Food processing and manufacturing is an important sector where products important to our health and everyday life are churned out. As such, keeping food processing and manufacturing facilities secure is critical.
Food processing and manufacturing is an important sector where products important to our health and everyday life are churned out. As such, keeping food processing and manufacturing facilities secure is critical. This article looks at some of the technologies that can boost food processing/manufacturing security, based on a
webinar under the VSS Tech Talks series by LRG Marketing.
Facial recognition
SAFR cites facial recognition as an ideal access control solution for food processing/manufacturing facilities compared to conventional solutions. Currently most food processing plants rely on badges which have various drawbacks. One example is badge transfer, where the badge holder gives the badge to a family member so they can work on his behalf, while he goes off to work a second job. Further, badges can’t properly address issues such as tailgating and the lack of audit trails. Badges can also be stolen or lost easily.
This is where facial recognition can come in handy. “With this type of access control solution, you have credentials that are non-transferrable. You have credentials where you can audit easily with video because with facial recognition, you're going to have video at the door, which solves a lot of problems. And it's touchless – oftentimes, especially in these manufacturing environments, you're going to have dirty hands or bad fingerprints. That's why we believe facial recognition, which actually brings video to the door, provides the most security,” said Brad Donaldson, VP of Computer Vision at SAFR.
Long-range Ethernet
Long-range Ethernet is also important for food processing/manufacturing facilities. Ethernet cables typically have data transmission distances of up to 100 meters, which is insufficient for large spaces such as food processing/manufacturing plants. This is where long-range Ethernet solutions can play an effective role. Altronix’s long-range Ethernet adapters, for example, can extend standard Ethernet distance to 500 meters without repeaters and are suitable for hard-to-reach IP cameras and other devices in large facilities.
Further, Altronix mentioned their compact PoE adapter which can provide simultaneous 12/24VDC power and PoE/PoE+ over a single cable to a range of devices including cameras, microphones and sensors. Stephen Oliva, OEM Development and Western US Sales Manager for Altronix, cites how the adapter can be useful in a camera and microphone setup.
“In a food processing and manufacturing facility, think about an engine or a machine that's making a certain noise. Adding a microphone to the camera with certain analytics or even just to hear for a certain loudness of sound can actually help solve a problem in the back end and reduce the amount of downtime equipment,” Oliva said. “So being able to split that media very easily without having to run another strand of wire to the microphone … solves a lot of problems for the installation company.”
Cybersecurity solutions
Finally, this being the era of IoT, cybersecurity is of vital importance in food processing/manufacturing. John Gallagher, VP of Viakoo Labs, refers to as “connected kitchen” the use of IoT devices to keep food items safe and clean during the food preparation, distribution and sales processes.
“Within connected kitchens, there's many examples of IoT, one of them being automated machines that will do onion slicing and avocado peeling. And highly critical to safely is continuous temperature monitoring, ensuring that the products have been maintained at the level that they should be to be safely delivered to customers. And obviously security cameras and access control systems are the foundation for physical security and therefore protecting the reputation and operations in food safety,” Gallagher said.
Since connected kitchens are all about IoT, cyberattacks have become real threats considering IoT devices are attack surfaces. For example, IP cameras can be avenues for planting ransomware, and HVAC systems can be subject to security controls disablement. In this regard, Viakoo uses automation to remediate vulnerabilities and keep devices running. Their Action Platform identifies security gaps and device vulnerabilities, detects threats and anomalous behavior, and automates policy enforcement. “Viakoo’s agentless platform remediates risks on devices automatically, ensuring they are operational, secured, and working as expected,” Gallagher said.