application? Below you'll find use-specific network requirements for: Manufacturing Logistics Robots and AGV Process Automation Monitoring Use-specific Requirements for Industrial Networks Network Requirements for Manufacturing Logistics Manufacturing supply chains are designed using algebraic models and evaluated using statistical analysis. These models concentrate on maximising output and minimising waste while making the most efficient use of assets. If we view a supply chain as a system composed of smaller links, each link can be thought of as a function, such as transportation from A to B, optimal warehouse utilisation, inventory control, and the product manufacturing lifecycle. At least one link in each of these areas can be enhanced with the correct implementation of industrial networking and wireless technologies. For instance, granular item tracking can be improved through scanning, positioning and identification, as well as typically coordinated with camera data from high-level surveillance and security to high-precision quality check levels. All this information runs through a robust industrial network with wireless technology. Overall Requirements for Manufacturing Logistics Networks Availability: High availability inside the production/warehousing hub, lower when external (inbound and outbound logistics) Traffic Types: Critical telemetry from production logistics, non-critical telemetry and high-definition video for external logistics. Determinism: None needed. Reliability: High reliability inside the production/warehousing hub, lower when external (inbound and outbound logistics). Synchronicity: None needed, except for real-time tracking systems which need maximum sync. Network Requirements for Robots & Automated Guided Vehicles Production Robots and AGVs are designed to perform various tasks with predetermined results, such as managing specific equipment or materials. Advanced AI techniques enable dynamic behaviours, including real-time decision-making for CNC program changes, collision avoidance, or route planning. The communication process for these devices is influenced by the degree of edge computing employed within the system. Some devices possess all of the intelligence and decision-making capabilities on board, while others rely on a centralised control system. This is due to the location of the functional building blocks in the edge architecture, which can range along a spectrum of possibilities. There are other communication flows necessary to interact with third-party devices, including other moving objects such as cranes, forklifts, and trucks, as well as stationary objects like gates, doors, ramps, rails, and manufacturing machines. Additionally, there may be onboard safety processes that interact with external systems. All of these flows are time-sensitive and predictable, requiring control and telemetry messages to be received within a specific time frame for real-time processing. The AGV's actions may be a component of wider industrial processes throughout the facility. Due to the criticality of all the flows to achieve successful real-time physical operation in a dynamic environment, CNC Machinery, Robots and AGV have extremely strict and sensitive network service requirements. Overall Requirements for Robots & AGV Networks Availability: Between five and several 9s. Traffic Types: Mixture of critical traffic, non-critical telemetry, and high-definition video. Determinism: Depending on autonomous independence from applications ‘over the air’, possibly down to microsecond measurements at the most demanding. Reliability: Continued operation regardless of node and/or path failure. Synchronicity: Clocking systems must be accurately synchronised to the sub-microsecond level. Network Requirements for Process Automation Monitoring Industrial processes in factories, plants, and facilities, like electric power plants, chemical plants, and oil refineries, are automated through control applications. These applications use continuous measurements to regulate the process. Wireless networking is utilized in two primary areas of process automation: closed-loop process control for real-time control, and process and asset monitoring for non-real-time control. Closed-loop Process Control (Real-time) Systems that use closed-loop feedback, like PID (proportional integral derivative) controllers, usually rely on sensors for immediate data input into the process. These sensors are specifically engineered for high reliability (availability of Six 9s or more) and precision since they guide adjustments in the process output. Traffic flows usually occur cyclically with very narrow cycles of approximately 100 milliseconds. Availability: A minimum of Six 9s. Traffic Types: Critical control-loop traffic. Determinism: Strict timing variables to suit cyclic patterns, highly determinate. Reliability: Maximum reliability, all measures must be taken for resilience. Synchronicity: The highest possible synchronicity must be achieved both to the industrial automation components and the communications infrastructure. Process and Asset Monitoring (Non Real-time) Process and asset monitoring covers additional monitoring tasks that are beyond the confines of strict control loops. This involves monitoring environmental process variables like temperature, flow, pressure, and vibration. Consistent and continual monitoring of these variables yields information that is utilized for forecasting, preventing downtime or equipment failures, and ensuring overall plant safety and security. Certain sensors in this field are built to operate on batteries with an extended lifecycle and may incorporate energy-efficient methods to save power within the sensor. Combining sensor data from multiple sources is typically more useful, which means that the network must be capable of supporting a high density of sensors. In addition, the technology must be cost-effective to facilitate the widespread use of low-cost sensors throughout the plant. Non-real-time solutions are often governed by various 'industrial wireless' standards that are implemented on a domain-by-domain basis, resulting in a segregated access network. Traffic flows for sensors are typically unidirectional, with data transmitted from the sensor to the collector, gateway, or controller. On the other hand, actuators function in the opposite direction, with the controller sending commands to effect change across the network. Ultimately, this traffic will return to the controller, which, if performing a real-time control loop, has very strict network requirements. Availability: Variable, may not require a strict service level objective. Traffic Types: Regular or triggered notification messages. Determinism: None required for basic monitoring. Reliability: No mandatory redundancy. Back-ups are recommended. Synchronicity: None, albeit with time-stamping at collector or endpoint. Industrial Network Components Industrial communications require industrial-grade systems that use reliable standards to create integrated data networks that can withstand present and future changes under high performance and endurance conditions. This includes connecting sensors and transmitting plant-wide data on quality and production. For instance, any basic Industrial Network requires specific Industrial Ethernet Networking Cables to withstand the mechanical, chemical and thermal loads