Co-operation in improving OT cybersecurity.

A collaboration to help strengthen OT cybersecurity across critical infrastructure has been announced between the International Society of Automation (ISA) and the Operational Technology Cybersecurity Coalition (OTCC).

The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on initiatives that raise awareness of OT cybersecurity risks and solutions, explore strategic issues of shared interest and facilitate technical engagement between members of each organisation. The goal is to encourage better implementation and recognition of foundational cybersecurity standards like ISA/IEC 62443, the globally recognised consensus-based series of OT cybersecurity standards developed by ISA.

ISA's CEO, Claire Fallon

“Protecting critical infrastructure requires sustained collaboration, practical guidance and a shared commitment to standards-based cybersecurity,” said Claire Fallon, CEO of ISA. “This partnership creates an important framework for ISA and OTCC to help advance key OT cybersecurity practices.”

"ISA and OTCC come at OT cybersecurity from different angles — ISA through the standards that define good practice, OTCC through the companies putting them to work," said Tatyana Bolton, executive director of OTCC. "Bringing those perspectives together is how standards move from paper into practice, and we look forward to working with ISA to make that happen.”

OTCC recently published a position paper advocating for a single, horizontal standard for OT cybersecurity rather than a patchwork of sector-specific mandates. The paper recommends that ISA/IEC 62443 be recognized as the global OT security standard. It names ISA/IEC 62443 as an established framework uniquely situated to harmonize around, as this standard has been specifically tailored to meet the requirements of OT. With one interoperable OT cybersecurity standard such as ISA/IEC 62443, the OTCC paper argues, the burden of adhering to duplicative standards can be reduced, helping to ensure critical infrastructure and industrial operations stay resilient everywhere.

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@ISA_Automation  @automation_com @OT_Coalition #Cybersecurity #PAuto

Responsible dissolution.

Manufacturing with IT assets protected.

MESA International has served as a trusted global community advancing the use of manufacturing technology through collaboration, education, and best practices for over three decades. In 1992, a group of manufacturing technology luminaries gathered to form a membership society, and MESA members have been delivering excellence around what is now known as smart manufacturing ever since! The relationships built, the knowledge shared, and the progress made through this community represent a legacy the organisation is deeply proud of.  However, with great respect for that legacy that the MESA International Board of Directors has voted to dissolve the organisation effective June 30, 2026.  

This was not a decision made lightly. After careful review of the organisation's financial position and operational capacity, the board determined that voluntary dissolution is the responsible and appropriate path forward. We want to be transparent with the broader manufacturing community that has followed and engaged with MESA's work over the years.  

What happens to the resources?
The International Society of Automation (ISA) has agreed to serve as the new home for MESA's assets and content*. ISA is a global 501c(3) organisation whose standards, including ISA-95 and ISA-88, form the technical foundation of much of MESA's educational work. MESA's content, resources, and community programs will be accessible through ISA going forward.  The board thanked all those who have engaged with MESA International over the years. "This community has made a real difference in manufacturing operations around the world," their spokesperson concluded.  

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*See ISA Release: ISA Announces Assumption of MESA International Educational Programs and Content. (30/6/2026) 

@MESAp2e @ISA_Automation @automation_com #Pauto #Research

Importance of training in IT/OT skills.

As businesses break down the silos between information technology and operational technology, the need for professionals who can bridge these disciplines grows ever more critical. Yet, there is a growing gap between the skills demanded by IT/OT convergence and the education provided by traditional academic curricula. 

 

“The most important skill professionals can develop today is learning to leverage technology to transform their work,” advises Jan-Henrik Svensson, CEO of Beamex in his recent analysis of the issue.

Professionals must equip themselves with hybrid skill sets that include technological fluency, cybersecurity awareness, and data analytics. This skills shortage threatens to slow digital transformation across industries.

“Waiting for academic institutions to catch up is not an option,” stresses Svensson. “Professionals and organisations must invest in proactive training and strategic upskilling initiatives to ensure they remain competitive.”

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@BeamexGlobal #PAuto  #TandM #Training

Modernising IT and OT operations.

Centralising endpoint management and embracing industrial automation platforms for enhanced security and efficiency.

