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Day: August 11, 2020

Manufacturing Technology and Quality Management

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manufacturing technology and quality management
manufacturing technology and quality management

The Only Constant is Change in Manufacturing

Advances in manufacturing technology is affecting quality management strategies.  Companies are reassessing their manufacturing requirements, and many are reshoring to the United States.  According to studies conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute, the United States could boost annual manufacturing  as much as 20% by 2025.   To accomplish this, manufacturing processes must utilize technology to create better products with higher efficiency and lower costs.  As a result, quality management systems must evolve to embrace the changes advanced technologies will bring.

New Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology

There are many emerging technologies that will effect industry in the coming years.  These technologies will allow for higher quality production with increased process control.  This increase in automation will result in smaller more capable workforce.  Some of these advancing technologies include:

  • Automated CNC.
  • Analytics and machine learning.
  • Precision robotics for assembly and quality inspection.  The number of industrial robots in the U.S increased by more than 15% last year.
  • Additive manufacturing technologies such as 3-D printing.
  • AI for real-time monitoring and control of processes and asset maintenance.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for process control and maintenance monitoring.
  • Advances in human/machine interfaces such as Extended Reality (XR) to present data in a spatially relevant perspective.

New Perspectives for Quality Management

As the manufacturing floor changes so too must approaches to quality management.  An important step will be to implement quality as an organization-wide function.  This will require a transition from a silo perspective to one that will provide collaborative exchanges among all stakeholders.  Quality will also have to be much more action based to respond to increases in capabilities of data capturing and analytics.  This enhanced feedback will ensure more timely continuous improvement processes.

Responding to Risks

Intelligent change must identify and mitigate risks.  Because all of the technologies mentioned here are vulnerable to cyberattacks, effective cybersecurity to prevent industrial espionage and theft of intellectual properties should be implemented.  Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) are excellent mechanisms for accomplishing this.  They ensure that risks are identified, mitigation processes created, and incident response procedures are in place.

CVG Strategy

CVG Strategy understands the importance of manufacturing technology and quality management.  We support development of manufacturing in the U.S.  We offer consultant services for quality management systems that fit your organization’s requirements.  Our consultants provide expertise in ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100.  We also provide services for ISMS cybersecurity solutions including ISO 27001 and NIST-800-171.  Contact Us today to see how we can help.

Ransomware a Growing Problem for Businesses

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Ransomware a Growing Problem
Ransomware a Growing Problem

Ransomware is a growing problem for organizations.  The rate of increase in incidents is skyrocketing in governmental agencies and small to medium businesses.  The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) estimates that a ransomware incident occurs every 14 seconds.  While the average costs of ransoms are increasing the real cost to an organization is downtime and loss of reputation.

What is Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious code that denies access to data stored on a computer or system.  Access to data is denied until a ransom is paid in cryptocurrency.  There is no guarantee that data will be restored once ransom demands are met.  Because ransomware is typically spread by phishing emails or visiting infected sites it is difficult to mitigate through IT solutions alone.  Effective preventive measures require organizational awareness and regular training of all personnel.

Recent Incidents of Ransomware in the News

  • The Washington Times reported that The George W. Bush Presidential Center was hacked on August 1, 2020.  A ransom was paid by Blackbaud, a third party data management service to retrieve unencrypted donor data.
  • The city of Lafayette Colorado was hacked on August 5, 2020.  As a result city emails, phones, and online payment portals were disabled until a $45,000 ransom was paid. 
  • Canon confirmed that it was hit with a ransom for their photo and video storage service on August 6, 2020.  This resulted in the site being down for over six days.

Precautions and Mitigations

CISA recommends that users keep software and operating systems up to date.  It advises that data backups be performed on a regular basis.  It also advises to not click on attachments in unsolicited emails and to practice safe internet browsing habits.  These are excellent recommendations but difficult for an organization to effectively implement. 

Effective protection of data requires the implementation of an Information Security Management System (ISMS).  ISMS such as ISO 27001 and NIST 800-171 incorporate risk assessment and incident management plans and procedures.  They also include asset management and include scheduled training for all personnel. 

CVG Strategy is aware that ransomware is a growing problem and is committed to helping organizations protect themselves and their data.  Our consultants can tailor an ISMS that meets your organizations requirements.  Contact Us today to see how we can help.