The Purpose-Led Manufacturer: Thriving with Impact, Scale, and Trust

The first half of 2023 saw a surge of interest in generative AI (GenAI) that bordered on hysteria. For a few months, the world’s communications channels were abuzz with talk about its potential to impact almost every area of personal, social, and business life. Even industrial organizations started to examine if GenAI could add value to their operations.

Sustainability was centre stage at the recent Hannover Messe, which was attended by more than 4,000 companies including the biggest and emerging technology vendors. This year, the focus was on technologies to support sustainable and climate neutral operations.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission have collaborated to establish the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards. It is a daunting series, so we have distilled its essence down to the most relevant details that will keep operations running and ICS (Industrial Control Systems) secure. These systems automate industrial production processes and are used widely in power, water, oil, and natural gas industries. The ISA/IEC 62443 standards provide frameworks for best practices within industrial network security and new technical specifications are reviewed every 3 years to see if they can become new standards.

This report offers a simplified guide to EU cybersecurity laws, focusing on the NIS 2 Directive, and provides practical advice for businesses to meet these regulations. The NIS 2, an upgrade from NIS 1, addresses its shortcomings, broadens scope, and introduces stricter rules, with an aim to enhance Europe’s digital security baseline. As the October 17, 2024, deadline approaches for legislative adjustments, understanding and implementing NIS 2 is crucial for businesses.