Smart Manufacturing

CHAPTER 5Improving Cybersecurity Using Smart Technology

Craig Martin

Introduction

The process of sourcing, procuring, building, and delivering goods, the supply chain for short, is a key cog in the engine that makes many companies successful. An effective supply chain contributes lower costs, a faster production cycle, improved profitability, access to advanced technology and specialized expertise, and improved customer satisfaction. Each decision made in developing a comprehensive supply chain strategy, however, is a balance of risk versus reward.

Manufacturing and supply chain teams are continually searching for ways to improve their contribution to the company while having systems and processes in place to mitigate risk. Many of the risk tradeoffs are well chronicled and understood – quality versus cost, for example. The potential of sourcing a component from an unproven source in a remote location to save 20% presents a very tempting opportunity, and one many organizations face daily. Establishing a strategy that is the most cost effective but takes longer to get to market in a very competitive world can be a dilemma. Sourcing new exciting but immature technology offers the potential of creating a competitive advantage but can be disastrous if units begin to fail in the field.

Exhibit 5.1 shows the balance between established and cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies.¹

EXHIBIT 5.1 Balance between technologies

Source: From WiseGEEK.

In this chapter, we explore a relatively ...