DIGITALISATION
Published on : Tuesday 01-10-2019
The recent drone attacks on two key Aramco facilities in Saudi Arabia by Yemen based rebel groups signals a new threat.
Technology is a double edged sword. It can be used for human welfare, but it can also be abused for wreaking havoc and causing destruction. The attack on the Aramco facilities has caused the largest surge in crude prices in decades, but fortunately has not resulted in a huge catastrophe as the damage was contained. This is certainly not an unanticipated development. The industry as well as governments are aware of such threats and there are countermeasures like radars and geofencing, apart from other electronic surveillance techniques, deployed to guard against such threats. However the incident highlights the rising threats from external enemies as well as disgruntled groups from within the borders, looking for chinks in the security armour. This brings the focus back to cybersecuirty and the need to take it seriously. The fact that this has happened to an installation of the oil & gas industry, which is more automated and hence better prepared is ominous. Moreover it is not just another enterprise, but one of strategic importance to the State. Millions of such threats, big and small, are countered and nipped in the bud every single day by effective counter measures, unknown to the lay person. But security experts are too aware of the reality that disgruntled elements have to be lucky just once, whereas they do not have the luxury to merely wish to be lucky every time.
This issue of Industrial Automation is the Special Edition to celebrate the 14th edition of Automation Expo. The Cover Story is focussed on Digitalisation, which is also the theme of the Expo this year. There are many insights from domain experts on how enterprises can
start the process of digital transformation. In a world of rapidly changing technologies, there is no time to wait for the opportune moment. While there is always the paucity of funds and concerns of return on investment when it comes to investing for transforming what is a running plant, the fact is, in a highly competitive world, it is not only about operations, but optimisation. Business models are rapidly changing as the buoyant automotive industry is now realising all of a sudden. Technology does no wait for anyone to catch up. Enterprises that are moving in tandem with technology have better chances of success.
We at IED Communications use this opportunity to wish all our exhibitors and visitors at Automation Expo 2019 a very fruitful participation in this event, which is growing year after year, embracing all the new technologies, bringing them together under one roof. This editorial is from the magazine for the month of feb 2020 to here from the experts & industry proffessionals subscribe now by visiting this link.(https://www.industrialautomationindia.in/subscription)