and simultaneously has to maintain the defined data transfer properties (permanent installation, highly flexible, trailing cables with up to 10 million bending cycles, ideal for flexing applications, finely stranded conductors and PUR sheath, sunlight resistant, oil resistant, cold resistant, chemical resistant, with flame retardant, weld splatter resistant, halogen-free, silicon free, CAT 5E data rates and RoHS compliant). Similarly, any Industrial Network requires Rugged Networking Hardware able to provide reliable and error-free operations in harsh industrial environments, delivering error-free communications under high levels of electromagnetic interference in extreme temperatures and over long distances (compact design, water/liquid resistant/proof IP66/lP67 switches and routers, with immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) required by IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613 class 2 error-free devices). The following are the key components of an Industrial Network and some of their characteristics: Industrial Ethernet/ProfiNET Industrial Ethernet is a comprehensive solution for creating efficient industrial networks and bus systems. It includes robust networking components that are designed for use in rugged industrial settings and are future-proofed to withstand changes. The system also includes a cabling system that allows for quick assembly on-site and rapid redundancy for added reliability. Some sub-components are: Industrial Ethernet Switches, Routers and Media Converters: Input Devices Rugged Switches and Industrial Routers (Layer 2 & 3 switches, wireless, and Routers) Bluetooth Components Power Supplies Sensors Portfolio (temperature, movement & occupancy, liquid leaks, humidity, door traffic, vibration monitoring, etc) System Interfacing Network Transitions (Links, Controllers and PCs) Cabling Technologies: Copper cables and connectors Fibre-optic cables and connectors Cables for power supply LAN cables PS5 CAT 7 Ethernet cables Network Security: SD-WANs IT & OT Network Monitoring Systems System Security: Firewalls End-point Detection and Response Systems Backup & Resilience Systems System Management Platforms: Network Automation (SINEC NMS & INS, Cybervision) Network Management (vManage, Cisco DNA) Industrial Asset Vision Industrial Wireless & External Networks An industrial-grade wireless communication infrastructure includes components that are suitable for a wide range of applications, such as CNC machinery, Robots, Cranes, Conveyor Belts, Environmental Sensors, Driverless Transport Systems (AGVs), and Telecontrol / teleservicing. These sub-components can be used both indoors and outdoors and are known for their reliability, durability, and safety, even in harsh conditions. Some of these field asset can be monitored, control and analysed remotely through secure connections to ICS, PLCs, and Cloud Apps. They often include: Industrial Wireless: Wireless LAN WiMAX WirelessHART SCALANCE M Routers Antennas PLUGs WiFi 6 LoRaWAN systems 5G SIM Cards RTLS Systems Remote Networks and Remote Access Systems Secure Industrial Remote Access Edge-to-Cloud Systems Industrial IoT & Cloud Apps Industrial Data Applications Industry 4.0 and IIoT use cases rely on the successful implementation of Industrial Networks (OT networks). These are the main applications and use cases that can be leveraged with industrial networks: OEE Management Apps Process Analysis Apps Process Stability Apps Vibration and Condition Monitoring Apps Tooling Performance Apps Uptime Enhancement Apps Instrument Measuring Apps Cybersecurity for OT Networks With the increasing threat of cyber-attacks, it is essential that all systems and plant assets are secure. With the use of Firewalls, Virtual LAN (VLAN) Segregation, Proxy Servers, Domain Controllers, Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and Demilitarised Zones (DMZ), Systems Engineers ensure networks are designed to meet industry specifications whilst remaining secure. The use of a combination of different network topologies also helps to create resilient network designs. Another measure to become cyber secure includes the understanding of what physical assets are needed to be protected. Using non-disruptive light touch discovery tools and combining this with some manual on-site discovery work can provide a comprehensive asset list to know exactly what needs to be protected across the different network levels, what communications relationships exist, and what policies need to be implemented. Corporate and factory networks should also be physically separated in line with ISA 99 / IEC 62443 standards. Correctly designing, implementing and migrating to a new dedicated factory network that aligns with industrial security standards and avoids unplanned downtime requires a solid understanding of factory processes in addition to the usual networking knowledge that IT teams possess. Network segmentation also becomes increasingly important as more applications deliver from the cloud and connect to every network level. Zero-trust design is another method to implement security-first networks and an in-depth defence approach, providing for resilient systems across the entire architecture. This includes identity management, USB storage device controls, backup and disaster recovery, security policies, and secure remote access systems. Finally, end-point protection and response systems need to be in place as well, in case an attack becomes successful. What can you do in the Factory Floor with our Industrial Networks & IIoT Systems? Transform your business by extending intent-based networking to the IoT edge. Embrace the outdoor or industrial part of your business with security and simplicity. Watch the following video to learn about some of the things you can achieve in your industrial settings with our Cisco and Siemens Industrial IT Portfolio. IT & OT Convergence OT networks are a component of automation and require constant availability and reliability due to the potentially high costs of failures. These networks must maintain reliable data transmission, even in challenging circumstances. The main emphasis of IT teams and systems is on the speed of data transmission and usage for end-users. Unlike data flow in the field, IT networks have a vertical orientation where client communication is routed through a server. So, how smooth collaboration between OT and IT teams can be achieved? First, it’s important to understand the requirements of OT networks, and how IT teams can collaborate. In order to process operational technology (OT) data, including environmental, automation, and measured values, for production customers, it is necessary to have high-performing connectivity to central platforms for efficient processing and analysis in a timely manner. It is required the implementation of a converged network capable to capture data from field devices and environmental sensors, and of systems with the ability to organise and show it in a legible format for plant managers for quality control and operational decision-making. Also, the system should allow for the selection of data to flow to external systems for remote commissioning or management. The integration of IT and OT networks brings forth new challenges and obstacles that must be dealt with. One of the main issues is the complexity of differentiating between the IT and OT infrastructure. To