 Cybersecurity Requirements Raising the Stakes for Manufacturers
|
|
by Elliot Forsyth, Vice President of Business Operations at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center)
|
|
|
 |
|
NIST MEP's Pat Toth speaks at a recent informational session on cybersecurity
|
|
Cybersecurity is paramount to our nation's safety and our military's viability. Having a sustainable plan in place to combat cyber threats also is critical to the survival of a small business because just one cyber-attack can be catastrophic.
The following statistics underscore the severity of the issue:
As a result, government agencies are formalizing and instituting cybersecurity requirements for their contractors. Specifically, the Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA) and NASA require contractors to meet minimum security requirements detailed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in
Special Publication 800-171 by December 31, 2017-or risk losing federal contracts. (...)
These requirements expand on initiatives that originated in 2009 when Congress began adding more information security requirements in the National Defense Authorization Act, and NIST started producing several iterations of cybersecurity standards. The DoD has implemented these measures through the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), a component of the Federal Acquisition Regulations system that governs the process for acquiring goods and services.
Today there are new standards for companies handling "Controlled Unclassified Information" or CUI, data that can be considered government-proprietary. It is information the government wants held secure, but is not vital to national security. DFARS now is implementing cybersecurity requirements on contractors handling CUI-a far broader set of companies than those doing classified work.
Implementing proper cybersecurity plans can be a daunting task-especially when time sensitivity is a concern. Many facets of the NIST requirements, including the need for data encryption and multifactor authentication, typically are not found in an everyday manufacturing environment. Why? Small to mid-sized manufacturers typically don't have the internal IT resources and sizable budgets large enterprises may possess. (...)
Understanding the wide range of ongoing complex cyber threats remains a challenge, yet it is no longer optional. In our increasingly connected digital world, cybersecurity will continue to grow in importance and complying with NIST 800-171 could well become part of standard operating procedures.
Find out more and read the full article
Also, take a look at these helpful compliance resources from Colorado PTAC
|
What is Kata and Why Should I Care?
|
|
Manufacturer's Edge presents two First Friday Kata events this summer
|
|
|
|
How do you build the elusive "everyone, every minute, every day" continuous improvement mindset and habit in your organization? How can managers and workers avoid isolated spot improvements and work effectively together to stay on track and problem solve in a dynamic environment? How can you create team focus on challenging goals and navigate the grey zone between here and there? Join us for our July and August First Friday Manufacturing Events to get an overview of Kata and how it can address the questions above.
Kata, applied originally in manufacturing by Toyota, is used to
establish a disciplined means for improving, adapting and innovating.
A kata is a small, well-structured protocol or routine that becomes second nature through practice, and brings about the development of a particular skill. The point of the kata is not the memorization of the routines, but rather the habits of thought and action that practicing them leaves behind.
In contrast to approaches that attempt to predict the path and focus on implementation, Kata builds on discovery that occurs along the way.
Cynthia Christie, the Manufacturer's Edge Director of Client Services, hosts the July webinar and August half-day class on Kata. She brings over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, beginning with GE Aerospace designing jet engines, and now works with companies to achieve measurable strategic performance improvement through enlightened leadership, employee engagement, and process excellence.
Introduction to Kata
Webinar - July 7, Noon - 1:00 MST
Kata in Action
Half Day 'Lunch and Learn' Class - August 4, 10:00 - 2:00 MST
GeoTech, Denver
$150/person; use code "TAKE2" to receive a 20% discount for more than one person from same company
Find out more and register
|
Get Ready for MFG DAY 2017!
|
|
Join us in celebrating Manufacturing Day 2017 by hosting your own event. Or two. Or more! Manufacturer's Edge and the MFG DAY website will guide you every step of the way and we'll even help you make it fun and easy.
|
|
|
|
Manufacturing Day 2017 will be observed on Friday, October 6 this year, but did you know that you can register virtually ANY event on the MFG DAY website and add it to the interactive map to get international coverage and access to free planning resources? Your event does not need to take place on October 6th. It doesn't even need to be held during the month of October!
Take a look at some other common misconceptions about participating in MFG DAY addressed on their website. For more information and a wealth of additional materials, tips, and resources, be sure to visit the
MFG DAY website and/or contact
Manufacturer's Edge. We are here to help!
FROM MFGDAY.COM:
"It's too hard to register."
We've often heard complaints that the event registration process isn't intuitive or is too time consuming.
We've tried to listen as best we can to these comments and have
streamlined the event registration process so that it doesn't take more than a few minutes - and can be returned to if you need more time to gather the requisite information.
"I have too many events."
Some users - such as corporate coordinators responsible for events at multiple facilities - have refrained from officially registering MFG DAY events because they simply had too many to add to the site.
To address this, we've created a bulk uploading system for Hosts who find themselves in this sort of situation. A template and instructions for using it can be accessed from your Host Dashboard once you
create an account.
"My event is not open to the public."
The desire to hold a private event - by invitation only - is probably the most common reason Hosts choose not to register their MFG DAY event.
It's understandable. If your intention is to host an event just for employees or a set list of invitees, you don't want uninvited guests arriving at your door with the expectation of being treated to some sort of public presentation.
That's why we've added a feature that lets Hosts designate their event as "Private" on mfgday.com, barring any potential attendees from RSVP'ing through the site.
"My event won't occur on the first Friday in October."
While the official date for MFG DAY is the first Friday in October, any day can theoretically be a Manufacturing Day.
While there's definitely value in the critical mass created when thousands of manufacturers hold events on the same day, we encourage Hosts to schedule their events on whatever day of the year best suits them.
Choosing a day other than the first Friday of October for your event should therefore be no barrier against official registration. In fact, if you view the
current and past lists of MFG DAY events, you'll see hundreds that happen on days other than the official date - many of them not even in the month of October!
|
Upcoming Events
|
Visit our
website for a complete calendar of
manufacturing events taking place around Colorado
|
|
|
|
|
Tap-In Colorado: Source and Cycle
June 21, 2017 @ 4-8pm
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Source & Cycle focuses on end users working in wastewater, stormwater, potable water, groundwater, reclaimed and reused water, rainwater, and sustainable/green infrastructure.
|
Northeast Colorado Manufacturers Expo
June 23, 2017 10am-4pm
A full day event featuring vendor exhibits, a presentation from Lockheed Martin, a Women in Manufacturing Panel, a Young Manufacturing Entrepreneur Panel, and a social hour at Parts & Labor Brewery.
Find out more
|
First Friday Webinar: Introduction to Kata
July 7, 2017 @ 12-1pm
How do you build the elusive "everyone, every minute, every day" continuous improvement mindset and habit in your organization?How can you create team focus on challenging goals and navigate the grey zone between here and there? Join us for our July First Friday to get an overview of Kata and how it can help with these dilemmas.
|
|
|