Stratodesk has announced its expansion in the Industrial Automation market, modernizing the landscape of IT and OT endpoint management. The launch of Stratodesk’s Industrial OT program, combines expertise in endpoint OS security and management solutions with partners in IT/OT hardware, industrial automation software, and more, creating powerful, customized solutions for customers in the industrial sector.

Emanuel Pirkir

"We’re expanding our IIoT footprint, bringing the proven security and flexibility of NoTouch OS to the world of industrial automation,” said Emanuel Pirker, Founder and CEO of Stratodesk. “We are enabling organizations to modernize their operations, reduce endpoint management complexity, and enhance security across industrial control systems—without disrupting mission-critical processes.”

Building on their success in the end-user computing market, Stratodesk is leveraging its secure, thin “NoTouch OS” operating system to address the unique challenges in OT environments. This expansion allows Stratodesk to offer a comprehensive solution that bridges the gap between IT and OT, enabling seamless management of diverse endpoints across factory floors, energy plants, loading stations, and other industrial settings.

The move comes at a critical time for the industrial and manufacturing sectors, when organizations are increasingly seeking to digitally transform their operations and enhance security, often looking for ways to remove Windows OS from the production floor. Stratodesk’s NoTouch Industrial IoT solution addresses cybersecurity concerns, integration complexities, and the need for scalable architectures. By providing a secure, Linux-based operating system capable of managing MES, automation software, as well as VDI and IoT endpoints, Stratodesk offers industrial organizations the ability to configure HMI device connections, protocols, and data paths while maintaining robust security measures.

“We are excited to work closer with Stratodesk to make it easy to run Ignition on NoTouch OS,” said Travis Cox, Chief Technology Evangelist at Inductive Automation. “As customers embark on their digital transformation journey, they need an easy way to deploy Ignition and Ignition Edge in the field at scale securely where updates are seamless, and everything can be managed by a central team.”

“Stratodesk NoTouch OS on Cybernet’s industrial computers enables customers to achieve unprecedented levels of security, efficiency, and centralized management across their industrial IoT deployments,” said Jae Yun, Director of Global Product Management. “Together we’re upgrading customer endpoint environments in the industrial sector.”

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@stratodesk #PAuto #IT_OT

Boosting efficiency and productivity for fleets of field instrumentation.

Upgrade to help future-proof industrial operations

ABB Ability™ Field Information Manager (FIM 3.0) has been upgraded to offer system engineers and maintenance teams increased connectivity and extended reach across the latest communication protocols. The result is enhanced operational efficiency thanks to the digital solution enabling faster, more intuitive configuration, commissioning, diagnostics and maintenance of devices.

Providing heightened performance and diagnostic data collection of fleets of devices, the latest version of FIM 3.0 leverages OPC UA and PA-DIM to transport data from field devices to cloud-based condition monitoring solutions. In doing so it helps customers achieve smarter maintenance and enhances their engineering efficiency. New asset management capabilities which include increased device condition monitoring pave the way to predictive maintenance.

“In the era of Industry 4.0, ABB Ability Field Information Manager empowers businesses to embrace digital transformation, ensuring flexibility, efficiency, and competitiveness across their fleet of devices,” said Stefan Basenach, Head of Process Control Platform, ABB. “With its future-proof capabilities, it helps customers enhance operational efficiency while remaining relevant as industry standards evolve”.

The enhanced FIM 3.0 software serves as the bridge between IT and OT to enable data-driven decision making. Offering a wider range of connectivity options for ASi-5, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, HART IP, and HART, FIM 3.0 fits into any existing system landscape for increased plant agility. Strengthened Ethernet-APL support ensures market relevance well into the future.

Their Ability™ Edgenius™ Operations Data Manager further extends FIM 3.0 capabilities by enabling the collection and management of data from OPC UA making valuable information accessible for edge and cloud-based applications. Offering advanced fleet management capabilities, simplifying the monitoring and maintenance of field devices across multiple locations.

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@ABBgroupnews @abbindustryserv @abb_automation @admiralpr #PAuto #Fieldbus

What About Your Industrial Network Infrastructure?

