In the heartlands of Britain's manufacturing prowess, a pivotal gathering recently convened, uniting the minds behind Made in the Midlands and Made in Yorkshire. The agenda? Cybersecurity—a topic as critical to modern industry as the machinery that drives it. Following on from best practice talks from Ellis Patents, Wavenet and SGS, industry leaders then moved to themed discussion groups focussing on some of the topics raised by the speakers.
Understanding the Cyber Terrain
Jason Pitt chaired one of the discussion rooms along with speaker Tom Harris of Wavenet. Other members participating included Andy Dawson, Emma Hill, Jennifer Hughes, Cherelle Jones and Nigel Maris.
The symposium commenced with a sobering reminder: the manufacturing industry is under siege. Cybercriminals lurk in the digital shadows, exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated systems and interconnected networks. Ransomware, phishing, and supply chain breaches pose existential threats, jeopardising not only production but also the sanctity of customer data and intellectual property.
Learning from Leaders
Amidst the discourse, key insights emerged, echoing the sentiments echoed by Tom Harris, underscored the urgency of the "three Ps"—people, passwords, and patching. Employee training, stringent password protocols, and regular system updates emerged as non-negotiable pillars in the defence against cyber incursions.
Translating Talk into Action
The real litmus test lies in the implementation of insights gained. As noted by Jason, the integration of small steps can yield significant dividends in bolstering cybersecurity. Implementing ISO standards for data protection, conducting simulated phishing attacks for employee training, and securing remote work environments were among the actionable strategies discussed, each informed by real-world experiences and industry best practices.
Tom also suggested that a permissions based approach to data and using layering to give access will also limit internal threats or threats arising from employees that may have compromised their devices.
From Challenges to Collaboration
Considerations were made for secure remote working environments and public Wi-Fi usage. Participants acknowledged the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, emphasising proactive approaches like continuous training, robust password management, and VPN usage on public networks to bolster organisational defences.
Towards a Secure Future
Manufacturers were also sharing experiences of supply chain vulnerability and the importance of all of the links being secured.
Conclusion
The recent discussion is a rallying cry against the encroaching spectre of cyber threats. By translating dialogue into action and fostering collaboration, the manufacturing sector can chart a course towards a secure future—one where innovation flourishes, industries thrive, and the legacy of British manufacturing endures.
Best Practice
Made in the Midlands and Made in Yorkshire meet each month to discuss key topics affecting industry. These discussions are designed to build ‘tacit knowledge’ in the community, share and learn best practice and networking.
To add yourself to a future event goto your dashboard and select from the upcoming events.