Why Your Manufacturing Systems Need Better Security: A Guide to Embedded Encryption

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Manufacturing systems face increasing cybersecurity threats as they become more connected and digitised
• Embedded encryption provides essential protection for IoT devices, operational technology, and sensitive manufacturing data
• Hardware-based security solutions offer superior protection compared to software-only approaches
• Proper implementation of encryption protocols can prevent costly production shutdowns and intellectual property theft
• TRX Electronics provides access to cutting-edge security components that safeguard modern manufacturing operations

The Growing Storm: Manufacturing Under Siege

Manufacturing facilities worldwide face escalating cybersecurity challenges as they embrace digital transformation. The convergence of IT and operational technology creates both opportunities and risks for modern manufacturers.

This trend reflects manufacturing's critical role in global supply chains combined with the adoption of connected technologies. Smart factories, IoT sensors, and cloud-based systems have expanded potential attack surfaces, creating numerous entry points for malicious actors.

The vulnerability stems from the interconnected nature of modern manufacturing operations. When production systems become compromised, the consequences can include operational disruptions, data breaches, and significant financial losses.

Understanding Embedded Encryption: Your First Line of Defence

Embedded encryption represents a fundamental shift from traditional security approaches. Rather than relying solely on network perimeters and software-based protections, embedded encryption integrates security directly into the hardware and firmware of manufacturing devices.

Encryption and secrecy are absolute requirements of IoT deployments. They are used for securing communication, protecting firmware, and authentication. This approach ensures that even if attackers breach network defences, the data and communications remain protected through robust cryptographic protocols.

The Three Pillars of Embedded Encryption

Data Protection at Rest: Manufacturing systems store valuable intellectual property, production data, and operational parameters. Any sensitive data stored on these devices should be encrypted to ensure it is protected from physical attacks or data thieves that attempt to read data from the flash drive of the device.

Secure Communications: A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack involves intercepting and eavesdropping the communications between an embedded device and a host system. Encrypted communications prevent attackers from capturing sensitive operational data or injecting malicious commands.

Device Authentication: Embedded encryption enables robust device identity verification, ensuring only authorised equipment can access manufacturing networks and systems.

The Anatomy of Modern Manufacturing Threats

Manufacturing operations face distinct cybersecurity challenges that require specialised protection strategies. Understanding these threats is crucial for implementing effective embedded encryption solutions.

Ransomware: The Manufacturing Nightmare

Ransomware is a commonly used attack vector in which malware and encryption technologies are used together to render data or entire systems unusable until either systems are restored from backups or a ransom is paid. For manufacturers, ransomware attacks can halt production lines, disrupt supply chains, and cause millions in losses.

The manufacturing sector's attractiveness to ransomware groups stems from their sensitivity to operational downtime. 76% of respondents confirmed that OT was impacted during a recent cyberattack they experienced, highlighting the vulnerability of operational technology systems.

Intellectual Property Theft

Manufacturing companies possess valuable trade secrets, proprietary designs, and production methodologies that represent significant competitive advantages. Without proper protection, this intellectual property remains vulnerable to sophisticated extraction attacks.

Attackers often target manufacturing systems to access valuable information including product designs, manufacturing processes, and customer data. Inadequate encryption of data transfers and insufficient network segmentation can increase exposure to these threats.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Manufacturing operations rely on complex supply chains involving multiple vendors, contractors, and partners. These interconnected relationships can create security vulnerabilities when suppliers have varying levels of cybersecurity maturity.

Embedded encryption helps create secure communication channels within the supply chain, limiting potential damage from compromised partners or vendors. Strong device authentication and encrypted communications can help maintain security even when working with third-party systems.

Implementing Robust Embedded Security Solutions

Effective embedded encryption requires a comprehensive approach that addresses hardware, software, and operational considerations. Modern manufacturing systems demand security solutions that can scale from simple sensors to complex industrial control systems.

Hardware-Based Security Foundations

Unlike software-only solutions, hardware-based embedded security for the internet of things (IoT) is strong, tamperproof and provides a solid foundation. Hardware security modules and dedicated cryptographic processors provide the computational power necessary for robust encryption while maintaining system performance.

