Safety and security in digital industrial automation systems

Abstract

The manufacturing industry is constantly evolving. This continuous development has brought about change in the way industry works, especially when dealing with the manufacturing systems used. This scenario requires the evaluation of all the typical issues faced in such industry. One of the main challenges experienced during these developments is the adaptation to the latest Safety and Security considerations since the technologies are constantly changing. The ever-growing awareness regarding the importance of safety at the workplace has altered the way in which people address this matter. A logically structured procedure would be able to assist in identifying what could go wrong within a system and eventually establish the possible solutions for these specific burdens. This dissertation presents a procedure which was developed to primarily address the issues of safety and security in Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPSs), otherwise referred to as Digital Automation Systems. This procedure was based on various concepts and frameworks evaluated and refined until the aim of the objectives was fulfilled. What led to this achievement is the examination and the evaluation of the Safety and Security threats which may be faced in today’s modern world. Safety and Security may be achieved through a complete process, which primarily provides an intensive definition of the system in question. After, a hazard and risk analysis is conducted in preparation for the proper classification of the risks which are deemed to be harmful. These risks are addressed by identifying reasonable solutions which are scrutinised several times before being affected. Following the solution development, the implementation stage is initiated. This stage is concerned with the alterations within the existing system together with the introduction of the previously suggested constituents in order to attain the desired level of safety. The project’s objectives include the following; carrying out a literature review on the concepts concerning Safety and Security in Digital Industrial Automated Systems; the structuring of a self-explanatory methodology to be followed; the execution of the previously established methodology within the STRIX 3.0 system at the Department of Industrial Manufacturing Laboratories; and a thorough virtual implementation of the outcomes determined.