Author: Brittany Rome

Advancing Your Robotics Project with RED Group

Overcome Manufacturing Challenges with our Robotic Integration Solutions
Written by Sebastian Hillis, ICS Consulting Supervisor

 

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing world, businesses are constantly seeking innovative solutions to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the overall customer experience. With the increasing digitalization of the world, the popularity of robotics in the manufacturing industry has skyrocketed. In fact, robotic sales in North America experienced a remarkable 11% growth in 2022 compared to the previous year. It’s no surprise that robotics has garnered such attention and demand, given its ability to address critical challenges like staffing shortages. However, despite the benefits, integrating robotic solutions into existing systems remains a major struggle for many end-users. 

The Challenge 

One major pain point is the poor integration of robotics into the wider MES/SCADA/IIoT environment. Robotic installations are often automated to streamline processes like assembly, but without integrating fully into the existing MES, SCADA, or IIoT platforms, it is difficult to utilize data for advanced analytics and insight into operations. This can significantly limit the potential of robotics to improve overall business operations. 

Another challenge is space and cost constraints. Smaller operators may have limited space to work with, making it difficult to incorporate a bulky robotic installation. Similarly, the perceived cost of the initial installation and ongoing maintenance and support costs can discourage customers from embracing robotic solutions, despite the rapid return on investment that robotics can provide. However, it is worth noting that cobots, or collaborative robots, require less auxiliary equipment and can be implemented in tight spaces, making them a cost-effective solution. 

Moreover, some clients shy away from robotics due to a lack of internal resources, assuming, for example, that they will need a full-time robotics expert on staff. With effective integration, however, robotics can be made simple – errors can be pinpointed, corrective actions can be automated, and the robot can be made resistant to “mystery crashes”. Additionally, cobots offer simple setup and can be programmed directly by operators, making them more accessible to end-users. 

The Solution 

RED Group not only assists in identifying opportunities for robotic implementation based on clients’ desired outcomes – we also offer fully integrated robotic skids with the ability to easily integrate directly with IIoT, MES, and SCADA platforms for a number of benefits, such as asset health monitoring, quality control and downtime tracking, and real-time process data and shop floor monitoring. Our knowledgeable staff offers robust support with extensive diagnostics, error identification, automatic homing, and other features that make robotics easy to operate and troubleshoot. By choosing RED Group, end-users can leverage the full potential of robotic solutions without worrying about integration challenges. 

Take Away 

The use of robotics in the manufacturing industry is an integral part of the overall digital transformation journey. While industrial robotics has advanced to a point where programming the robot itself has become simpler – although we can help with this, too – future-facing organizations still need to enable the next step of greater shop floor autonomy and integration into existing platforms. The need for integrator support has shifted from the programming of the robot itself to the data collection, flexibility, and integration of the robot into the wider manufacturing environment. Employing robotics as part of a greater digital transformation strategy can increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and make the manufacturing environment safer for workers. 

RED Group’s robotic integration solutions offer end-users a way to address the pain points that come with implementing robotics in their manufacturing processes. By integrating robots into the wider MES/SCADA/IIoT environment, providing cobots for applications with tight space constraints, and offering robust support and diagnostics, RED Group empowers organizations to take the next step in their digital transformation journey. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions and how we can support your organization.

 

Sebastian Hillis, ICS Supervisor of RED Group’s Houston office, has extensive experience in integrating industrial robotics for applications ranging from simple pick-and-place to vision-guided, coordinated assembly.

Industrial Cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and Digitalization: The Future of Manufacturing

Industrial Cybersecurity & Digitalization: The Future of Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry is undergoing a digital transformation. The journey towards modernization and digitalization via the use of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other technologies are changing the way that products are designed, manufactured, distributed, and delivered. This transformation is also creating new challenges for industrial cybersecurity.

As manufacturing systems become more connected, they are also becoming more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Threat actors can exploit vulnerabilities in these systems to gain access to sensitive data or to disrupt operations. In some cases, cyberattacks intend to cause physical damage to equipment or facilities.

