The Global Shift and India’s Security Awakening
Industrial automation today is closely tied to cyber defence, with risks extending beyond data breaches to the stability of entire economies. As Shinto Joseph notes, modern threats are increasingly digital, where disruptions can occur without physical conflict. In India, this shift is driving stronger adoption of security standards, particularly in critical sectors like power and energy. The direction is clear, security is no longer an afterthought but a foundational part of system design.
- Automation and cyber defence are now interconnected
- Risks impact economies, not just data or downtime
- Digital threats are replacing traditional conflict models
- India is strengthening security standards in critical sectors
- Security is being built into systems from the ground up
India’s response reflects a broader global shift, where cyber risks in industrial (OT) environments are now seen as far more costly than traditional IT breaches due to downtime and safety impacts. As embedded systems become widespread, the focus is firmly on building security across the entire lifecycle, from design to deployment, to ensure long-term reliability.
Manufacturers’ Security Dilemma
Manufacturers today face real challenges in securing automation systems, from legacy infrastructure and fragmented standards to complex supply chains and limited device capabilities. Many systems still rely on outdated protocols and unpatched firmware, making them easy targets. The shift is clear—security can’t be added later; it has to be built into the system from the start.
- Lack of standardization
- Supply chain vulnerabilities
- Weak encryption due to device limits
- Outdated protocols still in use
- Security must be design-first, not patch-first
Trust Begins at the Silicon
True resilience starts at the hardware level, with a layered security approach from chip to cloud. Hardware-based protection prevents device cloning, IP theft, and unauthorized access, while secure boot and trusted firmware ensure only verified code runs and updates remain secure.
Together, these measures create a strong chain of trust, ensuring only authenticated code executes and forming the foundation of digital security, supporting system integrity, safety, and compliance in industrial environments.
Testing, Validation, and the T&M Perspective
Security in industrial systems isn’t just about design, it requires continuous testing, validation, and alignment between teams to truly ensure trust.
- Security needs continuous validation, not just design-time implementation
- Testing and measurement (T&M) are critical to verify real security, not assume it
- Ensures security across hardware, software, and full system lifecycle
- OT systems follow rigid design models, limiting updates
- Gap between test engineers and IT security teams impacts effectiveness
- Lack of coordination can weaken overall system security
Advanced testbeds that simulate real-world attacks and validate secure boot help engineers continuously strengthen system security.
The Semiconductor Imperative
Embedded security ultimately relies on the strength of the underlying semiconductor ecosystem. As India pushes toward self-reliance in chip manufacturing, the focus is not just economic but also critical for national security. With increasing dependence on connected devices, building a secure and resilient hardware foundation has become essential.
- India still depends heavily on imported semiconductors
- Need for stronger government–industry collaboration
- Opportunity for domestic firms to build secure hardware
- Rising IoT adoption is expanding the attack surface
- Security must grow alongside innovation
The Expanding Attack Surface
- Industrial systems are no longer isolated; OT is now integrated with IT
- Remote access, cloud, and real-time data increase exposure
- Every connected device (sensor to controller) is a potential entry point
- Large number of endpoints makes security harder to manage
- Rising threats: ransomware, supply chain attacks, firmware manipulation
- Manufacturing and energy sectors are highly targeted
Embedded Security: The Core of Industrial Defence
Embedded security forms the backbone of modern industrial defence, protecting systems at every layer, from hardware to applications. It creates a “chain of trust,” where each component verifies the next, ensuring only authenticated and untampered processes can run. This approach is critical in industrial environments, where even a single compromised device can disrupt entire operations.
- Security spans from silicon (hardware) to applications
- “Chain of trust” ensures verified and secure system execution
- Hardware elements like TPMs and HSMs secure device identity
- Secure boot blocks unauthorized or tampered firmware
- Trusted firmware secures updates and ensures compliance
- Prevents attackers from gaining control even if access is attempted
Testing, Measurement, and Continuous Validation
Industrial cybersecurity is no longer a one-time check – it requires continuous testing and validation across the entire system lifecycle. From pre-deployment simulations to real-time monitoring, the focus has shifted to ensuring systems remain secure even as they evolve.
- Security must be continuously tested, not just verified once
- Simulation of real-world attacks (faults, stress, tampering) before deployment
- Helps identify vulnerabilities early and improve resilience
- Real-time monitoring of data flow across devices and cloud
- Tracks firmware integrity and detects abnormal behavior
- Enables faster response to emerging threats
- “Validate always” approach ensures long-term reliability and compliance
Hardware Sovereignty and Secure Manufacturing
As embedded security becomes a global priority, it is increasingly linked to semiconductor sovereignty, with countries recognizing the risks of relying on imported chips. This is driving a shift toward domestic manufacturing and secure design as both a security and economic necessity.
In India, initiatives like ISM and DLI aim to build a strong ecosystem for secure, locally made chips with built-in protection. The global direction is clear, security must start at the hardware level, with “secure silicon” becoming the new standard.
Policy, Standards, and Awareness
- Policy & Frameworks: CERT-In guidelines and global standards like ISA/IEC 62443 are strengthening cybersecurity governance and risk management
- Awareness Gap: Operators, vendors, and suppliers still lack adequate security awareness, increasing vulnerability
- Skill Development: Training programs, workshops, and education are essential to build security-first thinking
- Collaboration: Government, industry, and academia together drive innovation and stronger security ecosystems
From Reactive Defence to Predictive Resilience
- Predictive Resilience: Shift from reactive defence to AI-driven threat prediction and prevention
- AI & Analytics: Detect system anomalies early to prevent attacks or failures
- Advanced Technologies: Post-quantum cryptography, AI threat intelligence, and blockchain improving security
- Proactive Security: Integration with embedded systems enables early risk mitigation
- Trust Foundation: Ensures secure interaction between machines, data, and users
- Future Focus: Reliable automation and safe infrastructure in highly connected environments
Conclusion
Industrial growth and cybersecurity are now inseparable, making security a core design principle rather than an add-on. As India advances digitally, its success will depend on building secure, resilient systems, because in a connected world, security is what enables progress.
📌 Read the full publication: Times Tech