Automation Chat

How to Maintain Business Continuity with IT/OT Synergies in Your Cybersecurity Strategy

In this episode of our “Automation Chat” podcast from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, Executive Editor Theresa Houck chats with Brian Deken, North America Commercial Manager of Networks & Cybersecurity Services at Rockwell Automation. They talk about cybersecurity challenges and outcomes manufacturers are trying to achieve and how to attain them.

Also learn why it’s vital to do cybersecurity assessments in real time and why you can’t integrate and optimize an IT tool for an OT environment. And see how Rockwell Automation provides IT/OT synergies through its partner ecosystem and uses the NIST-based approach to help manufacturers to focus resources for cybersecurity.

And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources from this episode:

• Cybersecurity Preparedness Assessment.
• Rockwell Automation Industrial Cybersecurity Solutions.
• Blog: Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (includes NIST explanation).
• Subscribe to The Journal’s 4 print magazines (Feb., May, July and Oct.) by e-mailing Anna Hicks at ahicks@endeavorbusinessmedia.com.
• Subscribe to our 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

You can also watch their discussion on YouTube at https://youtu.be/8NtR7oHzhhY.

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

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** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence.

Manufacturing & Industrial Automation News Report, July 9, 2024, from Automation Chat

In this episode of “Automation Chat," Executive Editor Theresa Houck highlights news in industrial automation and manufacturing. Learn about the NIST Cybersecurity Framework2.0; a new GenAI prescriptive maintenance work-order software; research about digital services and about global supply-chain conditions; Endress+Hauser’s new Pennsylvania facility; Rockwell Automation plans for an India facility; and a BionicBee!

As always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources from this episode:

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0.
• Learn about the Fiix Asset Risk Predictor Software with GenAI prescriptive maintenance work orders.
• Learn more about the ARC Advisory Group Digital Services Study.
• Download The Journal’s 2024 "CPG Automation" eHandbook.
• Watch video of the Festo Corp.’s
• Watch video of the Festo Corp.’s BionicBee in flight.
• To subscribe to our 4 print magazines (Feb., May, July and Oct.), e-mail Anna Hicks at ahicks@endeavorbusinessmedia.com.
• Subscribe to our 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

Please leave us a 5-star rating and a review — we appreciate it.

“Automation Chat" is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence.

What’s Coming Up in The Journal: July 2024 Issue

In this episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck tells you what topics we’re covering in the next edition of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine — our July 2024 issue. Our print magazine mails July 16, and our digital issue launches July 31 by email. Learn about upcoming stories on:

• Using automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning to get past the smart-technology implementation phase.
• How automotive OEMs are increasing cybersecurity in smart vehicles.
• How connecting digital technologies into a digital thread helps create a faster, more resilient business for automotive manufacturers.
• How a consumer packaged goods firm uses packaging robotics with open mechanics and unified control to create an autonomous system that can perform complex tasks.
• Why OT cybersecurity is a vital business strategy.

And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources:

• To subscribe to our 4 print magazines (Feb., May, July and Oct.), e-mail Anna Hicks at ahicks@endeavorbusinessmedia.com.
• Subscribe to our 4 digital magazines by visiting http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating and a review.

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Find us on LinkedIn.

Find us on Facebook.

Find us on X (Twitter).

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence.

How Edge Computing Simplifies & Enhances AI-Based Cybersecurity in IT & OT

As advancements in cybersecurity have improved detection and response capabilities, managing the immense amounts of data required by AI-based cyber solutions remains a challenge. So, in this episode, we chat about how edge computing can enhance cybersecurity. Executive Editor Theresa Houck is joined by Valerie Schneider, Business Development Manager and Mike Wurster, Director of Strategic Alliances with Stratus Technologies to discuss:

• The biggest cyberthreats facing manufacturers and producers.
• How industrial firms can deal with these cyberthreats.
• How artificial intelligence can be integrated with existing OT security technologies & processes to provide a comprehensive Defense-in-Depth strategy.
• How AI can enhance threat detection & response in OT environments.
• Best practices for improving cybersecurity.
• How edge computing & virtualization let users consolidate multiple applications on a single platform, allowing cybersecurity protocols to integrate with applications like HMI, SCADA, MES and batching.
• How to balance security measures with usability & productivity.
• Steps for improving OT cybersecurity without significant investment or disruption to operations.

You can also watch their discussion on YouTube at https://youtu.be/0kQ1c3z36MM.

Resources from this episode:

• Stratus & Rockwell Automation Partnership: “Together, Simplifying Edge Computing for the Connected Enterprise.”
• Analyst Brief: “Virtualization with Stratus Zero-Touch Computing Platforms.”
• White Paper: “Edge Computing Bridges IT and OT People, Process, and Technology.”
• Email Valerie Schneider valerie.schneider@stratus.com.
• Email Mike Wurster at mike.wurster@stratus.com.

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Find us on LinkedIn.

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Find us on X (Twitter).

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence.

8 Accidental Discoveries that Advanced the Chemical Industry: Guest Episode

In this episode, we’re sharing a guest episode from the “Chemical Processing Distilled” podcast from our sister publication Chemical Processing, hosted by its Editor-in-Chief Traci Purdum. She describes eight happy and fascinating accidents that ended up having profound effects on the chemical industry and on humanity. Even if you’re not in the chemical industry, you’ll enjoy this look at unintended discoveries that changed the world.

If you work in the chemical industry, you’ll want to subscribe to “Chemical Processing Distilled” on your favorite podcast app. This is one of the best podcasts for this industry — it’s educational and interesting, and I look forward to it coming out every week.