To address these challenges, manufacturers need to adopt a comprehensive approach to industrial cybersecurity. This approach should include the following elements:

  • Asset identification and inventory: Manufacturers need to identify and inventory all their critical assets, including both physical and digital assets. This will help them to understand their risk exposure and to prioritize their security efforts.
  • Vulnerability & Risk assessments: Manufacturers need to regularly assess their systems for vulnerabilities. This will help them to identify and fix security weaknesses before they can be exploited by hackers.
  • Security controls: Manufacturers need to implement security controls to protect their systems from cyberattacks, and ideally, link them to business drivers/outcomes. These controls can include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls.
  • Response Planning: Manufacturers must develop and implement the appropriate actions to be taken following a cybersecurity event.
  • Recovery: Manufacturers need to take actions to return to normal operations in a timely manner to reduce the impact from cybersecurity events.

NIST Framework: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover

By taking these steps, manufacturers can help to protect their systems from cyberattacks and to ensure the continued safety and security of their operations. In addition, manufacturers can also benefit from the use of AI in industrial cybersecurity. AI can be used to automate tasks such as vulnerability assessment and threat detection. This can free up human resources to focus on other tasks, such as evaluating and implementing new security controls and training employees.

AI can also be used to develop new security solutions that are specifically designed for industrial environments. For example, AI can be used to develop self-learning intrusion detection systems that can adapt to new threats as they emerge.

The use of AI in industrial cybersecurity is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way that manufacturers protect their systems from cyberattacks. As AI technology continues to develop, it is certain to play an increasingly crucial role in industrial cybersecurity.

Some of the many benefits to implementing industrial cybersecurity measures include:

  • Increased safety: Industrial cybersecurity measures can help to protect workers from injury or death by preventing cyberattacks that could cause physical damage to equipment or facilities.
  • Lowered Risk: Industrial cybersecurity measures can lower risk of exposure and financial losses due to things such as ransom, legal risks, etc.
  • Reduced downtime: Industrial cybersecurity measures can help to reduce downtime by preventing cyberattacks that could disrupt operations.
  • Improved efficiency: Industrial cybersecurity measures can help to improve efficiency by preventing cyberattacks that could disrupt supply chains.
  • Protected intellectual property: Industrial cybersecurity measures can help to protect intellectual property by preventing cyberattacks that could steal trade secrets or proprietary information.
  • Increased compliance: Industrial cybersecurity measures can help organizations to comply with regulations such as Federal Nuclear and Energy Regulatory Commission orders and rules, or sector-specific cybersecurity plans.

 

Take Away

Industrial cybersecurity is a critical issue for manufacturers. RED Group supports organizations in implementing industrial cybersecurity measures, empowering manufacturers to protect their systems from cyberattacks and ensure the continued safety and security of their operations. Contact us today to learn more and get started on your digital transformation journey.

 

Check out the next installments of our Digital Transformation series:

RED Group Honored as 2023 Louisiana Growth Leader

RED Group LGL Honored Leader

We are thrilled to announce that RED Group has been named a Louisiana Growth Leader by the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Growth Network. This recognition is a testament to our team’s hard work and commitment to providing innovative solutions to our clients across the public/defense, energy, maritime and manufacturing industries.

Since our founding in 2006, RED Group has been dedicated to providing end-to-end OT expertise, from conceptual consulting to detailed design and engineering, all within an OT/ICS cyber-resiliency envelope. We take pride in our ability to help our clients meet and exceed organizational, governmental, and environmental requirements, while also increasing their operational efficiency and cybersecurity posture.

“On behalf of the RED Group team, we are honored to be chosen as a Louisiana Growth Leader among this impressive group of Louisiana businesses. Louisiana and LED provide a great environment for businesses, and the talent across the state is always impressive. RED Group has grown into an organization with four locations serving clients across North America, a result of the hard work and dedication of the entire RED Group team. We’re proud of each of our team members, and thankful for our customers and partners who continue to trust us to design, deploy and secure their operational technology infrastructure. We have enjoyed the ride and are even more excited about the future as we continue our journey to enable our clients and team to ‘Take Control’.”