address this concern, the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture offers a structured framework that categorizes the different levels of crucial infrastructure utilized in IT and OT networks. When creating a security plan for the OT environment, the Purdue Model can provide secure communication by segregating layers and outlining the function and interaction of network devices and systems. At Polestar we remove barriers between IT and Engineering Departments. By merging control engineering and ICT disciplines, we are capable of delivering complete projects that include data analytics, remote monitoring, and mobility. This may entail connecting factory floor systems to manufacturing intelligence systems and enterprise-level networks via secure networks. Industrial IT and Networks for high availability on the Factory Floor Industrial IT and Industrial Networks provide a flexible, resilient and future-ready communications environment in industrial settings, namely Manufacturing Plants, Warehouses, Oil Rigs, Energy Stations and sub-stations, or Water Plants, helping to accelerate digital transformation. These networks, if installed properly, contribute to real-time communications among operators and managers, and help to get data out of production machines, robots, measuring tools, conveyor belts, environment-controlled rooms, cranes, vehicles and other industrial assets for optimising operations and product quality. With a cybersecurity engineering background and years of experience working for UK and global manufacturers, the background of Polestar Industrial IT is steeped in the processing and manufacturing industries. Polestar Industrial IT services aim to prevent downtime, reduce waste and quality losses, and reduce Operational Expenditure. With our IT Service in the UK & EMEA, and our industrial communication systems and designs, you can track OEE, add real-time insights to your operations, improve your operations cost centres, and improve productivity under an infrastructure CapEx model. The Polestar team of Network Engineers designs, installs and offers support for both wired and wireless IT networks and systems for industrial and manufacturing companies of any size. Our IT Services provide tailor-made solutions to meet industry-specific requirements. We provide from workstations and basic industrial communications hardware to asset inventory management, design of large-scale virtual environments, and cybersecurity design & implementations. We also advise on hybrid solutions that leverage on-premise (LAN, WAN and SD-WAN infrastructure), edge and cloud technologies to provide on-site and off-site data redundancy. Polestar Industrial IT designs and implements secure industrial IT and OT infrastructures for both brownfield and greenfield sites, and identifies cybersecurity risks, proposing and delivering security improvements. All our implementations comply to ISA 99 / IEC 62443 manufacturing cybersecurity standards. We are specialised in performance-driven, secure, customised industrial network solutions in the operational technology (OT) space, facilitating the migration and seamless integration of legacy systems into the information technology (IT) space. At Polestar we use case-specific solutions and reference architectures that enable specific business outcomes for our customers. We will focus on your business requirements, bringing a toolbox of options to suit your application, including: indoor, outdoor, and ruggedised WiFi, Ultra-Reliable Wireless, Private 5G, and LoRaWAN networks. Over the years, and frequently in harsh industrial environments, we have established a robust portfolio of industrial networking projects in companies belonging to the Food and Beverage, FMCG, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare and Automotive manufacturing vertcials. Our services encompass an array of industrial networking technologies, including cabling solutions, data network configurations, wireless technology, signal transmission and conversion, client systems, and professional network services. Network Architecture and Design: Redundant networks and Resilient topologies Secure-by-Design systems (Cisco Validated Designs, Siemens Designs) IP-based Networks and SD-WANs Intent-based Networks Edge to Cloud enablement We’ll work with you to meet your networking objectives relating to demands such as: Network performance System Security Process Efficiency Segregation and Segmentation Interoperability and IT/OT Convergence Migration Impact Management, Risk Management. Our IT Services are diverse and adaptable, tailored to suit the scale and scope of your project, which may include: Technology Feasibility studies Network and Connectivity Audits, Site Surveys Network Design Legacy Systems Integration/Migration Network Security, OT Security Project and Vendor Management Documentation and Certification Network Installation, Deployment and Support

For a limited time, we are making it simpler and more cost-effective for you to explore the possibilities of IoT. Contact us to redeem our 2021 Cisco IoT Offers. Take advantage of these time-limited IoT promotions. They are designed to help you uncover the power of Industrial IoT! CYBER VISION, DNA & CATALYST IE SWITCHING OFFERS: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFER 1: 1 YEAR OF CYBER VISION & DNA Bundle Options: IE-3400-1YE-CV-BUN (Network Essentials) IE-3400-1YA-CV-BUN (Network Advantage) Find out more. Download the Brochure of this Cisco IoT Offer: REDEEM THE "1-yr of Cybervision & DNA" OFFER HERE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFER 2: BUY 4 FOR THE PRICE OF 3 SWITCHES Options: IE-3200-POE-E-BUN: Fixed DIN rail switch, 2x 1G fiber ports, 8x PoE/PoE+ ports (power budget 240W) IE-3300-POE-E-BUN: Modular DIN rail switch, 2x 1G fiber ports, Up to 24x PoE/PoE+ ports (power budget 360W) Want to find out more? Download the Brochure of this Cisco IoT Offer: REDEEM THE "Buy 4 Pay 3 Switches" OFFER HERE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFER 3: 10G FOR THE PRICE OF 1G What's included? IE-3300-C95-X-BUN: 1 Catalyst® 9500, 8 Cisco Catalyst IE3300 Rugged Add-Ons with 18% Off: Power Supplies, SD-Cards, Expansion Modules, Cisco DNA Licences Learn more. Download the Brochure of this Cisco IoT Offer: REDEEM THE "10G for the Price of 1G" OFFER HERE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFER 4: 90%-OFF IN CYBER VISION Promo Options: 3-year license, Network Essentials (IE3400-DNA-CV-3YE) 3-year license, Network Advantage (IE3400-DNA-CV-3YA) 5-year license, Network Essentials (IE3400-DNA-CV-5YE) 5-year license, Network Advantage (IE3400-DNA-CV-5YA) Want to find out more? Download the Brochure for this Cisco IoT Offer: REDEEM THE "90%-Off in Cyber Vision" OFFER HERE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Need assistance with the implementation of any Industrial Networking or Cybersecurity systems? Simply apply to our IIoT Consulting or Implementations programmes here: IIoT Consulting Programmes

