In an increasingly connected and data-driven manufacturing landscape, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are transforming the way companies manage their production processes. While these systems offer significant benefits for efficiency and visibility, they can introduce new risks for cybersecurity, data privacy, and intellectual property protection. In this post, we'll examine the essential steps for addressing these risks and how to safeguard your organization when implementing MES.

Tackling Cybersecurity Challenges

Securing your MES System against potential cyber threats is paramount. We recommend following the following steps for effectively managing cybersecurity risks related to your MES:

1. Perform a thorough risk assessment

2. Implement industry-standard security practices

3. Establish a robust threat monitoring and response system

Risk Assessment

Begin by conducting a comprehensive risk assessment of your manufacturing technology environment, including your MES System, process control systems, SCADA, and your overall IT infrastructure to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats. Evaluate the network infrastructure, software, and hardware components, as well as all integration points with other systems.

Industry-Standard Security Practices

Develop and enforce security policies and procedures aligned with widely recognized frameworks, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or the IEC 62443 standard for industrial automation and control systems. These guidelines should cover critical areas like access control, network segmentation, data encryption, and routine security updates.

Threat Monitoring

Set up a continuous monitoring mechanism for your manufacturing execution system—and any other connected systems—to detect and respond to potential security incidents. Most importantly, the monitoring mechanism must alert you of any problems. Employ tools for intrusion detection and prevention, and create a well-defined incident response plan. In addition to monitoring, configure automated backups. The automated backups should be set up to copy the relevant files to secondary and even tertiary locations. This ensures that your work is not lost in the event of one backup failing. Regularly restore backups in a sandbox environment to ensure they are functioning properly.

Safeguarding Data Privacy

With the implementation of an MES comes the responsibility of handling sensitive data, such as personal information and trade secrets. To ensure data privacy, consider the following steps:

1. Identify and classify sensitive data

2. Implement data protection measures

3. Train employees on data privacy

Understanding Your Data

Understand the types of data being collected, processed, and stored within your MES system and classify each type according to their sensitivity. This will help you prioritize data protection efforts and comply with relevant data privacy regulations, such as the GDPR or the CCPA.

Data Protection Measures

Apply encryption, access controls, and data masking techniques to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access—both in transit and at rest. Also be sure to establish procedures for secure data disposal when it is no longer needed. It is extremely important to make sure you are not storing plaintext passwords anywhere in your system.

Data Privacy Training

Educate employees and contractors about the importance of data privacy and their role in maintaining it. Provide regular training on company policies, industry regulations, and best practices for handling sensitive information.

Protecting Intellectual Property

Your Manufacturing Execution System may contain valuable intellectual property (IP) in the form of proprietary algorithms, software, or manufacturing techniques. To protect your IP, take the following steps:

1. Identify and document IP

2. Implement IP protection mechanisms

3. Monitor and enforce IP rights

Inventory Your IP

Take a comprehensive inventory of the intellectual property within your MES System and other production systems. This inventory should include patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and any other forms of IP. Be sure to document ownership, licensing agreements, and any restrictions on use or access to your intellectual property. Store this information in protected locations and be vigilant about setting up proper access for employees and contractors to avoid unnecessarily sharing any of your IP. It is easier to keep a secret if no one else knows it in the first place.

IP Protection

Use technological controls such as encryption, digital rights management, and access controls, to restrict unauthorized access to your IP. Also, consider using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with employees, contractors, and partners who have access to sensitive information. NDAs are common practice in the manufacturing world and you should leverage them with any employees, vendors, or partners who will be given access to your information.

Intellectual Property Monitoring

Regularly monitor the use of your IP, both within and outside your organization, to ensure compliance with licensing agreements and other legal requirements. Be prepared to take legal action against infringement or misuse of your intellectual property.

Collaborating with Vendors and Partners

When implementing an MES System, you'll likely work with vendors and partners like Corso Systems who provide software, hardware, or integration services. To mitigate risks related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and IP protection, consider the following:

1. Assess vendor security and compliance

2. Establish clear contracts and agreements

3. Monitor vendor performance

Vendor Security and Compliance

Before engaging with a vendor or partner, conduct a thorough evaluation of their security practices and compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations. This can include reviewing their security certifications, conducting audits, or requesting documentation of their security policies and procedures.

Contracts and Agreements

Develop contracts and agreements with your vendors and partners outlining your expectations for security, data privacy, and intellectual property protection. Include specific requirements for data handling, encryption, access controls, and other security measures.

Monitor Performance

Maintain ongoing communications with your vendors and partners to ensure they continue to meet your security and compliance requirements. Conduct regular audits or assessments to verify their adherence to established policies and procedures.

Fostering a Culture of Security

Successful risk mitigation in the implementation of an MES depends on the commitment and involvement of your entire organization. To promote a culture of security, consider the following:

1. Leadership buy-in

2. Employee training and awareness

3. Continuous improvement

Leadership’s Role in Security

Ensure that your organization's leadership is committed to prioritizing security and privacy in the implementation and ongoing management of the MES system. This includes allocating necessary resources, setting clear expectations, and leading by example. How you do anything is how you do everything, and you want to make sure you are doing things the right way.

Employee Education

Provide ongoing training and education for all employees on security and privacy best practices—along with the specific policies and procedures related to the MES. Encourage employees to report potential security issues and recognize their contributions to maintaining a secure environment.

Review and Update

Regularly review and update your security policies, procedures, and controls to address emerging threats and changing regulatory requirements. Encourage employees to share feedback and suggestions for improvement, and be open to making changes as needed.

Wrapping Up

Implementing a Manufacturing Execution System can provide significant benefits for your manufacturing operations—and it also introduces potential risks related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and intellectual property protection. As MES systems are integrated across many technology areas, it is vital to assess potential vulnerabilities and threats at all integration points between your MES and the rest of your infrastructure. Building this thought process into your overall culture will foster a security and privacy focused mindset. With this mindest, you can fully use your MES system to better optimize your operations instead of worrying about if your data will be exposed or compromised.

By taking a proactive approach to assess and manage these risks, you can ensure a secure and compliant production environment, so that your organization can fully realize the benefits of MES technology. By fostering a culture of security and working closely with vendors and partners, you can mitigate risks and protect your valuable assets in today's complex and evolving manufacturing landscape.

Contact us today to get started on your secure Manufacturing Execution System.