With sensitive intellectual property (IP), global supplier networks and growing reliance on connected technologies, the aerospace and defense industry has become a prime target for cyberattacks. In fact, the average cost of a data breach reached a record $4.45 million in 2023, according to IBM’s annual Cost of a Data Breach Report. This represents a 15.3% jump since 2020. For aerospace manufacturers, the stakes are especially high.
Aerospace manufacturing environments often involve a complex web of suppliers, contractors, and both legacy and modern technologies. This includes a mix of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems — each with different security needs and vulnerabilities. The increasing adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies adds further layers of risk.
These evolving threats demand proactive, multi-layered defenses. Just how are aerospace manufacturers expected to implement secure methods for data sharing and collection? Essentially, the necessary cybersecurity solution begins by taking two key steps.
Step 1: Appoint a Cybersecurity Champion
Effective cybersecurity implementation starts with leadership. Aerospace manufacturers should appoint a dedicated cybersecurity project manager or engage a knowledgeable systems integrator. This individual or team must oversee the design, rollout and management of security solutions.
Organizations can also choose to partner with trusted vendors that offer secure IT systems to safeguard IP. These systems often connect to the Cloud via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and operate on independent networks that push data outward without exposing machines on the factory floor to inbound traffic. Whether you appoint someone on your staff or you work with a trusted third-party vendor, it’s essential to have professionals who specialize in industrial cybersecurity guiding the effort.
Step 2: Standardize with MTConnect
Regardless of the ERP system or machine tool brands a manufacturer uses, establishing a standardized communication framework is critical. Before introducing advanced cybersecurity measures, ensure that all equipment and systems are MTConnect-compliant. Developed by the MTConnect Institute, a not-for-profit standards development organization supported by AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology, MTConnect is like a universal translator that enables interoperability across a wide range of machine tools and software. The non-proprietary, royalty-free standard provides a secure, consistent foundation for safe data collection and exchange.
Once the foundation is in place, manufacturers need to determine where their data is headed. Understanding data directionality helps identify the right industrial protocols and compatible third-party software to use for collection and sharing. It also ensures that systems remain scalable as the business evolves — a crucial consideration in an industry where innovation moves fast.
SmartBox: A Cybersecurity Solution at the Machine Level
On the shop floor, Mazak’s Smart- Box technology provides a robust defense against cyber threats while enabling advanced data monitoring and analysis. Designed to securely connect machines and devices to a network, the SmartBox acts as a protective barrier that isolates machines, blocks unauthorized access, and allows only readonly data collection.
Key features of the SmartBox include:
- Network isolation: Prevents unauthorized access to and from connected equipment.
- No direct cabinet connection: Mounts externally without interfering with machine electronics.
- Plug-and-play connectivity: Easily integrates with off-the-shelf sensors.
- Multi-machine support: One unit can serve multiple machines and other production assets.
This approach satisfies stringent IT department requirements, especially when connecting legacy equipment to modern data systems via MTConnect. It also eliminates risky workarounds, such as using USB drives on the shop floor to transfer part programs.
Mazak is further advancing its SmartBox technology with the launch of SmartBox 2.0. This new version includes two managed network switches, a fieldbus coupler I/O module with Node-RED for interfacing, the capability to host up to 10 machines, as well as an onboard industrial PC for computing at the edge. These improvements give aerospace manufacturers more flexibility and control while maintaining strict security standards.
As cyberattacks grow more frequent and sophisticated, manufacturers and suppliers in the aerospace sector must implement strong defenses to prevent malicious software from infecting machines, stealing proprietary data or halting production.
Cybersecurity is no longer optional — it’s foundational. As aerospace operations continue integrating IIoT and connectivity, cybersecurity is as critically important to the security of the entire business as the locks on the doors of your facilities. Cybersecurity protects both the intellectual property and the processes that drive innovation and excellence in aerospace manufacturing.
Related Glossary Terms
- web
web
On a rotating tool, the portion of the tool body that joins the lands. Web is thicker at the shank end, relative to the point end, providing maximum torsional strength.
