An interview with Sebastian Walchshofer, Head of the Automation and Software Department at RUBIG Industrial Furnances.
Thanks to digital networking, RUBIG systems provide precise data on energy consumption, process times, maintenance costs and much more. This provides customers with a comprehensive pool of data that enables them to produce components even more efficiently. Protecting this data from industrial espionage is therefore essential. We asked Sebastian Walchshofer, Head of Automation and Software, four questions about cybersecurity.
- Data security is a very serious issue and employees everywhere are made aware of it as much as possible. On the other hand, how are RUBIG systems protected against hacker attacks?
Walchshofer: IT/OT (Note: Information Technology / Operational Technology) is becoming more and more complex, which makes it even more challenging for plant manufacturers to ensure data security. At RUBIG, we invest a lot of time in the continuous development of the network structure and have the know-how to ensure a secure remote maintenance system. In order to provide our customers with maximum security, we will implement the IEC 62443 certification in 2025. This is an international cybersecurity standard for industrial automation and control systems. Ultimately, however, it is the customer's responsibility to protect their data. - Where do you see the biggest challenge on the customer side?
Walchshofer: As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important, the integration of new systems into existing ones is becoming more complex and time-consuming. This is a significant challenge for many companies, which are often reaching their personnel capacity limits and seeking external support. The overall process of connecting a
system can become more complicated as a result. - Once the system is connected successfully, a considerable amount of data is generated. What should customers pay particular attention to in this regard?
Walchshofer: To enable long-term data analysis, the data must be stored. In particular, the aircraft industry relies on data recording over several decades. This requires a suitable IT infrastructure that can handle all this. In particular, the aerospace industry relies on data recording over several decades. This is an exceptionally long period of time in the context of IT. It is worth considering the significant advancements in IT since the 1950s and the potential for further developments in the next 50 years. Companies must make critical decisions regarding data formats and the value of storing data over extended periods. Ideally, these decisions should be made before data is even created. - What additional changes do you expect?
Walchshofer: I am convinced that new professions will emerge. IT and OT are merging, and it will need its own specialists who can handle this type of work. Digitalisation has paved the way for the automation technician 2.0: what could only be done analogously in the past can be done analogously and digitally today, and perhaps only digitally in the future.
My conclusion: Digitalisation has already changed the way we work a lot and will continue to have a strong influence on our actions in the future. I look forward to the many possibilities that we cannot even imagine today.
If you also have any questions for our expert, then do not hesitate and contact us!
