Smart Manufacturing: Ensuring a Smart Future for Manufacturing

Smart manufacturing has the potential to improve the entire manufacturing industry.

The Internet of Things (IoT), combined with broadband connectivity, enables us to create smart factories, where every aspect of the manufacturing process can be monitored and optimized using artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. However, as the number of connected devices increases, so do the potential security risks, making cybersecurity a key consideration in the design and implementation of smart factories. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of smart manufacturing, the role of 5G in enabling smart manufacturing, and the importance of cybersecurity to protect digital assets and prevent cyber threats.

Helen Yu invited industry thought leader Dez Blanchfield as guest host for AT&T Business Talks, and together they explored the exciting world of smart manufacturing, the benefits of IoT, 5G, and MEC in making smart decisions, predicting demand, and preventing downtime, while prioritizing strong network security.

Here is a summary of the discussion:

Q1. What does a smart factory look like in practice? What is the best case scenario?

YuHelenYu: Smart factory means applying smart technology to manufacturing operations. Through connected solutions such as IoT, video intelligence and 5G, we can use predictive analytics to make smart decisions, anticipate demand and prevent downtime. My ideal factory should also have an effective cybersecurity strategy that extends from the factory to remote workers, third-party vendors and suppliers to help protect against vulnerabilities that hackers may target.

Dez Blanchfield: I use an infographic to illustrate the key components of a smart factory. The key drivers of smart manufacturing are digital technology and fast telecommunications, both of which are drivers of innovation and digitalization.

Maryson W.: Smart factories maximize edge computing by strengthening cybersecurity. Industry 4.0 requires more frameworks than just checklists, strategies or plans. As digital transformation eventually turns into a race for digital survival, the toughest will come with Industry 5.0.

Q2. Why is 5G considered a catalyst for “smart factories”?

YuHelenYu: 5G is a catalyst because it provides higher bandwidth and lower latency, and enables real-time communication between machines, sensors, cameras, and people. It allows more machines to connect to the network and communicate with each other, optimizing production processes in real time. 5G enables manufacturers to use sensors to track the location and condition of inventory in the supply chain, and helps prevent delays and reduce waste. It can use augmented reality technology in manufacturing. Technicians can use AR to visualize and solve problems.

Dez Blanchfield: Industry 4.0 is only possible with a high-speed, trusted, secure, low-latency, high-data throughput network like 5G because data is the catalyst for smart manufacturing.

Maryson W.: The litmus test has already begun. If we want AI to manage everything one day, the time to act is now. 5G can open the door to 4K security cameras when factories have less manual monitoring in terms of real estate. 5G can be summarized as the backbone of IoT, industrial IoT devices, and simplify digital twin operations.

Q3. What is the difference between 5G and fiber optics? How do they help create a more reliable network?

Helen Yu: Advanced wireless technologies such as 5G, edge or Wi-Fi can maximize the flexibility of connecting data collection endpoints. Advanced Internet solutions such as commercial fiber create the backbone for building advanced wireless technologies with the speed required for real-time decision making.

Dez Blanchfield: The key point here is that one is wireless (5G) and the other is “fixed wired” (fiber) technology. They offer very different but powerful and valuable solutions for the manufacturing site.

Q4. What expertise does a company need to build a reliable manufacturing network?

Helen Yu: Everything starts with business priorities. First, what business outcomes do you want to achieve, then the technologies needed to achieve them, which will determine the expertise needed. Some of the priority areas I see are artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, big data, and analytics. Choosing the right partner with the required expertise is critical.

Dez Blanchfield: Successful smart manufacturing companies will choose the right partners to design, deploy and manage their future networks while focusing on their core business.

Maryson W.: The probability that blockchain is not needed is less than 50%.

Q5. What is the role of cybersecurity in the digital revolution in manufacturing?

YuHelenYu: Cybersecurity plays a vital role in the digital revolution in the manufacturing industry. As manufacturing facilities increasingly adopt industrial IoT devices, automation systems, and cloud computing, the attack surface of cyber threats is also expanding. Cybersecurity measures are key to protecting digital assets. Implement firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, access control mechanisms, and encryption protocols to prevent unauthorized access, data leakage, and other cyber threats. Cybersecurity in the manufacturing industry also involves ensuring the security of the supply chain, as many manufacturers rely on third-party suppliers for components and services.

Dez Blanchfield: Security, or cybersecurity, has always played a key role in the development of manufacturing and is now a key element of the digital revolution.

Q6. What are the biggest barriers to cybersecurity and reliability for manufacturers?

Helen Yu: The biggest barriers to cybersecurity are lack of awareness and expertise, as well as the increasing complexity of manufacturing networks with the adoption of more digital technologies and the interconnection of various devices and systems. Manufacturers may prioritize achieving production goals over security due to perceived costs or lack of understanding of potential risks. In addition, the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks poses a major challenge to the security and reliability of networks.

Dez Blanchfield: Early barriers to digital transformation are often education or awareness, and the intelligent design and implementation of the right tools and systems to enable them.

Q7. What is MEC and what role does it play in manufacturing network security and reliability?

YuHelenYu: MEC is multi-access edge computing, a managed service that enables enterprise customers to differentiate specific data traffic in a dedicated wireless network campus environment based on devices, IP addresses, and customer policies, and route it to designated customer applications. It allows factories to put decision-making intelligence in this edge computer, which can decide what to keep on the network. It puts inherent security capabilities first. This is a device that makes intelligent decisions within the factory.

It brings edge computing closer to the manufacturer, rather than to the cloud provider’s network edge. It brings the benefits of cloud networking directly into the facility. It reduces complexity because it makes distributed decisions about what to keep.

Dez Blanchfield: MEC has proven to be a powerful enabler of digital technology, telecommunications, data analytics, and manufacturing insights.

Maryson W.: Mobile edge computing (MEC) helps connect smart factories to the cloud, and of course a self-healing network is needed because there are a plethora of automation technologies to choose from.

The smart factories of the future require secure networks and reliable connectivity. This includes security at the device level, network level, edge and cloud. These overlapping layers of protection provided by AT&T help mitigate risk and identify threats as they emerge:

• Cybersecurity strategy, planning and assessment services.
• DDoS protection and application layer security
• Managed Firewall Services
• AT&T Global Security Gateway
• Cloud Security Strategy and Assessment
• Threat Detection and Response Solutions

The complexity of the modern security environment requires cybersecurity experts—managed security services are easier than training or hiring in-house experts. Choose a vendor with a history of trusted, enterprise-grade services.

As we continue to embrace the evolution of smart manufacturing, it is critical to prioritize security and connectivity to ensure a successful future. With AT&T's expertise in cybersecurity and reliable networks, smart factories can operate efficiently, sustainably and safely. Let's work toward a future where data-driven insights and technological advancements drive innovation and success.