Schneider Electric, with a Gulf branch, has joined the newly formed International Society of Automation (ISA) Global Cybersecurity Alliance as a founding member
The ISA created the Global Cybersecurity Alliance to advance cybersecurity readiness and awareness in worldwide manufacturing and critical infrastructure facilities and processes.
The alliance brings together end-user companies, technology and system vendors, IT infrastructure vendors, service providers, system integrators and other organisations to address growing and emerging cyber threats.
It will use the ANSI/ISA 62443 standards for cyber-security automation and control system to increase awareness and expertise, share knowledge and information, and develop best practice tools to help companies achieve cyber-security protection. The alliance will work closely with government agencies, regulatory bodies and other relevant organisations around the world.
Nathalie Marcotte, senior vice-president, Industrial Automation Services, Schneider Electric, said, “Our goal is always to help our customers maximise their profitability, safely, efficiently and reliably. That means doing all we can to protect them from cyber-harm.”
Mary Ramsey, executive director of ISA, added, “As an industry confronts escalating, innovative and dangerous cyber-attacks, every organisation interested in securing our global infrastructure should collaborate to improve how end-users defend themselves.”
The alliance is seeking additional members and is inviting end-users, asset owners, automation and control system providers, IT infrastructure providers, service providers, system integrators and other organisations to join.
“We welcome companies and organisations from all segments of the industry to join our efforts,” noted Ramsey.
Multiple industry leaders, including Claroty, Nozomi, Johnson Controls, Rockwell Automation, and Honeywell have also joined the alliance as founding members.
Blake Moret, Rockwell Automation CEO, commented, “Cyber-security is critical to digital transformation. It’s critical not only for the protection of information and intellectual property, but also for the protection of physical assets, the environment, and worker safety.”