Secure, reliable connectivity is imperative for manufacturers today. Unfortunately, in manufacturing environments, where efficiency, agility, and security are paramount, traditional wireless or Wi-Fi solutions can fall short.
With heavy machinery, metal structures, cement walls, and other industrial equipment, wireless signals can be weakened or blocked. In some cases, the physical layout of the facility creates issues with wireless signals that ultimately lead to dead zones and unreliable connections. Another complication that challenges traditional wireless is manufacturing plants utilizing autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) that travel inside and outside of the facility to complete tasks. If the signal is lost, the task goes undone. And in manufacturing environments with many connected devices, network congestion can further exacerbate signal interference issues.
Enter private wireless networks. This transformative technology redefines how manufacturers approach connectivity challenges and better secure their environments. By providing a dedicated, enterprise-grade wireless infrastructure, private wireless networks offer a compelling alternative to the limitations of traditional Wi-Fi. Private wireless supports secure manufacturing by helping manufacturers overcome the unique challenges they face, from seamless indoor-outdoor connectivity to enhanced security and scalability.
Wi-Fi Weaknesses
In many environments, Wi-Fi provides a great alternative to a wired network, but for secure manufacturing, it might not always provide the connectivity necessary.
Wi-Fi has its limitations when it comes to contention and congestion issues due to the shared, unlicensed nature of Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi is often unable to provide reliable, seamless coverage, especially in outdoor areas or across large facilities. It often lacks the dedicated bandwidth and quality of service guarantees needed for critical manufacturing applications.
Security also becomes an issue with traditional Wi-Fi. There are significant concerns over unauthorized access to the network and potential data breaches. It is also difficult to implement robust security measures and monitoring for rogue devices on a shared Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi also introduces operational inefficiencies in a manufacturing environment. For instance, disruptions in connectivity can lead to downtime for AGVs or other robots, as well as mission-critical equipment on the manufacturing floor. Wi-Fi presents challenges with real-time data transmission and integration with manufacturing systems that need reliable connectivity. And if the Wi-Fi is unreliable and connectivity cuts in and out depending on location, workers and devices would also be limited in their mobility and flexibility to get work done inside and outside of the facility.
Another factor manufacturers today are considering is the growing demands of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) in which an exponential number of devices must be connected. These future environments require connectivity to support low-latency communications for all devices as well as data-intensive applications. Wi-Fi likely won’t be able to support the future environment needed to support secure manufacturing.
Private Wireless Readiness
Private wireless networks—particularly those utilizing 5G technology—with integrated security bring measurable benefits to manufacturers because they offer greater control over network access, stronger authentication mechanisms, and more robust encryption. All these factors make it more difficult for unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive data and systems.
Unlike public 5G networks, a private network is entirely controlled by the manufacturer, preventing external access to their data and systems. Private 5G offers a dedicated, isolated network with advanced encryption protocols, strong user authentication, and network slicing capabilities. This allows manufacturers to protect sensitive production data and control systems while maintaining high data transfer speeds and reliability for manufacturing operations.
Private 5G wireless supports zero trust principles by enabling strict access controls, continuous device authentication, and granular policy enforcement. Zero trust security principles protect sensitive operational systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats, fostering a secure manufacturing environment. Private wireless networks also require SIM-based authentication, which uses a mobile or cellular device’s credentials in the SIM card to verify a user’s identity. This more stringent layer of authentication provides more protection than typical Wi-Fi password logins.
Manufacturers can also tailor security settings on a private network to suit their needs, including encryption levels and access controls. Private 5G networks use authentication, advanced encryption algorithms, and compliance with zero trust framework with end-to-end visibility and control.
Network segmentation also becomes an advantage in a manufacturing environment. Private wireless networks can segment different parts of the manufacturing process easier, limiting data access to designated devices and users, preventing unauthorized data sharing. Private networks also operate on dedicated spectrum bands, improving signal stability and minimizing interferences from other nearby Wi-Fi networks.
Manufacturers can improve operational efficiencies with private wireless because it offers more stable and reliable connectivity that allows for the continuous operation of AGVs, robotics, and other automated systems. The stability of wireless coverage results in reduced production delays and improved throughput. Private wireless also requires fewer access points, which reduces capital and operational costs.
Hughes 5G Private Wireless
Hughes provides secure 5G for manufacturing by offering customized and highly secure, dedicated private 5G networks.
Hughes designs and deploys private 5G networks tailored to individual manufacturing needs, allowing for specific security configurations and access controls. Hughes incorporates features such as slicing to provide enterprise level Quality of Service (QoS), zero trust security architecture, and advanced threat detection to protect manufacturing data. Hughes is also able to deliver high-bandwidth and low-latency network resources by utilizing:
- A modular, open systems approach with edge cloud processing
- Full spectrum threat detection and mitigation
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning support for network and security operations, and user applications
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite backhaul and backup for deployment worldwide.
Hughes designs, deploys, and manages a secure private wireless network, working closely with the customer to solve their business needs.
For more information visit Hughes Private 5G Wireless Network Solutions.