Not so long ago, seasoned control engineers would laugh at the thought of having their industrial control and SCADA systems connected to the Internet. However, times have changed, and today the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is interconnecting industrial control system (ICS) devices and critical infrastructure to the Internet at an unprecedented pace. This in turn is forcing a fast, large-scale convergence of old and new technologies that is reshaping the reliability, availability and security of industrial environments.
Cloud computing is a paradigm that will eventually come into play with Internet-connected industrial environments. Currently, a vast amount of research is being pursued that investigates cloud-computing's role within the industrial and manufacturing space, as well as other critical infrastructures such as the smart grid. Nonetheless, one major consequence of using cloud-based technologies within industrial environments is that of mitigating pervasive cybersecurity risks for industrial systems. This presentation will highlight the current trends and advancements of cloud-based technologies for industrial environments, both from a practical and research perspective. More importantly, however, the session will provide insight into how cloud-based technologies might be used to alleviate complex cybersecurity challenges within industrial environments.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will get a glimpse into the advancements of Cloud computing based technologies and their integration within industrial environments. The material will provide a balance of advanced research that will impact near-future industrial systems along with real-world implementations and results that are currently in progress around the world.