Kyle Remont,
President & Founder
RED Group Honored as 2023 Louisiana Growth Leader

RED Group Honored as 2023 Louisiana Growth Leader

 

Louisiana Growth Leaders are selected by a statewide panel of economic development professionals who evaluate businesses in the LED Growth Network on community involvement and business success. Criteria include growth, strategy, innovation, philanthropy and leadership.

Created in 2017, the LED Growth Network consists of over 630 companies accounting for more than $4 billion in annual sales and representing more than 21,700 jobs. Growth Network members are small businesses beyond the startup stage but not yet fully mature. They enter the Growth Network by participating in one or more of LED’s programs for second-stage firms. Detailed information about the honorees may be found in Louisiana’s Entrepreneurial Engine 2023.

RED Group & Teknoir Announce Strategic Partnership

RED Group Teknoir Partnership

Teknoir, a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms for industrial operators and enterprises, and RED Group, a global leader in industrial automation and cybersecurity for industries including energy/utilities, manufacturing, maritime, and defense, have announced their founding AI Systems Integrator partnership. This collaboration will help companies transform their operations in worker safety & productivity, ESG compliance, production optimization, quality assurance, theft & surveillance, and preventative maintenance. With Teknoir’s no-code, edge AI platform and RED Group’s domain expertise in Operational Technology (OT) combined with their collective experience in system design and deployment, they are well-positioned to provide customers with an end-to-end solution for their most pressing business/organizational challenges. 

 
As industries face an onslaught of digital transformation driven by disruptive forces such as AI, it is more important than ever for companies to partner with experienced providers who can help them navigate these changes. Teknoir is proud to announce our new AI Systems Integrator program, which brings together some of the world’s leading industrial automation companies. Our partners share our commitment to helping customers harness the power of AI to achieve real business outcomes. Through this program, we will provide our joint customers with an end-to-end solution that covers everything from strategy and consulting through implementation and support. RED Group’s deep experience in industrial automation and the IT and OT environments makes them the ideal founding partner for our SI program,” said Jonathan Klein, Founder & CEO of Teknoir.
 

 

“RED Group is excited to partner with Teknoir as they bring artificial intelligence into industries’ most critical applications for safety & productivity gains; data-driven decision making; improved efficiency through optimized workflows; and better customer service levels. Combined with RED Group’s experience in deploying large-scale industrial automation systems and OT modernization across the critical infrastructure sectors, we can now offer our clients an unprecedented level of capability when it comes to transformative change using AI technologies” said Carl Fangue, CEO of RED Group. “We see this as not only a game changer for our clients but also for the future of work where humans will increasingly collaborate with machines to do things better than either could do on their own,” he added. 

 

 

 

About RED Group: 

RED Group provides end-to-end Operational Technology & Industrial Control Systems (OT/ICS) solutioning and delivery expertise, from conceptual consulting, through detailed engineering, systems integration, and installation.  We assist asset owners as they modernize and leverage more technology, data, and infrastructure in the IT & OT environments, ensuring security is infused into all phases of the project/asset lifecycle.

About Teknoir: 

Teknoir is a leader in Industrial Edge AI solutions providing a simple and secure way to create, train, deploy, and manage AI applications. The Teknoir Platform is used by enterprise customers across industries to address use cases related to worker and environmental safety, production optimization, preventative maintenance, manufacturing quality control, and security & surveillance.


For more information or to speak with a representative from RED Group or
Teknoir please contact:
 

info@red.group / info@teknoir.ai

RED Group Names Jake Mattix Director of Business Development

RED Group Names Jake Mattix Director of Business Development

RED Group is pleased to reveal several organizational changes!  Congratulations to all as we continue to build a stronger and more impactful RED Group.

We’re elated to announce that Jake Mattix has been promoted to Director of Business Development.  Jake has been with RED Group in a business development capacity for over 10 years.  “Jake’s dedication, passion, and solid teamwork have played a sizable role in the growth of RED Group over the years.  We look forward to teaming with Jake for the next decade and beyond!”, said Kyle Remont, Founder and President.

“When thinking back to 2011 when I started this journey at RED Group, I see that things are much different here now, and in a very positive way,” Jake said. “We’ve scaled up and implemented some big changes in the way we do things, and I’m proud of that.  With that said, the one constant during this journey has been people helping people, and I personally would not have been successful without the help from my teammates.  So, thank you all for your continued support, dedication, and hard work.  Together, we’ve built this business into a cohesive, fun, and exciting place, and we will continue to mature the RED Group brand while executing great work for our clients.  I look forward to the next phase and our continued success here at RED Group, and I am honored to accept the new role.”

 

RED Group is a leading Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Technology & Integration firm, specializing in Automation, Operational Technology (OT) Consulting, and Cybersecurity solutions. We engineer and integrate our clients’ OT systems with four outcomes in mind:  Control, Safety, Insights, and Security.  Our expertise in operational technology, systems engineering, and systems integration enables us to thoughtfully guide organizations through their journey towards optimization, stability, and resiliency.  We also have an inhouse UL 508A/UL698A Panel Shop where we fabricate custom industrial control panels. We are headquartered in New Orleans, LA with additional offices in Lafayette, LA and Houston, TX and serve a client base of North America, presently.

RED Group Names Carl Fangue CEO

RED Group Names Carl Fangue CEO

We are pleased to announce that Carl Fangue has been promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer at RED Group.  As CEO, Carl will lead the forward-looking aspects of the firm, iterating and executing RED Group’s strategic vision.  Kyle Remont, Founder and President, will focus on our continuous improvement process, in addition to strategy, to ensure each day brings a stronger RED Group with regards to delivery, culture, and infrastructure.  Together – and with leadership from our entire team – growth, operational excellence, and a positive and purposeful culture will continue to be ‘True North’ for RED Group.

“Since Carl joined RED Group 3 years ago, we have worked very well together and he has made a hugely positive impact,” said Kyle Remont.  “Carl’s determination and attitude inspire everyone around him to become a better version of themselves, and his ability to break complex strategies into tactical actions is second to none.  Carl is a great leader, and I am very excited about working with him and the rest of our team to build a bigger, better RED Group.”

“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Kyle and the RED Group team planning and building the future of the organization,” Carl said.  “We’ve made substantial progress, through some universally challenging times, and it feels pretty amazing.  I’m thrilled to continue to partner with Kyle and the entire team as we write the next chapter of the RED Group story, while preserving the culture and ethos the company launched with 16 years ago.”

We have more exciting news coming; stay tuned!

 

RED Group is a leading Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Technology & Integration firm, specializing in Automation, Operational Technology (OT) Consulting, and Cybersecurity solutions. We engineer and integrate our clients’ OT systems with four outcomes in mind:  Control, Safety, Insights, and Security.  Our expertise in operational technology, systems engineering, and systems integration enables us to thoughtfully guide organizations through their journey towards optimization, stability, and resiliency.  We also have an inhouse UL 508A/UL698A Panel Shop where we fabricate custom industrial control panels. We are headquartered in New Orleans, LA with additional offices in Lafayette, LA and Houston, TX and serve a client base of North America, presently.

Managing Your Maritime Project with RED Group

Managing your Maritime Project with RED Group

Shipbuilding, along with the manufacturing of other maritime vessels, is a complex industry with many moving parts. There are so many systems to be considered – navigation, propulsion, and ballast systems – just to start! Additional complications surface when searching for the right partners with the right experience to put all these moving parts together to create a quality vessel in a timely and efficient manner.

It’s not always easy knowing where to turn. How do we ensure these companies will work well together? Will they be able to communicate their needs to one another properly? Do their systems integrate as conceptualized and proposed? Are they working on similar timelines? Can their work be done simultaneously? It’s all enough to make your head spin! An important first step in ensuring a successful project is finding an integration partner with skills in engineering, cybersecurity, and OT systems, who also has the leadership capabilities to inject value into the planning, design, and production phases while providing project assurance services throughout.

The Challenge

As shipbuilders, it’s a challenge to keep manufacturing running smoothly. But when time down means money lost and/or significantly impacts the end user, it’s imperative to make sure design and production stay on track and on time. So, what can be done when there are hiccups in the workflow? Partnering with a maritime-experienced firm can be an incredible risk prevention tool.