Industries are transforming muses Ethan Chen, Product Manager with Moxa but how complete is that transformation or how integrated?

Recent global events have made digitalization an urgent and compelling goal. Most companies, regardless of industry, are beginning to realize that digital transformation is imperative to avoid falling behind and becoming uncompetitive. We are seeing more and more industries speeding up innovation. Yet, many businesses are unable to successfully transform and futureproof their operations. One of the most common reasons is the misconception that digital transformation is just a matter of deploying new technologies or buying newer equipment.

Digital transformation is more than new technology.
When only focusing on adding new technologies, companies will likely be unable to tap into their full potential despite the huge amounts of resources invested into the project. Achieving digital transformation for industrial applications not only involves introducing new technologies, but also seamlessly integrating all the systems on the network. A smooth-running and fully integrated infrastructure is the foundation that enables newly added technologies to work in harmony with existing systems to enhance industrial operations.

Among industry leaders, IT/OT convergence has gained a lot of ground as the best-practice method to integrate new systems and create value. According to IDC’s IT/OT convergence survey¹, more than 30% of organizations are planning to integrate operational data from systems such as data historian software, industrial control systems, and asset management into their enterprise data governance model for the first time.

When operational technology (OT) data is accessible to information technology (IT), it can be converted into a valuable asset and increase organizational agility. Therefore, seamless transmission of OT data between application endpoints, control centers, and corporate headquarters is essential for merging IT and OT systems and making sure newly added technologies work flawlessly. This explains why enhanced, robust industrial networks are an indispensable part of any successful digital transformation.

Industrial networks need to take a leap forward. The rapid growth of IT/OT converged applications has led to more diverse and real-time data as well as larger volumes of OT data. The complexity of industrial network infrastructure has also grown significantly. As a result, it becomes increasingly more difficult to maintain the network’s reliability, which determines the stability of machine-to-machine and machine-to-control center communications which, in turn, ensure continuous operations.

For the longest time, maintenance engineers were only concerned with whether the indicators on the network equipment were flashing green. Today, things are no longer that simple. As data is becoming the catalyst for future innovation, ensuring that data is delivered to the right place at the right time is critical. It’s the job of futureproof networks to make that possible. Therefore, businesses should instead direct their attention to functional reliability. That is, to meet future needs, businesses should not only focus on stable network connectivity, but also design their network to support seamless OT data connectivity.

To build an industrial network for the future, you need the help of an expert Transitioning industrial networks in this new direction is not easy and is unfamiliar territory for most OT engineers. Shifting towards a future industrial networking model comes with its own set of challenges and hurdles, including:

• The integration of OT and IT systems exposes traditionally isolated OT networks to outside threats. Cybersecurity attacks in the OT field have also soared in recent years.
• Expanding network connections have greatly increased the complexity of management. It’s impossible to rely on old tried-and-tested methods to manage hundreds and thousands of network devices efficiently.
• Successful digital transformation relies on the ability to ensure uninterrupted operations. Maintaining system reliability while implementing digitalization can be challenging.
• Industrial networks typically undergo minimal change from year to year. Considering long-term future usability when designing the network is important.

To help businesses overcome these hurdles and ensure a smooth transformation of their industrial networks, we offer some suggestions. We recommend choosing reliable hardware and software that can support the seamless data transmission and integration needs to sustain continuous operations. Additionally, dedicated OT network security is an essential building block that shouldn’t be overlooked in order to protect OT networks from cyberthreats and maximize system availability. Lastly, businesses should prioritize intuitive software to simplify management and reduce the workload on OT engineers. This allows for complex systems across the network to be more easily monitored and maintained. By combining the capabilities of network and data connectivity, businesses can incorporate intelligent functionality such as remote control commands and incident response mechanisms into their operations, and prepare for the needs of future OT applications.

With more than 35 years of industry experience and a deep understanding of OT networks, Moxa is committed to helping industrial networks take the leap towards the new generation of networking. Our futureproof networking solutions are designed to help businesses seamlessly merge their IT and OT systems and prepare them for transitioning to a digitalized future.With an expert like Moxa, businesses can worry less about their industrial networks and focus on fully embracing digital transformation so they can leverage these digital innovations to boost performance and set themselves apart from the competition.