FANUC UK has announced Polestar Interactive as the first strategic network and systems integration partner for its IIoT platform, FIELD system. PBSI, the industrial media company part of the IML Group, recently announced that FANUC’s FIELD system Industrial IoT (IIoT) platform will be made available through Polestar's IIoT services in the UK and Europe. Polestar Interactive Polestar IIoT, registered in the UK as Polestar Interactive Ltd., specialises in bridging the gap between enterprise IT and OT teams and systems through the design and implementation of secure network architectures, which is core for the FIELD system to operate on high availability and resilience. FANUC UK With more than 27,5 million products installed worldwide, more than 60 years of experience in the development of CNC equipment, and more than 8000 employees, FANUC is one of the leading global manufacturers of factory automation systems. Whether it’s industrial robots, CNC systems, wire cut EDM, injection moulding machines, vertical machining centres, or its most recent IIoT platform, the FIELD System, there is nothing FANUC loves more than automation. FIELD System FIELD system (FANUC Intelligent Edge Link & Drive system) is an open IIoT platform that improves efficiency and productivity across all manufacturing processes. Besides connecting all manufacturing devices & systems, the FIELD System also allows third-party applications and converters for devices, enhancing centralised management of equipment and data, as well as data sharing in the factory floor and across geographically dispersed plants. Through developer apps, users of the FIELD system will quickly add advanced analytics, prognostic capabilities, and new operational functions to their existing production data and processes. Julian Smith, CEO of Polestar IIoT, mentions that "Polestar is excited to be working with FANUC, a global leader in robot manufacturing, automation systems, and a pioneer in the use of IIoT technologies. Our partnership will empower industrial organisations in the UK and Europe using the FIELD system IIoT platform to improve the effectiveness and security of their operations and attain excellence in their manufacturing processes. Oliver Selby – Business Development Manager at FANUC UK, adds: The FIELD system provides industrial organisations with a fast, powerful environment in which to store and analyse their production data. We are pleased that Polestar IIoT has joined us as the first network integration partners in the UK to support our platform users in the UK and EMEA through their Cyber secure Industrial IT implementations, helping them to reach optimal manufacturing operations. Read more about Polestar IIoT & FANUC's partnership here: First UK's strategic partner for FANUC's FIELD system. #IndustrialIT #IIoT #Press

We know manufacturing companies struggle coping with digital adoption due to inadequate Digital Transformation planning and slow/complex implementation. What is more, not every consultant counts with hands-on experience to deal with complex and unique plant situations that require bespoke and fast solutions. Companies end up paying consultants for telling them what they already know and sometimes, different people withhold perspective. What happens after? Consultants create their answers and then leave. They create “big ideas” and strategies but the organisation doesn’t know how to implement them. Digital Transformation for the industry demands IIoT expertise, careful planning and specialists' consultation to identify critical areas of change. IoT North compiles a list of services that can help you navigate your digitalisation journey, including our Industrial IoT consulting services. Becoming a global organisation requires enhanced resources and quality, greater investment behind technology, compliance, and direct communications between operations and the C-Suite level executives, especially EVPs of Supply. High-compliance industries are under strict government regulations in order to guarantee good/ethical practices, product safety, and to comply with strict quality standards. Secure Industrial Networks play a major role in meeting these requirements. Using appropriate Operational Technologies and IT architectures, production is enhanced through the integration of hardware and software with existing factory lines and process systems, allowing greater compliance and avoiding downtime, which is a major risk factor that impacts product safety and quality. Multi-layered secure IT architectures incorporate resilient hardware and software to avoid downtime in high compliance industries such as Food & Beverage, Healthcare, and Pharma. Deploying the right IT and OT systems paves the way for untapped production efficiencies and capabilities. Check about our Industrial Networking Services as seen in IoT North. Polestar Interactive Limited is an IIoT company in the UK. We are Network Integrators implementing Industrial IT & IIoT systems across the UK & EMEA. We are Cisco IoT & Siemens Automation Partners. We are specialists in IT & OT Convergence, Secure Industrial Networking & Cyber security. We are experienced in delivering Industrial technologies & Digital Transformation. #IndustrialIT #IIoT #Press

IoT and modern Industrial Connectivity allow manufacturers to access ICS and remotely monitor their plants. Not long ago, on-site access, control and maintenance to Industrial Control Systems was the only way for operators and managers to get to know what was going on the factory floor. For an organisation to make changes of any nature to critical systems, it was crucial to have readily available onsite engineers and support. This has proved to be financially straining and often, difficult to coordinate. In the digital age, IoT and modern Industrial Connectivity allow manufacturers to access reengineered systems and OT technologies to remotely monitor their plants, even if they are geographically dispersed, increase the visibility of their operations, and improve their manufacturing productivity. Industrial remote access has become a defining factor for many manufacturing operations as it supplies real-time information for efficient decision making, resource optimisation, and the improvement of processes. Additionally, as a result of the pandemic and other political factors happening in the EU and the UK, manufacturing and many other industries will further develop hybrid models of on-site and remote-based work, which require resilient remote access systems to function at their best. How does secure remote access work? Remote Access is a plant optimisation system that let your team connect to ICS remotely through Virtual Desktop Interfaces. Basically, it mirrors your plant’s systems, so operators and managers can access the factory floor data through a “virtually direct” connection to the SCADA, HMIs, PLCs, IACs and other systems. See in detail how a proper Secure Remote Access system should be configured. As Network Integrators, in Polestar we highly recommend that the access to your ICS proves to be resilient and secure. That demands the implementation of a mix of secure industrial connectivity systems, processes and policies, and not necessarily one single technology that is self-proclaimed to be secure. General factors of a Secure Remote Access model may include: Multi-layered Security: Implementing cyber security measures and systems across each level of your production layout is a must-have to protect data and assets from threats. Agile Connectivity & UX: Accessing your ICS should be fast, easy to manage, yet sleek. Hence, productivity is ensured. Compatibility: Systems should seamlessly integrate and develop compatibilities to prevent security gaps within the multiple apps, platforms and