Howard Forryan argues the case for the use of Ex connectors, in place of hard-wired solutions, in hazardous areas.

Derek Lane, automation manager at WAGO, explains how IT and OT convergence can help protect against cyber threats.

Dr Martin Kidman looks at safety laser scanner technologies which are a vital component of AGVs.

Arguably, information is the most powerful tool in manufacturing today, with data being made available from the component to enterprise level and converted into information-enabled management tools. But, what effect is this having on machine safety?

Increasing connectivity of machines and equipment is offering manufacturers competitive advantage by producing goods more efficiently. However, the only way that Industry 4.0 can succeed is when IT and OT collaborate on an overarching security approach, argues Anja Dienelt.

Factory and process automation are now reaching new levels of integration which opens the way to considerably higher degrees of efficiency, process control and flexibility. However, it also calls for increased security to protect the whole factory from malware and unauthorised intrusion, says Maximillian Korff.

Connectivity is often seen as a significant challenge to plant security, and in the new era of IIoT it is vital that security considerations are prioritised. Suzanne Gill reports.

Factory and process automation are now reaching new levels of integration which opens the way to considerably higher degrees of efficiency, process control and flexibility. However, it also calls for increased security to protect the whole factory from malware and unauthorised intrusion, says Maximillian Korff.

Control Engineering Europe looks at the importance of international standards when it comes to the specification of protection devices on machinery.

Dr Martin Killeen outlines the requirements of the international Repair, Overhaul and Reclamation of Hazardous Area Equipment standard IEC 60079-19, and highlights how it impacts both service providers and end users.

The interconnection of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) is a source of new opportunities and challenges. With increasingly automated and robotic supply chains, manufacturing and engineering companies are becoming more connected, but this exposure to external data flows inevitably leads to new risks, says Robert Wakim.

Learning from your mistakes can be expensive in the processing industry. Implementing a Functional Safety Management system allows failures to be anticipated and avoided.

There is a need to understand the interaction between safety and security in production processes, says Dr Alexander Horch.

Barak Perelman highlights the numerous risks facing industrial control systems today. He argues that real-time visibility is key to better security.

In the last decade, updated safety standards have made it possible for electronic safety functions to be built directly into the drives which control motor and machinery movements in industrial processes. Mikko Ristolainen explains how this approach simplifies things for designers and machine builders, while also providing higher overall safety and protection levels.

Paul Taylor explains what is required to ensure compliance with the recently introduced Electromagnetic Work regulations.

Control Engineering Europe finds out more about the creation of unique control panels which are suited to use within hazardous environments.

There are ways for companies to get an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) project initiated while overcoming security challenges, but that requires a culture change and a different mindset, says Eric Byres.

Mark Shannon explains why food manufacturers need to be taking dust explosion risks seriously.

Mastering the increasingly complex explosion protection technologies requires expert knowledge, which is leading to increasing reliance on single source solutions, according to Thomas Kasten.