In the digital transformation of today’s interconnected world, it comes as no surprise that the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a hot topic. Connecting mobile devices, sensors, manufacturing equipment, and other devices allows us to utilize big data analytics. These data points create deeper insights into processes and serve as a starting point for new business models, more revenue, and even improved customer experiences.
So then, what place does an Internet of Things solution have in the industrial sector?
Think of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) as a focused application of an IoT solution. Since the scale of IoT can range anywhere from your smart home’s interconnected lights to managing an oil refinery, it’s important to understand the fundamental reasoning behind the industrial applications of IoT devices.
Industrial IoT platforms can be adapted to a variety of needs, from the manufacturing process to the retail stores that the products end up in. Within IIoT applications, the focus is on machine-to-machine communications, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and aggregate data. In order to accomplish this, IIoT solutions can involve smart devices, production sensors, and network hardware to keep everything connected.
How Does IIoT Work?
Industrial IoT is a network of connected devices, machines, and systems that collect and share data in industrial environments. Device manufacturers equip devices with sensors, software, and other technologies. These IIoT devices are able to communicate with each other and with centralized systems for monitoring, control, and analysis.
Overall, IIoT enables industrial organizations to monitor and optimize their operations in real time, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and cost savings. By using predictive analytics and leveraging the power of data, IIoT devices can help organizations make better decisions and stay competitive in an increasingly data-driven world.
Which Industries are using IIoT?
Many businesses utilize Industrial IoT technology! Because of the flexibility an IIoT system can provide between physical and digital components, the potential to transform operations through IIoT data is not limited to a particular application or industry. Here are a few examples of how various industries use IIoT solutions:
- Manufacturing: Monitor and optimize production processes, improve quality control, and reduce downtime. By using IoT devices in the manufacturing industry, companies can detect equipment malfunctions before they cause a breakdown, enabling preventive maintenance and reducing overall costs.
- Energy: Monitor and control power generation and distribution, energy management, and improve safety. IIoT sensors can detect equipment failures, enabling routine and preventive maintenance.
- Transportation: Optimize logistics, improve safety, and reduce costs. IIoT sensors can track the location and condition of vehicles and cargo, enabling real-time monitoring and control.
- Automotive: Monitor and control vehicle settings and predictive maintenance. The automotive industry uses IIoT systems to collect and analyze data during vehicle testing to improve the overall safety of the vehicle.
What are The Benefits of IIoT?
The most anticipated benefit of IIoT technology is that it allows the manufacturer to perform predictive maintenance and service. Using IIoT real-time data, businesses can predict when machine maintenance is needed and even get ahead of any potential complications or breakdowns. This is especially beneficial in the manufacturing industry, where failures in machines can result in costly downtime. Custom manufacturing software is essential here.
IIoT can also enable organizations to monitor product quality in real time. This enables quick detection of defects and other issues, reducing waste and improving consumer satisfaction. Quality control is much easier with the help of industrial automation!
Another large benefit of implementing an IIoT solution is the ability to build a safer workplace. By monitoring working conditions, IIoT-connected devices and sensors can alert monitors to hazardous conditions before they can become safety risks. A safer workplace can increase employee satisfaction and accident prevention while lowering any downtime due to safety incidents.
What are the Security Considerations and Challenges in Adopting the IIoT?
While using an IIoT solution can revolutionize operational efficiency for a business, an increase in connected devices means an increase in the number of security risks your system now deals with. Some concerns with adopting an IIoT solution can include high implementation costs, lack of internal expertise, and the possibility of disrupting existing processes and systems.
Many industries are already adept at managing these issues within their existing systems, as they are required for an efficient, functioning set of industrial processes. Where things can get tricky, however, is security. Security can often take a back seat to other issues due to legacy systems and solutions that are currently in place. So what impact does adopting an IIoT solution have on an organization’s security?
Security vulnerabilities start with the connected devices themselves. Adoption of an Industrial IoT solution means examining the security of both the connected system as a whole and the individual devices that it’s comprised of. Ensure that any devices your IIoT solution utilize meet proper security requirements and that employees are aware of security risks posed by company devices. IT training is paramount to ensure that business processes and data are not intermingled with personal information and data.
