What do preprogrammed robots on a factory floor have in common with driverless trains and metro systems? A uniquely advanced degree of automation. Automation is transforming lives at an unprecedented rate. In the railway industry, for example, technological innovation is taking the shape of futuristic offerings, like driverless cars and trains. And now these same innovations are coming to other transportation applications and the factory floor.

Over the past decade or more, the need for cyber security in industrial automation and control systems has been accelerating at an ever-increasing rate. Adoption of the benefits of commercial off-the-shelf and open technologies, awareness of the systems, exposure of the systems and precedents set by previous attacks have all contributed to the increase. The advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) pushes this even further, with the increased uptake and reduced cost of powerful computing technologies like cloud, virtualization, shared networks and so on.

In June 2017, researchers disclosed a new family of sophisticated malware that is designed to target and disrupt industrial control systems (ICS) in power grids, specifically electric utility substations. CRASHOVERRIDE (aka Win32/Industroyer) offers modules that use standard industrial protocol communications and can directly control switches and circuit breakers within Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) in substations.

As travelers in the 21st century, we’ve come to expect more convenience out of our travel experiences, especially in regards to the conveniences provided by technology. Whether that means personal internet access via our smartphones, instant onboard entertainment options, such as TV or movies, or to up-to-date travel information – the demands on public transportation to provide these services continues to increase. These offerings are no longer luxuries, they’ve become necessities. When it comes to travel by trains, buses or coaches, all of these demands can now be met by the introduction of the high-speed wireless communication known as long-term evolution, or LTE.

Improved efficiency and productivity is a key requirement in the manufacturing industry for sustainable growth. Operational downtime is the enemy to be avoided at all cost. This also affects partners and suppliers across the manufacturing supply chain – and can especially be felt by the machine building sector.