Cybersecurity is now a greater concern for car manufacturers than cutting costs, introducing flexible manufacturing, or adopting AI, according to a new survey conducted by ABB Robotics.
The poll of 473 automotive industry decision-makers around the world suggests “a fundamental shift” in how manufacturers view digital risk, operational continuity and the future of vehicle production, according to the company, says Drives and Controls.
The Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey, conducted in partnership with Automotive Manufacturing Solutions, shows a high level of consensus, with 95% of respondents regarding cybersecurity as “significant”, and 53% identifying it as being “extremely significant”. Respondents in all regions, and across OEMs, and Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, all ranked cybersecurity as the industry’s top priority in the coming five years.
ABB says that the results reflect the rapid expansion of connected technologies on the factory floor. Advanced robotics, vision systems, analytics, digital twins and AI are delivering major gains in productivity, quality and flexibility. But they also require secure, controlled connections to deliver their full value.
“Cybersecurity is no longer something manufacturers are thinking about for the future – it is something they must address at the heart of production today,” says Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics’ automotive business. “As factories become more connected, software-driven and data-intensive, cybersecurity has become a core manufacturing discipline.”
This survey findings differ from those conducted in previous years, when cybersecurity was just one of a broader set of concerns. Today, says ABB, manufacturers increasingly recognise that cyber-incidents do not simply affect IT systems – they can halt production, disrupt supply chains and affect finished products, even in environments where equipment is not directly connected to the Internet.
“Rather than rejecting digitalisation, manufacturers are demanding stronger assurance that connected production can be deployed safely and resiliently,” says Reger. “With more than nine in ten survey respondents expecting increased use of AI and big-data management, and a similar number planning greater adoption of digital twins and simulation, secure connectivity is no longer optional.
“With the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act on the horizon, manufacturers need partners who are already prepared,” he adds. “That’s why platforms like ABB’s OmniCore controller family have been designed from the ground up for secure, connected manufacturing – enabling advanced digital capabilities while giving customers control over how and where connectivity is deployed.”
(Picture: Yay Images)
