Cyber Security in Industry 4.0: The Pitfalls of Having Hyperconnected Systems

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution is referred to as Industry 4.0. The current trend with manufacturing is automation and unparalleled levels of data exchange. To bring this trend to realization requires integrating the Internet of Things, Internet of Everything cyber-physical systems, cloud computing technologies, and more into manufacturing. Industry 4.0 involves a hyperconnected system that includes the smarter use of robotics to effectively and efficiently move to manufacture to new heights. With the use of all these technological systems, it is imperative to ensure that cyber security plays a role during the rise of this digital industrial revolution. In the United Kingdom, more than eighty manufacturing plants were hit by cyber attacks while threats in this specific industry have risen. The pitfalls of having hyperconnected systems leave an entire industry even more vulnerable than the traditional enterprise system design.