Your connected network should be cyber secure by design, ensuring it’s always ready for industry. Because cyber resilience is no stronger than the devices connected to your network.
As Australian industry becomes increasingly connected, cyber security is no longer just an IT conversation.
From mining operations and water treatment facilities to food and beverage manufacturing plants, infrastructure networks and utilities, operational technology (OT) assets are exchanging more data than ever before. Modern technology like Variable speed drives (VSDs), PLCs, and connected industrial devices, are becoming increasingly important components of modern industrial operations and as digitalisation accelerates, cyber resilience is becoming an operational consideration as much as a technology one.
Although organisations are embracing greater connectivity to improve productivity, visibility and operational performance, at the same time they're facing an evolving cyber threat landscape that requires a proactive and structured approach to cyber security.
That's why ABB approaches cyber security as a continuous process embedding security throughout the product lifecycle, from requirements and design through implementation, service, support and decommissioning.
Cyber security isn't just about protecting devices. It's about helping safeguard the availability, reliability and productivity of the industries that keep Australia running, and cyber resilience is becoming an increasingly important consideration for long-term operational success.
Five cyber security challenges facing industrial organisations
Industrial organisations across Australia are navigating a range of cyber security challenges as connectivity increases:
- Regulatory complexity: Navigating varying cyber security standards, requirements and industry expectations can add complexity to compliance and risk management.
- Cyber security knowledge gaps: Limited cyber security expertise can make securing automation systems and industrial plants more challenging.
- System integration risks: Secure integration requires compatible approaches, trusted support, and secure, easy-to-use components.
- Operational disruption concerns: Cyber security measures are sometimes perceived as increasing downtime, complexity and maintenance effort.
- Customer expectations: Cyber security is increasingly becoming a procurement consideration, with customers expecting suppliers to demonstrate a strong security posture.
As a result, cyber security is no longer viewed solely as a technical issue. For many organisations, it is becoming an important business consideration that influences investment decisions, procurement strategies and operational risk management.
What could go wrong?
When people think about cyber incidents, they often think about stolen data. In industrial environments, however, the consequences can extend much further. A cyber incident has the potential to impact safety, productivity, reliability and business continuity across an operation.
Unauthorised commands for example could result in unexpected motor starts or stops, creating potential risks for workers, equipment and critical processes. Cyber incidents such as ransomware or denial-of-service attacks may also disrupt production, leading to costly downtime and operational interruptions.
Beyond operational impacts, organisations may face the loss or compromise of valuable information. Configuration files, process parameters and customer data can become exposed, altered or unavailable, affecting both day-to-day operations and long-term performance.
Ultimately, cyber incidents can undermine confidence in connected systems by affecting asset availability, operational reliability and business continuity. For industries where uptime and dependable performance are critical, cyber resilience is increasingly becoming an important component of broader operational risk management.
Cyber security starts long before installation
Cyber security cannot be treated as an afterthought. It needs to be considered from the beginning. Similarly, cyber security in automation is not a checklist—it’s a lifecycle responsibility that influences every design, operational and modernisation decision.
From system design through to long-term operation and upgrades, planners and operators must consider:
- System architecture
- Connected assets
- Evolving cyber threats
- Operational responsibilities
- Long-term lifecycle management
Many organisations believe their systems are secure until previously unseen vulnerabilities or gaps are identified.
Selecting technologies developed using recognised cyber security practices can help strengthen a broader cyber resilience strategy.
ABB's secure-by-design approach
ABB approaches cyber security throughout the product lifecycle. From requirements and design through implementation, support, maintenance and decommissioning. Key elements include:
- Cyber security integrated throughout the product lifecycle
- Secure development processes certified to IEC 62443-4-1
- Products designed to support compliance with IEC 62443-4-2
- Continuous focus on improving cyber resilience
- Support for customers building more secure industrial systems
As digitalisation continues to accelerate, organisations are increasingly looking for technology partners that consider cyber security alongside performance, energy efficiency and operational reliability.
PLCs and cyber security
Cyber security is one of the most important topics for ABB and its customers. With the adoption of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), more devices are connected than ever before and as a result, the security of industrial automation and control systems is increasingly critical. To answer this need ABB aims to protect the data, integrity and availability of all AC500 PLC products.
How ABB AC500 PLCs help address security challenges
Robustness testing: The AC500 PLC undergoes intensive robustness testing, including fuzzing and flooding tests, to help ensure stability and reliability under unexpected conditions and high network loads.
Vulnerability scanning: Regular vulnerability scanning helps identify and address known weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Security testing: Static code analysis and binary code analysis help identify hidden flaws and vulnerabilities early in the development process, supporting a secure and resilient control platform.
Five questions worth asking about your OT cyber security strategy
As industrial operations become increasingly connected, it may be worth asking:
- Do we know which assets are connected to our operational networks?
- Are cyber security considerations included when selecting industrial equipment?
- Is cyber security considered throughout the asset lifecycle?
- Are IT and OT teams collaborating effectively?
- Do we understand how connected devices fit into our broader cyber resilience strategy?
There is no single solution to industrial cyber security. But - asking the right questions can help organisations better understand their current position and identify opportunities for improvement.
Cyber resilience is a journey, not a destination
Cyber security is not a one-time project or a single product feature. It is an ongoing process involving technology, people, smart operational practices, and lifecycle management.
ABB approaches cyber security as a continuous process throughout the product lifecycle, helping support customers as they build confidence in connected industrial environments. Because the future of industry depends on systems that are not only productive and efficient—but also resilient.
Are you ready to strengthen your OT cyber resilience? Contact an ABB specialist to discuss your operational challenges and discover how secure-by-design drives, PLCs and lifecycle expertise can help protect your connected operations.
