As October marks International and National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, industry experts are raising awareness on the ever-growing importance of cybersecurity in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. Dr. Bijal Sanghvi, Managing Director of Axis Solutions, recently shared insights on how cybersecurity, automation, and Industry 5.0 are converging to shape the future of industrial operations.
“In the era of Industry 5.0, automation goes beyond efficiency; it represents the fusion of human creativity with intelligent technologies,” Dr. Sanghvi explains. “This fusion is reshaping industries through advanced collaboration between humans and machines, creating a more dynamic and precise production environment.”
At the heart of this transformation lies cybersecurity, an essential pillar ensuring the protection and resilience of interconnected systems. IEC 62443, the globally recognized framework for industrial cybersecurity, has become vital in safeguarding these automation systems from the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. The standard offers comprehensive guidelines to protect industrial environments by addressing vulnerabilities, securing data, and ensuring operational integrity.
“As industries embrace Industry 5.0’s human-centric vision, where smart systems amplify productivity, secure and reliable infrastructures are more critical than ever,” says Dr. Sanghvi. “Automation drives innovation, but it’s cybersecurity, through frameworks like IEC 62443, that ensures these systems remain resilient. Together, they empower industries to innovate fearlessly, maintaining both operational excellence and cyber resilience.”
Dr. Sanghvi emphasizes that this combination of technological innovation and cybersecurity is set to define Industry 5.0: “This perfect blend of technological innovation and security is what will define the success of Industry 5.0, where human-machine collaboration flourishes, and trust in connected systems remains unwavering”.
2024 is a Year of High Cyber Risk
The importance of robust cybersecurity systems has been highlighted by a wave of high-profile attacks in 2024. One particularly devastating ransomware attack targeted a leading financial institution, crippling its operations and compromising sensitive customer data. Another breach exposed personal information at a major healthcare provider, raising privacy concerns and highlighting vulnerabilities across industries, said Dr. Sanghvi.
Governments worldwide have responded to these escalating threats by strengthening regulatory frameworks. “In response to escalating cybersecurity threats, governments have ramped up their regulatory frameworks to enhance security across various sectors. Notably, the U.S. has introduced the National Cybersecurity Strategy, which focuses on improving collaboration between public and private sectors and strengthening defenses against cyber incidents. Similarly, the European Union has implemented the NIS2 Directive, mandating stricter cybersecurity requirements for essential services and emphasizing the importance of resilience and incident response. In India, the CERT-In guidelines have been updated to enforce mandatory incident reporting and Support risk management practices,” he added.
These measures reflect a global effort to enhance cybersecurity across sectors, ensuring organizations are equipped to defend against threats while safeguarding critical infrastructure and sensitive data. As Dr. Sanghvi stated, “This perfect blend of technological innovation and security is what will define the success of Industry 5.0, where human-machine collaboration flourishes, and trust in connected systems remains unwavering.”
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