By itself, connecting any system to the internet gives rise to cybersecurity concerns, as hackers can potentially access and shut down internal systems and operations. Targeted attacks can lead to the loss of company data that ripples across your production processes. Connection to the Industrial Internet of Things means that previously local-only devices and systems could potentially be publicly discoverable, which can be a major issue, even leading to fines if regulated private information is made public.
How Companies Can Implement IIoT Intelligently
Despite all those concerns, IIoT remains an important solution to keep organizations relevant and competitive. Companies benefit from this by conducting methodology studies, implementation, and maintenance. Among those areas is cybersecurity.
Connecting operations technologies to the Internet is a risk to businesses everywhere. Unreliable operational technology could reduce all Industrial IoT opportunities, leaving businesses exposed. The security design of the infrastructure must include the following:
A Centralized Security Operations Center
A security operations center (also referred to as a SOC) can be used by analysts to monitor data for potential threats, analyze data, and investigate possible solutions to ongoing problems. Using a data center gives analysts better control of big data. This setup works best for companies that would benefit from increased visibility of systems and analysts who can use aggregated data to help prevent errors and improve responsiveness.
Learn more about software for equipment management.
When you create a complex network of interconnected IIoT devices and systems, you increase the potential attack surface and vulnerabilities. Performing regular vulnerability assessments helps identify potential weaknesses and proactively address them. Combining proactive issue analysis with increased visibility gives your systems the best protection – looking back on how you can improve and catching major vulnerabilities before they even become a concern!
Recruiting Security Experts to Mitigate Threats
As always, seeking the help of security experts brings specialized knowledge and skills to your organization. Security experts who have experience with complex IIoT technologies bring in-depth knowledge of the unique security challenges and considerations associated with connected industrial devices and environments. They understand the intricacies of securing devices, networks, protocols, and data flows specific to IIoT deployments.
In addition, security experts can help develop and implement security policies, procedures, and guidelines specific to your organization’s IIoT environment. These documents can outline security requirements, access controls, incident response protocols, and compliance measures. With this knowledge, they’ll help you build a digital manufacturing initiative to produce positive business outcomes.
Well-defined and well-designed policies help establish a security-conscious culture within your organization and provide guidelines for employees to follow during IIoT deployment and operation. Educating your workforce about best security practices, social engineering threats, and safe handling of IIoT devices and threats empowers your employees to make informed security decisions. In the long run, this makes for vigilant employees who help your organization reduce the risk of human errors or negligence.
Full-Stack Protection
Just like an Industrial IoT solution connects large systems across your organization, it’s important to focus on implementing security measures across the entire IIoT ecosystem you’ve created. There are various layers to a full-stack solution for protecting your IIoT system:
- Device Security: Ensure that IIoT devices are implemented with security in mind, including secure boot mechanisms, strong authentication and authorization protocols, encryption of data, and secure firmware/software updates.
- Network Security: Implement secure network architectures to protect data transmission and prevent unauthorized access to your internal networks. This could include virtual private networks (VPNs) or firewalls.
- Regular Updates and Patch Management: Keep all IIoT components, including devices, software, and firmware, up to date with the latest security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities.
- Identity and Access Management: Implement strong authentication and access control mechanisms to ensure that only authorized individuals can access IIoT systems, devices, and data.
By implementing security measures across the entire Industrial IoT ecosystem, organizations can enhance the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of their systems and data, reducing the risk of security incidents and ensuring a more secure and resilient IIoT implementation.
Geneca is Here to Help
Are you ready to revolutionize your industrial operations with a powerful and secure IIoT solution? Look no further than Geneca!
When choosing Geneca, you can expect tailored solutions that address your specific business needs, from identifying the unique challenges your organization faces to implementing comprehensive security measures. Our team will help guide you through every step of the process, ensuring a seamless and intelligent implementation of IIoT.
Don’t miss the opportunity to stay ahead of the competition and optimize your operational efficiencies. Reach out to Geneca today, and let us shape the future of your industrial data landscape with the transformative power of Industrial IoT.