Honeywell Technologies' Uygar Doyuran discusses the cybersecurity, data, and AI foundations required to advance industrial autonomy while safeguarding safety and uptime. Greater autonomy introduces new cybersecurity challenges as connected systems and AI assume increased responsibility, based on information published by TahawulTech.
The expansion of industrial autonomy, driven by increased connectivity and AI decision-making, broadens the attack surface and elevates the potential impact of cyber incidents beyond data to include production, safety, and operational uptime. Honeywell Technologies emphasizes that cybersecurity must be an integral part of this transition, particularly as operational technology (OT) integrates with enterprise systems and cloud platforms.
The company is investing in OT-specific technologies like Cyber Proactive Defense, which leverages AI and domain knowledge to detect risks before they disrupt operations. Organizations can achieve autonomy by building upon existing, often fragmented, infrastructure rather than relying on complete replacements. A phased approach, starting with understanding current assets and data, then identifying AI applications for specific operational challenges, is key.
Honeywell Forge facilitates this by connecting disparate data, knowledge, and control systems. Protecting connected environments requires a thorough understanding of assets, communication pathways, and vulnerabilities. Implementing OT-specific cybersecurity measures, including network segmentation, continuous monitoring, and secure data flows, is crucial.
Deterministic, domain-specific AI is critical because incorrect decisions in industrial settings can have severe physical consequences. Honeywell's approach combines data, domain knowledge, and deterministic AI to ensure AI operates within defined constraints. For industrial organizations in the Middle East, prioritizing a defined operational challenge and assessing existing capabilities for autonomy is the first step, followed by a roadmap that embeds cybersecurity from the outset.
Source: TahawulTech