And as always with each “Automation Chat" episode, The Journal’s Executive Editor Theresa Houck shares a family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources from this episode:

• Visit Chemical Processing magazine online at www.chemicalprocessing.com.
• Subscribe to The Journal’s 4 print magazines (Feb., May, July and Oct.) by e-mailing Anna Hicks at ahicks@endeavorbusinessmedia.com.
• Subscribe to The Journal’s 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine. Please subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating and review.

Find us on LinkedIn.

Find us on Facebook.

Find us on X (Twitter).

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence.

Special Announcement: Webinars on Industrial Gateways, Harmonic Disturbances

In this special episode, The Journal’s Executive Editor Theresa Houck announces two upcoming webinars she’s moderating in the next couple of weeks. If you can’t attend the live event, they’ll be available on demand afterwards.

“Industrial Gateways – Bridging the Communication Gap” will explain industrial communication protocols and challenges of needing different systems to interact harmoniously. “Mitigating Harmonic Disturbances for Better Electrical System Performance” will explain how to prevent energy loss & equipment downtime, boosting performance and saving costs.

Here are links to learn more and register for these webinars:

• “Industrial Gateways – Bridging the Communication Gap.” June 12, 2024, 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT. / 3 p.m. GMT. Register: https://rebrand.ly/psc612tj
• “Mitigating Harmonic Disturbances for Better Electrical System Performance.” June 18, 2024, 1 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. GMT. Register: https://rebrand.ly/phps618

“Automation Chat” is Brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence.

Solution Spotlight: SmartSights’ Analytics, Reporting & Notification Help Boost Performance

In this episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck talks with Greg Jackson, COO of SmartSights. Greg explains how WIN-911 Software acquired SyTech and rebranded the company as SmartSights, and what that means for its offering of analytics, reporting and notification solutions. Learn how the larger team allows the company to support a broader solutions portfolio and a full ecosystem, a larger R&D budget and its combined 3-in-1 solution.

Also see how these solutions help manufacturers with challenges like industrial data overload and the worker shortage, so users can view operations and get real-time information to make decisions and improve performance.

And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources from this episode:

• Video: How SmartSights Elevates Rockwell Automation Software.
  • On-Demand Webinar: SmartSights WIN-911 Mobile for Notification & Process Insights.
• SmartSights SmartBundle Web Page: WIN-911 + XLReporter.
• Subscribe to our 4 print magazines (Feb., May, July and Oct.) by e-mailing Anna Hicks at ahicks@endeavorbusinessmedia.com.
• Subscribe to our 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.
  
  

You can also watch Theresa & Greg’s conversation on YouTube at https://youtu.be/9yuB7yoX9Fc. 

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Find us on LinkedIn.

Find us on Facebook.

Find us on X (Twitter).

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence.

Automation Chat News Update, May 2024

In this episode of “Automation Chat," Executive Editor Theresa Houck highlights news in industrial automation and manufacturing. Learn about new research on IT spending growth, enterprise adoption of GenAI, and an increase in both manufacturing jobs and facilities and how companies are dealing with the worker shortage.

You’ll also get news on:

• How the EPA’s Clean Air Act air-monitoring ruling will affect chemical processing companies, and implications of the EPA’s ban on methylene chloride.
• Unilever Ice Cream’s $21 million awarded to reduce carbon emissions.
• How marketing pros plan to protect their social-media brands from deceptive GenAI practices.
• How students and young professionals can win $1,000 from the IEC.

As always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources from this episode:

• Download the MIT Technology Review Insights report, “The Great Acceleration: CIO Perspectives on Generative AI.”
• Read results of the “2024 Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute Talent Study.”
• Learn about and enter the IEC U.S. National Committee Don Heirman Award Program.
• To subscribe to our 4 print magazines (Feb., May, July and Oct.), e-mail Anna Hicks at ahicks@endeavorbusinessmedia.com.
• Subscribe to our 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

Please leave us a 5-star rating and a review — we appreciate it.

“Automation Chat" is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence.

The Basics of Industrial Gateways

In this episode, The Journal’s Executive Editor Theresa Houck brings the written word to life by reading the article, “The Basics of Industrial Gateways,” from Spectrum Controls. You’ll get a quick tutorial on gateways and the types of common industrial communication protocols, and how they can be used in mixed-protocol environments. 

Resources from this episode:

• Read the article online: “The Basics of Industrial Gateways.”
• Download the Spectrum Controls white paper, “Industrial Gateways: Bridging the Communications Gap.”
• To subscribe to our 4 print magazines (Feb., May, July and Oct.), e-mail Anna Hicks at ahicks@endeavorbusinessmedia.com.
• Subscribe to our 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

Please give us a 5-star rating and write a review — it helps us, and we really appreciate it.

Brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Find us on LinkedIn.

Find us on Facebook.

Find us on X (Twitter).

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence.

What’s Coming Up in The Journal: May 2024 Issue

In this brief episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck tells you what topics we’re covering in the next edition of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine — our May issue. Our print magazine mails May 14, and our digital issue launches May 22. Learn about upcoming stories on:

• Protecting OT systems from aggressive cyberattacks.
• A case study about how a craft brewery switched from bottles to cans.
• The basics of encoders for motion systems.
• The basics of industrial gateways.
• 10 electrical safety mistakes to avoid.

And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources:

• To subscribe to our 4 print magazines (Feb., May July and Oct.), e-mail Anna Hicks at ahicks@endeavorbusinessmedia.com.
• Subscribe to our 4 digital magazines by visiting http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating and a review.

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Find us on LinkedIn.

Find us on Facebook.

Find us on X (Twitter).

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence.