American manufacturing and industrial sectors account for around 25 percent of U.S. energy and industry experts said energy efficiency can be improved through promoting cybersecurity.
Due to increased cybersecurity threats in many industries in the U.S., experts recommended that companies should ensure that energy grids are safe from potential threats. Cybersecurity crimes could have a negative impact on the manufacturing processes revolving around solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.
"Improved cybersecurity can reduce risks as well as catalyze adoption of more energy efficient technologies in the manufacturing industry," U.S. Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, said in a statement from the Department of Energy (DOE), Industry Week reported.
As part of the government's efforts in ensuring that manufacturing of energy equipment and tools are done efficiently, the DOE announced on Tuesday that it will finance a Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute. The $70-million-project is expected to develop technology that will keep the United States' competitiveness in manufacturing and innovation.
To further secure energy-efficient manufacturing processes, the DOE said businesses in the sector should implement cybersecurity measures on automation and supply chain networks. Business owners and manufacturing plant managers can rely on the Institute for training and education about cybersecurity measures focused on automated sensors.
A study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory suggested that automated systems in energy manufacturing companies could provide up to 15 percent in process efficiency. These cybersecurity measures can help reduce threats, allowing for a faster workflow that will result in increased profits.
Last week, it was revealed that U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) dropped to its lowest yet in 21 months. According to Market Watch, the flash manufacturing PMI slipped to 52.5.
The report indicated that the reason for this fall in U.S. manufacturing is the weak pace that new jobs posted since April 2017. More and more clients showed cautious consumer buying behavior, resulting in slower business activity in the manufacturing sector. The report also revealed that the sector recorded the slowest increase in payroll figures since June 2017.
Despite unexpected softer figures in the American manufacturing industry, some analysts predicted that the drop could be temporary. ING Chief International Economist, James Knightley said earlier this month that there is a chance for bouncing back with better numbers during the second quarter of this year.
Knightley said that despite the disappointing figures from one of the world's top manufacturers, the U.S. economy "remains in decent shape." He predicted that customer inventories in the manufacturing sect will gradually move up within the next few months.