devices that are interconnected. Organisations need to give careful consideration before adding a new Remote Access connection for their industrial control systems. For that reason, we recommend making this purchasing decision accompanied by expert consultants that guide you in the tailoring of the solution and the securing of your IT & OT networks and Industrial Assets. In the next section, we will describe more specifically what is needed for optimal and utterly secure Remote Access. Committing to a SECURE Remote Access System Zero Trust. That is all you need to commit to a Remote Access solution. No, really... it has been calculated that the industry loses about $100, 560 million per minute when their productive systems are stopped due to unpredicted maintenance, systems intrusion, or malfunctioning. And that number does not include ransoms demanded by hackers. Read about the risks associated with remote work. Zero Trust is a Secure Network Architecture model that helps in preventing data breaches. Based on the “never trust, always verify” principle, Zero Trust is designed to protect modern industrial environments by leveraging network segmentation, avoiding/preventing lateral movement, deploying Layer 7 threat prevention, and simplifying granular user-access control. Until the late 2000s, Static Defense mechanisms gave intruders ample time to analyze your network for vulnerabilities. Under COVID, administrative processes underlying most remote access systems changed. To maintain the control and security of the Industrial Networks, Role-based access control, Task-specific workstations & VDIs, Per protocol - per port whitelisting, Moving Target Defense (Recommended by NIST 800-150 v2), and Standardised access and approval processes among others are needed. Finally, features like Disposable virtual desktops (Standardized workstations and sacrificial components), External internet & Inbound ports blocking, SDPs for remote access, End-to-end encryption, Whitelisting (Definition of access based upon time, user, protocol, and device), Scheduling (Define access windows in advance), Automated recording, Multi-factor authentication and One-click enforcement (requiring MFA or virtual desktops for your users) are extras that help increase control over who is who, who sees what and when, and who does what and when inside your ICS. Platforms like Dispel SRA backed up by Secure-by-Design Industrial Networks comply with these standards and help you embrace all the benefits of IIoT & digital transformation. Benefits of having a SECURE Remote Access Secure Remote Access to ICS allows quick efficiency wins, helping accelerate the strategic pipeline of production by securely grant access to real-time manufacturing data from every system, on any device, to those who have authorised access to it. Remote Access systems also make virtual commissioning and predictive maintenance more streamlined. This helps managers to save costs by reducing unplanned downtimes (see the impact of unplanned factory downtime on the chart shown below) and the production flow is continuously improved. Most industrial organisations pay out a significant percentage of their operating revenue on employee labour costs, which represent part of O&M expenses. To reduce overall O&M costs, let's revise in the very first place why labour costs tend to be high. At any given industrial layout, an operator may need to tend to a machine either for 20 minutes or 2 hours, but no one knows exactly when this might happen. As a result, several operators are needed on-site 24/7 to solve problems as soon as they occur. Multiply this by the number of facilities you have. The cost rises if you need experts to travel from one location in, for instance, Nottinghamshire, to another in Istanbul to perform commissioning. The way to address on-site issues quickly, without carrying the costs of multiple 24/7 operators or travelling expenses, is with secure industrial remote access systems. ICS remote access allows your operators to address problems instantly through secure Virtual Desktop Interfaces, without requiring them to be physically present. This leads to a reduced spend on employee labour costs and lower O&M expenses. The goal, anyways, is not to eliminate 24/7 presence entirely. Having available operators on-site at all times may be a necessity for your industrial organisation. However, with secure industrial remote access, a team of 2-3 people can more effectively handle the work of 7-10 workers. This way, you are simply getting more out of fewer employees, and improving their quality of life. Consider too that, when implementing compliant secure remote access, manufacturers will follow British & EU regulations for contractors. See the Equality Act of 2010. As its name implies, Security is held at the highest relevance of Secure Remote Access systems, aiming to protect industrial data and assets. When you implement a Secure Remote Access system you are in reality implementing a prevention and mitigation plan against intruders’ attacks and ICS instabilities. With new nodes, devices, remote teams, and networks being implemented in industrial facilities, features like user authentication allow for data access to be limited to only authorised accounts within the company, encryption makes sure that data is not readable to intruders, and screen recording help plant managers to gain more control over what is being done remotely in the ICS through VDIs. Virtual Commissioning and its Importance Virtual commissioning or Remote Commissioning involves performing certain functions (designing, installation, testing, control) on industrial control systems through a virtual machine or VDI to avoid system errors. Using a secure cloud connection, you have now remote access to your plants’ systems from anywhere in the world. Remote commissioning results in a cost-effective alternative to on-site commissioning, where costs otherwise associated with getting on-site engineers are avoided. Travelling on-site demands time, and during unplanned downtime, every minute doubles rise O&M costs. The more quickly you can reliably deliver to customers, the happier they will be, and revenue streams keep healthy. Another benefit of performing remote commissioning is that Engineers can be more productive. By working remotely, they can focus on solving issues without on-site distractions, they can be engaged on multiple projects at the same time, and, by having several experts all in the same place, work becomes more flexible and collaborative. Digital transformation strategies like remote commissioning and ICS remote access help with more than reaction times, they also reduce your costs. Digitalisation can reduce operating expenses by up to 25%, leading to higher profits, and performance gains of 20-40% in safety, reliability, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. We provide secure remote access designed for OT networks. Built on Moving Target Defense architecture, our SRA helps organisations enable OT remote access while staying aligned to regulatory frameworks and compliance standards. If you are looking to securely bring an OT network online, or harden existing Internet-accessible OT assets, schedule a demo at our Secure Remote Access service page. To access our IIoT specialists' knowledge and expertise, simply book a low-cost, agile 2-hr Industrial IT assistance session!

