UL, an independent safety science company, has urged companies in the Middle East to take drastic action against cybersecurity before it is too late
Speaking at the 9th ASIS Middle East 2019 Security Conference and Exhibition, Arif Hassan, Sales Lead with UL Identity Management and Security division, delivered a presentation on the impact of cybersecurity in the industry 4.0 and explained the importance of taking adequate measures of managing cybersecurity.
Hassan told delegates that with businesses conducting their day-to-day operations digitally, Industry 4.0 is transforming the way we work.
“Many tasks once performed by humans are now being automated in Industry 4.0. With the use of real-time data analysis and connected devices, production has become very efficient and customised to specific needs,” he said.
“While increased automation can free up time to concentrate on more complex tasks, this also means that our workforce skills will have to adapt to make changes in the workplace. However, we will never be able to remove the human element,” Hassan said.
“It is a key component required to align all these new skills and technologies into effective communication, problem-solving, supporting change management, multi-discipline integration, and securing our ecosystems, products and services.”
With millions of people using different forms of technology every day, IoT devices connected to high-speed Internet 5G networks are proving to be prime targets for hackers and criminals.
Emphasising that cybersecurity is not just an IT problem but a business risk, Hassan said, “With an increasing number of businesses getting digitised, they can be exposed to several threats if they do not properly manage security risks. We have seen that organisations have been affected by security and data breaches where top executives have lost their jobs,”
Hassan added that innovative methods are being applied by cyber attackers, including using mechanisms in hardware, software and information gathering.
Industry bodies all over the world are continually updating and introducing new regulations and certification standards driving towards creating a structured ecosystem, which is safer.
