In Industry 4.0, innovation and cybersecurity must go together

Previously, industrial environments worked completely separately. That is, operating systems, responsible for controlling machines, sensors and physical processes, were separate from IT. There was no integration with corporate networks, and the cloud was something far away. It was a closed and parallel world, where security depended basically on physical control: disconnected local networks, systems without internet access and old industrial protocols that were not made thinking of digital threats.

But all this has changed in recent years. With digitization, production lines, equipment and industrial data need to communicate in real time 'NOT only within the factory, but also with corporate and cloud systems. The integration between OT and IT has brought efficiency, but also exposed vulnerabilities that previously did not exist. Many industries still operate with legacy infrastructures, without adequate protection against cyberattacks, old or outdated software, and this has become a great risk.

Collaboration between IT and OT is essential to protect industrial networks

According to IDC, “As industrial operations increasingly rely on IT and cloud resources, managing OT security in isolation is no longer feasible.” Collaboration between IT and OT is essential because threats can and do cross networks. Malware and ransomware pose as great a threat to OT as targeted attacks on industrial control systems (ICS). These threats cross from IT to OT, for example, when a control engineer clicks a malicious link in a phishing email, or when a service provider connects an infected pendrive to an OT station.”

That is why there is the current urgency of innovation and cybersecurity to go hand in hand. Modernizing the industrial park with intelligent sensors, autonomous systems and platforms based on artificial intelligence will not be efficient if these advances are prevented from being executed due to a cyberattack.Each new technology implemented brings gains to the operation, but also expands the attack surface. 

And you must always keep in mind that: an exposed environment is the same as a paralyzed operation, a paralyzed operation is synonymous with countless losses. Innovation is only sustainable when it is accompanied by a protection strategy that evolves at the same pace. This includes from the choice of suppliers that prioritize security to the continuous training of teams, through access policies, network segmentation, constant updates and complete visibility of all connected assets. In Industry 4.0, protecting is as important as innovating 4.

How to deal with a lack of budget?

One of the biggest obstacles to achieving this need is the budget 4 or rather, the lack of it. Many companies simply do not allocate money to protect their systems, either by ignorance of the risks or by prioritizing more visible investments, such as new equipment or production processes. In most cases, digital security is not yet part of strategic planning, being treated only when an incident occurs. The problem is that without adequate resources, it is impossible to implement effective solutions, update legacy infrastructures or hire specialists. 

MetaIndustry Initiative

In this context, important initiatives arise such as MetaIndustry, a project developed by the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI) in partnership with technology companies to accelerate digital transformation in the sector. Combining physical and digital infrastructure, MetaIndustry offers a controlled environment where companies of different sizes can test and validate technological solutions with low cost and high precision. The proposal is clear: reduce entry barriers to innovation, allowing more industries to experiment, adjust and implement technologies safely and effectively, simulating real results in their operations.

More than investing, we need to evangelize

The industry needs to understand clearly that cybersecurity is part of the strategic budget. Protecting data, systems and operations does not only mean avoiding losses, but rather gaining market confidence, maintaining business continuity and creating a solid foundation for growth. The more industrial leaders understand the real risks and concrete benefits of a preventive approach, the more prepared they will be to make decisions that strengthen the future of the operation. Security is not a cost: it is a competitive differential in the era of Industry 4.0.