Cyber Attacks Spread Along Influx of Technology

The use of new and evolving technologies such
as fully integrated enterprise resource planning
(ERP) systems, cloud computing and
connected machine sensor networks, remote access,
and industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity
increased exponentially over the last two years.
While these technologies make manufacturing more
efficient, they also create new exploitable points of
vulnerability, according to the Cybersecurity: Assess
Your Risk white paper from PMMI, The Association
for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

PACK EXPO International will showcase the
latest solutions to keep your business safe. Cybersecurity
will be a key topic of focus at The Forum
during PACK EXPO International 2022, produced
by PMMI (Oct. 23-26; McCormick Place,
Chicago). These free, 45-minute interactive sessions
begin with short presentations by top experts
then move on to roundtable discussions.

“As our industry increases its reliance on digital
technology, it is critical for manufacturers
to improve cybersecurity preparedness and stay
abreast of the latest tools and technologies to protect
their operations,” says Jim Pittas, president
and CEO, PMMI. “With top industry experts and
leading suppliers all under one roof, PACK EXPO
International is the best place to gain the knowledge
and understanding needed to reduce the risk
of a cyberattack on operations.”

According to PMMI’s white paper, in the first
quarter of 2020, attacks targeting the manufacturing
sector accounted for 11% of all cyberattacks
that occurred across all industries. By the
second quarter of 2020, cyberattacks targeting
manufacturers accounted for 33% of all incidents
across all industries.

This increase in attacks is especially alarming
considering there are real, growing costs to manufacturers
that experience a cyberattack. In 2020,
the average cost of a cyberattack stood at around
$3.86 million, and that is before factoring in ancillary
impacts such as lost opportunity and damaged
customer loyalty.

In addition to cybersecurity solutions and targeted
thought-leading education sessions, PACK
EXPO International will be the most comprehensive
packaging and processing show in the world in
2022 and this year’s edition will offer attendees
more features than ever before. No other event
this year will showcase entire production line solutions
and offer everything needed to compete in a
changing marketplace. Attendees will experience
2,000+ exhibitors from 40+ vertical industry
markets, over 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit
space, 100+ free education sessions and discover
solutions they didn’t know they were looking for.

With so much growth and change in the industry,
the new features in Chicago are a must-see
for everyone in the industry, including The Processing
Zone, which will integrate front-of-the-line
food and beverage processing solutions with
the packaging advances on display to offer one
convenient location for attendees to solve their
biggest challenges.

The explosion of e-commerce has brought
about the brand-new logistics pavilion where
attendees can find warehousing, fulfillment, distribution,
and transportation solutions.

Workforce remains a top priority for PACK
EXPO, with many opportunities to get students
excited about packaging and processing careers in addition to the prestigious Future Innovators
Robotics Showcase and educational Amazing
Packaging Race programs. Also this year, six
teams will face-off in a brand-new machine building
PACK Challenge competition.

Visit packexpointernational.com to learn more
about the exciting show features, search exhibitors,
and register. Registration for PACK EXPO
International is $30 until Sept. 30, after which it
increases to $130.

Comments are closed.