When the schedule dictates that manufacturing begins before the design process is complete, shipbuilders may run into simultaneous operations challenges and resource availability issues. There are often delays on documentation followed by an influx of documentation, which leads to significant downtime followed by extreme uptime, causing peaks in resource loading. RED Group can relieve this situation by providing proper planning, assurance, and personnel to execute the work in a timely and efficient manner, saving shipbuilders from costly onboarding and turnover as well as expensive rework due to incomplete engineering.

Cybersecurity is an important, yet relatively new aspect in the maritime environment. Many shipbuilders are inexperienced in cybersecurity, just like many cybersecurity experts are inexperienced in the maritime industry. RED Group not only has experience in both maritime and cybersecurity, but in cybersecurity in the maritime industry!

Building a vessel is a large project – automation, engineering, cybersecurity, and systems integration are imperative, and it isn’t always easy to find a partner you can trust to tie everything together. RED Group has the experience required to ensure compliance and integration of all vessel systems, with cybersecurity designed into the project.

The Solution

It is important to not only partner with teams who have experience in each individual aspect of shipbuilding, but to find a partner who employs a holistic approach to the technology piece of shipbuilding. Hiring a cybersecurity expert lacking knowledge of industrial control systems, for instance, can lead to complications via risk management gaps, communication barriers,  and more. RED Group has the expertise needed to provide top quality project management and assurance services. We keep the project running smoothly and on time, and pride ourselves on the ability to overcome any obstacle thrown our way.

Here at RED Group, we excel at managing deliverables, timelines, and suppliers. We’re pros at ensuring your suppliers are providing technology packages as specified and expected for proper integration.  We’re passionate about making sure your vessel is delivered with the intended level of technology integration and adherence to the cybersecurity requirements. Our multi-industry integration experience makes us the perfect partner to guarantee each process on your ship operates smoothly and resiliently.

Take Away

Having worked across the Energy, Public and Manufacturing industries, in addition to our Maritime efforts – such as naval vessels, dredges, and cranes – RED Group has the experience needed to tackle any challenge that comes our way. Partnering with RED Group means we take care of the stress points so that you can focus on what’s important: building a top-notch vessel on time and within budget. When you partner with RED Group, you can rest assured that you will have help every step of the way, from beginning to end of your project. Contact us today to see the difference partnering with RED Group can make for your project.

RED Group Expands to Lafayette

new-location-lafayette

We are thrilled to announce that RED Group is officially expanding to Lafayette, Louisiana! Our newest team member, Ryan Primeaux, will be supporting clients and helping us grow in the Lafayette area. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to support our Lafayette clients locally as well as expand our clientele to provide expert engineering, automation and cybersecurity solutions all across the Gulf Coast.

Ryan, the Director of Operations over our Lafayette office, is an Energy Industry veteran that brings many years of Control System Engineering and Integration experience as well as executive level experience growing and leading high performing teams in the OT/ICS space. Ryan looks forward to contributing to the RED Group Vision across all geographies and offerings, as well as kicking off our presence in Lafayette, LA. We’re thrilled to have him on board and excited at the opportunity to grow the team and gain access to the talent Lafayette has to offer.

RED Group Expands to Texas

RED Group Expands to Texas

We are thrilled to announce that RED Group is officially expanding to Texas! Our newest team member, Victor Vich, will be helping us expand and grow in Houston, TX. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to support our Texas clients locally as well as expand our clientele to provide expert engineering, automation and cybersecurity solutions all across the Gulf Coast.

Victor, the Director of Operations over our Houston office, has over 20 years of experience working and managing various projects including engineering, control systems, SCADA, IOT and cybersecurity. Victor is excited to join RED Group and deliver innovative solutions to our customers in the Houston Market and around the US. We’re thrilled to have him on board and excited at the opportunity to grow the team and gain access to the talent Texas has to offer.

Creating Zero-Trust Security Architecture

Create Zero-Trust Security Architecture
Written by Garrett Williams, Senior OT Security Consultant

 

What is Zero-Trust Security?