The benefits of Industrial Digital Transformation include better flexibility and agility, improved productivity and efficiency, and increased profitability. IIoT & Digital Transformation also contribute on the improvement of the customer experience. When you start an "industrial digital transformation" project or programme, the core capability you need to consider is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). If you don’t consider IoT as a part of your technology stack then you will not totally embrace digital. In the industrial and manufacturing sectors, it’s vital to make the most of the data provided by all your systems and devices. The usefulness of this information depends on its real-time availability and reliability, allowing smart choices to be made. Integrating data to decide in an agile manner on processes and actions depends on a network infrastructure that breaks down traditional “silos of information.” In fact, industrial digital transformation includes several technologies and capabilities within a digital architecture. You have, for instance, Industrial Networks, Sensors, IIoT, Edge-Computing, Cloud Solutions, Asset Tracking, Automation & Robotics, Cybersecurity, sometimes 3-D printing, and definitely the convergence of IT with Operational Technologies (OT). IIoT will help industrial organisations transition from reactive to predictive maintenance and optimise asset management strategies to improve operations and reduce costs, amongst other benefits. The goal is to use digitally available information from existing, installed field instruments to improve safety, operations, and reliability. To access our IIoT specialists' knowledge and expertise simply book a low-cost, agile 2-hr assistance session! Click here to know more: 2-hr customised session Management of industrial operations has become increasingly demanding. It’s a case of going through the tangle of new data to find the needle in the haystack. Industrial companies need to create reliable production plans to meet market demands, and synchronise maintenance plans and operations execution – with the mandate to be more productive. Just as important, plant owner/operators need to understand how well they are able to improve the process of managing the performance of these tasks, and continuously deliver improved productivity and effectiveness. For process industry firms, there is a real need to digitally transform operations, with real-time instrumentation delivering better information and allowing faster implementation of decisions. An essential requirement for every company is to ensure the safety of people, assets and the environment, while optimising the performance of processes and facilities (e.g., uptime, reliability, safety and compliance), and that cannot be done without comprehensive IT & Operational Technology (OT) Integration. During the past 20 years, the growth and diversification of the Internet has changed how industries operate. In the following 5 years, it will dramatically alter manufacturing, energy and other industrial sectors of the economy. The so-called Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and in tandem with Industrial Digital Transformation practices, are the latest wave of technological change that will bring unprecedented opportunities to the industry and to society. It combines the global reach of the Internet with a new ability to directly control the physical world, including machines, facilities and infrastructure. 14 tested benefits of IIoT & Digital Transformation for the Industry An IIoT-enabled Digital Transformation programme offers a wide range of potential applications and benefits. Research performed by officers at the OEG (Organizational Engineering Group), tested the performance of new technologies, providing a background to advance in the research on actual benefits of IIoT & Industrial Digital Transformation for Manufacturers and the Industry in general. In the study, they used OLS regressions to understand the association of Digital Transformation related-technologies to 14 expected benefits. The skewness and kurtosis values reported in their results suggest that the variables can be assumed as normally distributed, since they are below the threshold of 2.58 (α=0.01). The technologies below are associated with 14 benefits (numbered in brackets) as it follows: Digital automation with sensors for process control (β = 0.778, p = 0.064) provides the basis for the control of production cells and data collection of the manufacturing flow and cells demand, aiming to providing inputs for the the MES/SCADA and (1) creating flexible production lines for on-demand manufacturing. Big Data (β = 0.658, p = 0.008) & IoT technologies proved to be useful for real-time information processing, contributing to the building of Digital Twins that help in (2) agile and better strategic decision making in the production process, performing further data analysis for (3) predicting maintenance, enabling machine-learning (self-adapting), production scheduling, and for (4) better product design and manufacturing through CAD/CAM systems. Cloud Services (β = 0.255, p = 0.043) increased the system value perceived by managers and operators. This technology allow digital processes to be connected to the cloud enabling users via the internet to develop new capabilities related to (5) monitoring, (6) control, (7) optimisation and (8) autonomy. With the Internet of Things (IoT), technicians, process owners, and managers can communicate with each other and their systems, (9) optimising overall production results. Computer-Aided Design with Computer-Aided Manufacturing (β = 0.774, p = 0.046) brings several advantages since products can be digitally modified before their physical production, (10) reducing processing times, (11) and the resources and tools needed. Flexible manufacturing lines (β = 0.062, p = 0.008) integrate product development data with manufacturing data through the use of Sensors and the MES/SCADA which could be used to (12) reconfigure or adapt the processing sequence and the production schedule. These technologies form a system that enables both, horizontal and vertical integration. Cyber security systems (β = 0.578, p = 0.064) including secure-by-design industrial networks, redundant and resilient networking components, edge-computing, firewalls, SD-WANs, Virtual Desktops, Encryption and others (13) prevent productive losses of more than £100.000 per minute caused when the production lines are stopped, and (14) reputational damages caused by data leaks or by failing to meet supply orders. In summary, the 14 tested benefits of IIoT & Digital Transformation for the Industry are: Reconfiguration and adaptation of the processing sequence and the production schedule. The enablement of flexible production lines for on-demand manufacturing. Agile and more accurate strategic decision making in the production process. Enhanced data analysis for predicting required maintenance, enabling machine-learning (self-adapting), and better production scheduling. More efficient product design and manufacturing through CAD/CAM systems. Internet-enabled process monitoring. Internet-enabled production control. Internet-enabled process optimisation. More autonomy for day-to-day decision making in management and production teams. Better communication between teams and their systems for optimised production efficiency. Reduced processing times. Reduced resources and tools needed for production. The prevention of productive losses from insecure and unstable systems. The prevention of reputational damages caused by data leaks or by failing to meet supply orders. Some other benefits include: Enhancing data collection even in the most