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¹ IDC, Worldwide IT/OT Convergence Survey Findings, 2020

@MoxaInc @OConnellPR  #PAuto #Manufacturing #Digitalisation

Device configuration environment software.

FDT Group's PACTware consortium has released its latest software version, PACTware 6.1, based on the latest FDT3 standard. PACTware 6.1 is one of the first FDT3 stand-alone device configuration environments available. The software tool’s source code is available to the PACTware Consortium membership consisting of 22 automation vendors who offer the FDT-enabled hosting product to the user community at no cost. 

By leveraging the modern FDT3 Unified Environment for intelligent device management, PACTware 6.1 users will enjoy the ability to support their current FDT DTM install base and support modern FDT3 web-based DTMs that are scalable for IIoT architectures. This release also supports integration with FDI Device Packages.

Suppliers of industrial automation systems and devices want to provide solutions that enable the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). To meet their customers’ needs, it is vital for suppliers to enhance their system and device offerings with standards-based, platform-independent, information-driven business models. The new FDT3 standard is accelerating the digital manufacturing journey by enabling an ecosystem of FDT-based solutions providing a unified environment for industrial device management with IT/OT data-driven operations.

“Upgrading to FDT3 is a critical step to serve the best interest of the broad automation market and diverse membership looking for next generation intelligent device management solutions.” States Holger Sack, chairman of the board for PACTware consortium. “The updated PACTware 6.1 application empowers users with the flexibility to deploy their choice of device data model that now supports both FDI and FDT3 DTMs with a simple and recognizable tool to configure a wide range of field components, independent of the manufacturer or protocol deployed. This minimizes the amount of work involved, ensures application safety, and reduces training requirements.”

In addition to the new FDT3 standard that fully describes the FDT Desktop environment and FDT web-based device DTM, the standard also defines a cloud-based FDT Server environment for distributed control. The new FDT3 DTM and FDT Server are OPC UA- and -mobile ready without any coding, allowing users an easy to use and scalable migration path of OT data to IT enterprise applications.

“The PACTware consortium is a leader for products based on the FDT standard. The solution is widely deployed today as the most popular FDT Desktop point-to-point application simplifying configuration, operation, and maintenance practices,” observes Steve Biegacki, FDT Group managing director. “By supporting FDT3, PACTware 6.1 future proofs its platform and expands integration capabilities while supporting the millions of device DTMs in service today. Additionally, it creates a path for the FDT Server environment providing workforce mobility solutions, as well as data harmonization for enterprise-wide applications. This is a huge win for the industry."

@FDTGroup #PAuto 

Smart factory inaugurated.

DFI's new facility in Taoyuan (Taiwan) introduces multiple automated equipment. In addition to efficiency and precision, it features more rigorous manufacturing and inspection processes. Control of the manufacturing process has been enhanced, with output increasing by 30%, material mastery reaching 99.9%, and FPYR (First Pass Yield Rate) reaching 99.6%.

The global pandemic and severe labor and material shortages have recently plagued the international supply chain. Corporate automation and smart production have become keys to increasing future competitiveness. DFI has transformed the Taoyuan plant into a high-efficiency, high-quality, and high-material management smart factory by introducing new automation equipment.

Michael Lee, Vice Chairman of DFI, stated, "a wave of new infrastructure and IoT has swept the global industry in recent years. DFI has accumulated great expertise in the embedded field. We can help customers accelerate their integration of IT and OT to improve the deployment of smart functions to respond to the rapidly changing industrial environment. We will actively face the various impacts of the post-pandemic era and economic changes."

Alexander Su, President of DFI, further shared the company's management approach. "With the trend of corporate digital transformations, DFI will implement comprehensive production and quality management through the three operating strategies of 'smart new factory,' 'AIoT product lines,' and 'flexible and stable supply chain deployment.' We will provide integrated solutions and realize exceptional product performance and stable supply services to create maximum customer value."

The New Plant is the Face of Smartification

• Efficiency: DFI has expanded SMT production to 6 lines and has integrated high-efficiency AS/RS unmanned vehicles with an automated smart warehouse system. Results include improved material turnover efficiency by 20% and output by 30%.