Zero-trust is the practice of shrinking the cybersecurity perimeter and eliminating inherent trust in your environment. The focus is on using technology and up-to-date methodologies as tools to get security as close as possible to each individual asset or components within a control system.

For example, instead of a security zone being the entire manufacturing plant, specific HMIs and historians are grouped together to minimize the attack surface that a security team needs to manage. Between each grouping may be virtual networking divisions, physical devices or other mechanisms that allow for alerting and monitoring centrally.

Security solutions must be dynamic to keep up with modern threats – that is the only way to ensure your overall architecture has strong foundations to handle the security required for ongoing operations. With Industrial Control Systems (ICS), that means preventing unauthorized and unwanted access to operational technology (OT) that could have caused a disruption in the availability of services. The Zero-Trust model utilizes strong cybersecurity tools and methodologies to create an environment that is inherently secure as opposed to being inherently available.

So, where do you start? Every cybersecurity-related vendor now utilizes the buzzwords ‘zero- trust security’ and ‘false claims’ to sell the full package solution, but most products only add and strengthen the bricks within one or more pillars that complete your cybersecurity architecture. To create a truly secure environment, you’ll need a partner who can help develop the bigger picture.

Developing the “Bigger Picture”

To build a strong cybersecurity program, there are a number of cornerstone methodologies – or “pillars” – that can be implemented. Below are the most fundamental of these pillars:

Strong Asset Management:

Having an asset inventory is critical for security; it is the basis for most methodologies. Security requires a few different components to allow it to function at its best. When deciding what these pieces are, you should ask yourself questions such as:  What are we protecting? How much is it worth? Where is it? These questions must be addressed on a continuous basis in order to have strong asset management within an organization.

Some examples of assets are computerized equipment, generated data, software and/or applications, and even services. Assets should be ranked or prioritized. A common practice for control systems is doing a crown jewel analysis, which are devices and processes most critical for operation.

Least Privilege

Least privilege is giving the absolute minimal amount of access to resources necessary to do one’s job. An organization needs to define roles and the specific responsibilities that fall under each role. Only then can you create strong policies that restrict the appropriate access to resources during the appropriate time.

Dynamic IAM MFA

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) successfully defeats most password guessing and credential hijacking attacks. However, MFA by itself is not insurmountable. We are constantly creating and strategizing new ways to authenticate rightful users to the resources they need to do their jobs. Flexibility is required with security tool and technique selection.

The strongest and most effective way of authenticating users and devices is by combining multiple methods to create one strong policy. Identity Management can be very arduous and granular – it is paramount to understand how your organization defines and validates identities, as well as represents those identities digitally within your environment. Remember, the goal is strong discriminative authentication policies that do not inconvenience operations.

Build defensible networks with segmentation plus monitoring

Group and separate your network based on asset attributions, how they transact with each other, and their value to the business. The point in which one security zone interacts with any other should be digitally monitored. Monitoring is set up and networks are separated using virtual networking solutions or hardware solutions such as firewalls and unidirectional gateways.

In a zero-trust architecture, a defensible network serves dual purposes. These checkpoints can serve as booby traps and alert your team of adversaries in your environment. Network segmentation in addition to monitoring also gives you the option to defend yourself against an attack. For example, if you experience a ransomware attack, a segmented network can help prevent the spread of malware from one security zone or group of assets to another.

Your Partner in Cybersecurity

A zero-trust architecture establishes network security from the inside out, starting with the asset(s) or security zone. Sometimes, with a little bit of help, you can implement zero-trust architecture with little to no cost. There are many security-enabled features inside the networking, OS-based HMIs, and workstation systems currently used within most OT environments.

To help you transform your environment into a zero-trust security model, you need a partner that not only helps you invest, but also consults you on how to address cyber threats with existing capabilities. It is essential to have security-aware people, secure processes, and secure technologies.

RED Group is your partner in implementing zero-trust security architecture throughout your industrial environment. We can get started by evaluating your current cybersecurity program maturity and assessing how and where you can implement better cybersecurity tools and improve your cyber security posture. Contact us today to begin working on a roadmap to secure your environment.

Garrett Williams is an OT cybersecurity professional with an extensive history of building and leading high performing teams.