geographically dispersed enterprises. Providing personnel with improved remote commissioning, monitoring, diagnostic and asset management capabilities. Reducing the time and effort for configuration and commissioning. Minimising the need to troubleshoot device issues in the field. Successful digital transformation results from reshaping operational strategies to leverage valuable existing assets in new ways. To get the most out of IIoT and Digital Transformation, companies will have to adopt a new way of thinking, starting with the recognition that analog solutions are sub-optimal and do not provide the information needed to run complex industrial facilities. Finally, it is needed to understand that IoT, Networking and SaaS technologies underpinning the Internet have a central place in process optimisation. At the heart of the Digital Transformation era for the Industry is Polestar IIoT, Integrating Networks and Systems, enabling Manufacturers, Construction Companies, Healthcare Facilities, Oil & Gas Companies, and many other Enterprises through our Global Partner Ecosystem to digitally connect to the data revealed by increasingly smart instrumentation, integrating this information with enterprise systems to accelerate business performance. To access our IIoT specialists' knowledge and expertise simply book a low-cost, agile 2-hr assistance session! Click here to know more: 2-hr customised session

Deploying a Global Manufacturing Strategy in Times of Remote Work. How to Securely and Efficiently Connect Production Lines and Teams across the UK & Europe. During these unprecedented times, manufacturers in the UK and Europe have accelerated the dispersion of their manufacturing operations, aiming to gain efficiencies and face new regulations, political factors, scarce qualified resources, and the enforcement of remote work. In this learning session we discussed the effects that dual forces - the global COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, have had on the manufacturing industry in Europe and the UK testing business resilience and pushing forward Global Manufacturing Strategies. We will show you how it is possible yet to achieve efficiencies through secure industrial connectivity. In this webinar called "Delivering your Global Manufacturing Strategy in Times of Remote Working" we looked upon how to Securely and Efficiently Connect Production Lines and Teams Across the UK and Europe. We showcased tips and real case studies from our IIoT & Cybersecurity experts to: ◾ Understand solutions that help in overcoming common threats of Remote Manufacturing. ◾ Know about key factors you should consider when evaluating Remote Work technologies. ◾ Learn how to define and measure success when implementing new technologies. The speakers were: Julian Smith Polestar IIoT's Managing Director, Cyber-Security Engineer experienced in maximising ROI in OT & IT. Julian has worked implementing Industry 4.0 technologies with manufacturing, transport and utility companies in the UK and Europe; including Carlsberg, Delta, Jaguar & Coca-Cola. Ethan Schmertzler Dispel's CEO and Co-Founder. Ethan has spent 7 years looking for ways to optimise secure remote access to industrial control systems of utility companies and manufacturers, serving already over 12 million people and partners every day from offices in the US, Japan and Europe. Download the Webinar's Quick Handout here: Follow the link: Remote Manufacturing in 2021 Full Handout, and Download the PDF The Challenges for the Manufacturing Industry in 2021 Before COVID-19 and Brexit, manufacturers dispersed operations across different regions depending on the required processes and product specializations. Innovation, high-tech manufacturing, and industrial bases were separated not only demographically, but also geographically throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. This represented a challenge on teams mobility. With travel limited by COVID-19 and regulations imposed by Brexit, manufacturers who previously optimized production by spreading it out are now unable to reach their equipment and keep production up remotely. As an industry, we are experiencing a sudden and urgent need for remote work. We need a way to enable greater resiliency while still continuing business growth, off-site. This is why Digital Transformation is now a key priority in manufacturing businesses looking to adapt and optimize their production. We can no longer rely on manual, on-site practices for critical functions such as keeping machines running and gathering manufacturing data. The only way to enable smart decision-making and process optimization is to fully, securely, and efficiently enable remote access for facilities, teams, and management. Key takeaway: Brexit and COVID-19 presented a challenge in mobility, and manufacturers without secure remote access solutions are struggling to efficiently keep productions lines up. Remote Manufacturing Solutions Many manufacturers tried to overcome such challenges by installing quick-fix remote access solutions that work, but are not secure. Whether it be an unprotected access point or a shadow Android phone plugged into your OT network, you did the best you could to configure a remote access setup quickly, and were forced to accept the security risk. Unfortunately, the security risk is very high: 29% of all cyberattacks in the UK were targeted at manufacturers last year. Quick-fix methods often satisfy IT’s need for efficiency but leave IT & OT’s security requirements unattended. In order to optimize your remote manufacturing strategy, you need a system that bridges the gap between IT and OT: a tool that both meets cybersecurity requirements mandated by IT, and maximizes plant efficiency for OT. The good news is that this gap is bridgeable. Done properly, remote access to industrial control systems fulfills the needs of both IT and OT, providing substantial enhancements to uptime, system availability, and safety. See cases where installing quick-fix remote access solutions have led to serious security & efficiency threats: Molson Coors brewing operations disrupted by cyberattack Kansas Water Utility Attack Underscores Security Limitations In Municipalities Attacker Accessed Florida Town’s Water Treatment System More specifically, a successful secure remote access solution should be tailor-made for industrial environments, and should also facilitate: Delivering operations from different countries. Vendor access, for maintenance purposes. Training, that would otherwise require a physical location. Key takeaway: Mitigate security risk and improve production efficiency by investing in secure remote access made for industrial networks. Authentication, Virtual Desktops, SD-WANs, Virtual Machines, Protocol Management, Whitelisting & Encryption, all ingredients for Efficient Remote Access: A Playbook For Finding Secure & Efficient Remote Access Technologies When it comes to finding the right technology, start by considering your end goal. Most companies answer this with “to find a technology,” “to find a secure technology,” “to maintain cybersecurity,” or to “implement remote access.” However, these are not the end goal. The real end goal is plant efficiency. To accomplish this, you need to: Maximize performance. Minimize downtime. Maintain system control. To properly evaluate the new technologies you’re looking to implement, you must place a relentless focus on plant efficiency. Here are the 3 key considerations you should make when evaluating a new technology. 