When selecting the right components for your security implementation, having access to comprehensive analog and digital IC development tools ensures you can evaluate and test security solutions before full deployment.

Key hardware security features include:

• Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) for secure key storage
• Hardware random number generators for cryptographic strength
• Secure boot processes to verify system integrity
• Tamper-resistant enclosures that detect physical intrusion attempts

Advanced Encryption Protocols

The standard for encryption is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) which replaced older DES algorithms dating from the 1970s. Modern embedded systems implement multiple encryption modes to address different security requirements:

AES-256 Encryption: Provides robust data protection with computational efficiency suitable for resource-constrained devices.

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC): Offers strong security with lower computational overhead, ideal for IoT devices with limited processing power.

Transport Layer Security (TLS): Ensures secure communications between devices and central systems, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks.

Operational Technology Integration

The long-term security strategy for this sector should include separating and strongly protecting safety and reliability-critical OT networks from IT networks, as well as eliminating all OT dependencies on IT systems and services. This network segmentation approach, combined with embedded encryption, creates multiple layers of protection.

Proper OT integration involves:

• Implementing secure gateways between IT and OT networks
• Encrypting all data flows between operational systems
• Establishing secure remote access protocols for maintenance
• Creating isolated security domains for critical processes

Choosing the Right Security Components

Selecting appropriate embedded security components requires understanding the specific threats, performance requirements, and compliance standards relevant to your manufacturing environment. The choice between different security architectures can significantly impact both protection levels and operational efficiency.

Modern security solutions range from simple encryption chips suitable for basic IoT devices to comprehensive security platforms capable of protecting entire manufacturing lines. The key is matching the security level to the risk profile and operational requirements of each system component.

Developing and testing these security implementations requires robust development environments and testing tools. Professional analog and digital IC development solutions provide the necessary infrastructure for validating encryption performance and ensuring proper integration with existing manufacturing systems.

At TRX Electronics, we understand that implementing embedded encryption shouldn't compromise system performance or complicate integration processes. Our extensive catalogue of security components includes cryptographic processors, secure microcontrollers, and specialised encryption modules designed specifically for industrial applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between software and hardware-based encryption in manufacturing?

Software-based encryption relies on the main processor and can be vulnerable to malware attacks or system compromises. Hardware-based encryption uses dedicated security chips that provide tamper-resistant protection and maintain security even if the main system is compromised. For manufacturing environments, hardware-based solutions offer superior protection against sophisticated attacks.

How does embedded encryption impact system performance?

Modern embedded encryption solutions are designed to minimise performance impact through dedicated cryptographic processors and optimised algorithms. While there is some computational overhead, properly implemented solutions can provide comprehensive security protection with minimal impact on system operations.

Can embedded encryption protect against supply chain attacks?

Yes, embedded encryption helps create secure communication channels and device authentication protocols that can detect and prevent unauthorised access through compromised supply chain partners. By implementing strong device identity verification and encrypted communications, manufacturers can maintain security even when working with third-party suppliers and systems.

Building a Secure Manufacturing Future

The manufacturing sector's digital transformation brings unprecedented opportunities for efficiency and innovation, but it also creates new security challenges that demand comprehensive protection strategies. Embedded encryption provides the foundation for secure operations in an increasingly connected world.

The investment in proper embedded security pays dividends through reduced downtime, protected intellectual property, and maintained customer trust. As cyber threats continue to evolve, manufacturers who implement robust embedded encryption today will be better positioned to thrive in tomorrow's digital manufacturing landscape.

With 27 years of experience in electronic component distribution, TRX Electronics provides the security components and expertise necessary to protect your manufacturing operations. Our partnerships with leading security manufacturers ensure access to the latest embedded encryption technologies, backed by our commitment to prompt delivery and expert technical support.

Ready to strengthen your manufacturing security with embedded encryption solutions? Contact TRX Electronics today at 086 111 2844 or visit us at 697 Jacques St, Moreleta Park, Pretoria. Let's work together to build a more secure manufacturing future.