LINPRA and RestartSMEs Manufacturing Forum: network safety in manufacturing

The event was dedicated to introduce the representatives of the manufacturing companies to the concepts of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, speak about the benefits offered by the RestartSMEs project. The key note speakers Daumantas Zavadskis and Julius Juodišius focused on the topic of cybersecurity in manufacturing. They presented the risks and challenges that appear in manufacturing, when the company does not ensure secure operation of systems and networks. They have spoken of solutions, that should be implemented to avoid unexpected intrusions or collapses of operational systems. The presentation on cybersecurity was followed by the group work. The participants were divided into two groups and worked actively to express their challenges in the road to digitalization. The most relevant topics (challenges), distinguished in the group work, were the following: – Configuration and synchronization of all ERP systems (used in a company) into one single ERP system – Lack of financial sources/investment. It is often the funds that slow down the development of digitalisation. The miscalculation of needed funds may lead company to loosing too much. The topic may be – drawing the roadmap for digitalization and counting the expenses/ evaluating financial possibilities. – Good combination of employees’ skills and technology. In case these two elements do not match, company will face a number of challenges in digitization. If the current conditions are holding you back, it’s time to re-evaluate your technological infrastructures and the skills of your employees. The other confirmed topics, that are of interest to companies: – Robotics for Industry 5.0 – Digitalisation of the supply chain – Monitoring system in the factory – Resource efficiency in manufacturing – Cybersecurity – Change management in digital transformation (ability to “sell” the idea/need for digitalization inside the company, up-skilling of employees)