1. Security and Compliance A robust remote access system should allow complete control for your OT network admin with full security features built-in. If you are looking for a baseline of security best practices, a good place to start for those in the UK are the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework, the Network and Information Systems Regulations, and the National Cyber Security Center Guides for the Design of Cyber Secure Systems. Similarly, NIST 800-82, and IEC 62443 are also helpful resources to give direction to how you shape your security posture. Need help in digesting these frameworks or implementing Secure-by-Design architectures? Talk to us on a 2-Hrs Customised Consulting Session! Too often, security is seen as the enemy of efficiency. Especially in OT environments, security must be designed to boost plant efficiency. Make sure to ask: Is the product’s access control built to improve productivity, minimize downtime, and maintain system control? Ask a consultant to walk through how you would onboard, give access, and revoke access for a third-party vendor technician. A good technology consultant should tell you about: Access control. Regulatory frameworks. Secure architecture. Resilience and fault tolerance. 2. Time-to-Equipment Every minute of downtime is money lost. Your technology should be actively helping you minimize downtime, so it is essential that your technology is fast and easy to use. Ask your tech consultant to show you how the technology considers: User experience. Connection time. Accessible design. 3. Long-term Viability Factories are built to last decades. Is your digital technology built to keep up through 2050? New digital technology should bring you towards resilience and flexibility, not bog down your systems further. Ask your consultant: How often do I have to buy new hardware to stay on the most up-to-date version of this technology? Do I have to restart/re-install software on my equipment? How will this technology work with our Digital Transformation initiatives through 2050? How to Measure the Efficiency Impact of these Implementations? If you are looking to measure the efficiency impact of a technology, the best place to start is with a simple back-of-the-napkin comparison. To accomplish this, here are the steps you should take, and the data you need to collect: Please follow the link to download and use Efficiency Calculator Excel Spreadsheet and enter your inputs for your efficiency gains. Enter your findings into the “Executive Summary View” page, and look at the box at the top for your results. Key takeaway: Make sure your investment in the technology is worth the gains it will bring your organization. For more information, please download the Event's Full Memories PDF, or schedule a discussion on IoT solutions for Industries and remote access solutions for your manufacturing organization by clicking the banners below: More About this and Other Events: The Audience This webinar was designed for CEOs, CTOs, COOs, Production Managers, Heads of Engineering, Plant Directors, Facility Managers, Operations Managers, OT Managers, Security Architects, Network Architects and Site Engineers from the Manufacturing Industry. Next Events If you can't make it to this session no worries, we will be holding other Industry 4.0 events through the year. Just keep checking our Industry 4.0 Events & Offers page. Past Events Want to know what we've been up to? Check our YouTube channel where you'll find Industry 4.0 related events that we've hosted. Follow-Up Contact us for receiving advise through our IIoT Planning Programmes! #Industry40TechnologiesUK #NetworkIntegratorsUK #PolestarIIoT

Empowering the Industry with innovative IT & IoT: Delivering Industrial strength IoT in the UK, Europe & North America. Cisco IoT & Siemens Automation Partners. We develop and create strategies with a set of IIoT technology adoption stages that help any manufacturing company to become Smart. Having been in business over decades, we have worked on both sides of the IT & OT divide with Enterprise IT as well as Production Engineering in delivering enterprise and Industrial IT infrastructures, IIoT technologies and Cyber security Consulting. Go to story #IndustrialIT #IIoT #Press

The digital business era is here, and it’s changing the business landscape faster than ever. Businesses that embrace digital transformation are more profitable and quickly become market leaders, while those that don’t risk falling behind and becoming irrelevant. This is why digital transformation has become a top mandate for almost every IT and business leader. The ZK Research IT Priorities Survey found that 90% of businesses currently have digital transformation initiatives underway (Exhibit 1), up from 84% last year. Historically, the network edge has been considered of low importance. It connected workers’ computers, printers and a few other devices to the main network, but most user data and applications resided on computers. The network was used to periodically fetch new information or to support “best effort” services, such as email. In this scenario, the access edge played a role of base connectivity and was considered to be of low value. Today, the role of the access edge is completely different and should be considered mission critical. These are the top factors driving up the value of the access edge: Almost all applications are networked. The Internet of Things (IoT) is now mainstream. The use of sensors and beacons has grown. WiFi has become pervasive. Security is shifting to the access edge. The evolution of the access edge is the single biggest change in networking in decades, as it is an entirely new operational and architectural model. An access edge is designed specifically for digital businesses and will bring a level of dynamism never seen before to the edge as well as enable it to have the same level of agility as other areas of IT. Consequently, the network will no longer be the bottleneck that holds organizations back. An access edge is designed specifically for digital businesses and will bring a level of dynamism never seen before to the edge as well as enable it to have the same level of agility as other areas of IT. Key criteria for the new access edge include the following: Unified management of wired and wireless. Software-centric solution. Segmentation everywhere. Integrated threat defense. Automatable network. Single pane of glass management. Standards-based solution. Machine learning (ML)–based intelligence. Intent-based networking (IBN). Recently, Cisco upgraded its widely deployed Catalyst line of access switches and added new line of Catalyst Access Points and Wireless Controllers. The new Catalyst 9000 family delivers on the vision of intent-based networking with some advanced features today, but it also provides a path to a fully autonomous network in the future. The digital transformation era is here, and businesses need to adapt to survive. Today, competitive advantage is based on a company’s ability to be agile, adapt to changes and make rapid shifts to capture market transitions. Most of the digital-enabling technologies—such as IoT, cloud and mobility—are network centric, which raises the value of the network, particularly the access edge. If the business is to harness the full potential of these technologies, the access edge must evolve, with the first step being implementing a unified edge. Shifting to a unified access network needs to be top of mind for CIOs today, as it is the foundation for digital transformation. Read the full research document here. Polestar and ZK Research provide tactical advice and strategic guidance to help manufacturers in both the current business climate and the long term. We deliver insights to end-user IT managers; end-user network managers, and vendors of IT hardware, software & services. Contact us to schedule an IIoT Workshop. #Industry40TechnologiesUK