• Accuracy: An automated X-ray component counter was introduced to accurately count and calculate the number of parts after mounting. The smart feeder provides two pathways of smart confirmation. A production traceability system provides complete material and product traceability, increasing mastery of materials and parts to 99.9%.

• Product quality: The correctness of finished parts and production quality is ensured by 2D & 3D automated optical inspection (Pre-reflow AOI/Post-reflow AOI) and X-ray inspection. A wide temperature burn-in chamber conducts aging testing according to customer needs. It can satisfy the tolerability required by various key applications, with an FPYR of 99.6%.

Creating ultra-small products and high flexibility, high stability supply chains.
In recent years, DFI has actively invested in the research and development of ultra-small motherboards and fully invested in developing Edge AI related products. We have expanded the deployment of vertical applications, such as industrial automation, Internet of Vehicles, and medical solutions. The supply of high-quality products requires a firm yet flexible supply chain for support. DFI has created a stable supply chain by enhancing smart production management capabilities.

This mart factory has successfully integrated the IT and OT systems. The production line's efficiency, accuracy, and quality have been enhanced. Hybrid cloud architecture has been established, and the connectivity and correctness of the information system has been improved. Sufficient production capacity and strong performance will drive the company's implementation of OT smart transformations.

 @DFI_Embedded @mepaxIntPR #Taiwan #PAuto 

Field to cloud data harmonization.

Device, system, and end users now benefit from an embedded unified environment unlocking universal device management, IT/OT convergence, data analytics, services, and mobility

The FDT Unified Environment (UE), and developer tools have been introduced by the FDT Group™. This is based on the new FDT 3.0* standard to deliver next-generation FDT industrial device management system and device solutions for field-to-cloud IT/OT data harmonization, analytics, services, and mobility based on user-driven requirements for smart manufacturing in the process, hybrid, and discrete markets.

Driven by digital transformation use cases to support new Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) business models, the standard has evolved to include a new distributed, multi-user, FDT Server application that includes built-in and pre-wired OPC UA and Web servers enabling an FDT Unified Environment (FDT 3.x) merging IT/OT data analytics supporting service-oriented architectures. The new Server environment deployable in the cloud or on-premise delivers the same use cases and functionally as the previous generation FDT hosting environment, but now provides data storage for the whole device lifecycle at the core of the architecture allowing information modeling and data consistency to authenticated OPC UA and browser-based clients (tablets and phones) for modern accessibility to address the challenges of IIoT.

“Collaboration and data harmonization are the keys to manufacturing modernization,” said Steve Biegacki, managing director, FDT Group. "FDT UE delivers a data collaborative engineering specification and toolset to enable modern distributed control improving operations and production reliability, impacting the bottom line for new IIoT architectures. I'm proud to witness our first group of members showcasing their FDT 3.0 WebUI-based DTM prototypes mixed with 2.0 DTMs in the new Server and Desktop environments running IO-Link and HART here at Hannover Messe live and in person. To be present as a guest in the OPC Foundation booth to demonstrate field-to-cloud connectivity, OPC UA enterprise access and services along with mobile field device operation is one for industry history books. I especially want to thank Thomas Hadlich, FDT architecture and specification chairman, for leading the first FDT UE demo project; along with our front runner member companies for participating - Flowserve, Krohne, Omron, Magnetrol, Thorsis, CodeWrights, VEGA, Rockwell Automation, Turck, PACTware and M&M Software.”

FDT UE consists of FDT Server, FDT Desktop, and FDT DTM components. System and device suppliers can take a well-established standard they are familiar with and easily create and customize standards-based, data-centric, cross-platform FDT 3.0 solutions—expanding their portfolio offerings to meet requirements for next-generation industrial control applications. Each solution auto-enables OPC UA integration and allows the development team to focus on value-added features that differentiate their products, including WebUI and App support. FDT Desktop applications are fully backward compatible supporting the existing install base.

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*FDT 3.0 specification license agreements and developer toolkits are now available on the FDT website.

@FDTGroup #PAuto #Standard #IT/OT #HM22