Cyber security has become an increasingly larger issue in our growing digital world. Some industries are more conscious of the impact weak digital security can have on their businesses. With the rise of industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing, one can extrapolate how digital threats might present obstacles in the pursuit of progress in manufacturing.
Government and defense sectors have started accelerating their use and deployment of additive manufacturing equipment in field settings. Speaking about military and government applications for additive, Dick Anderson, Senior Vice President for Manufacturing at Stratasys commented, “The benefits of 3D printing are clear, including getting critical products wherever they are needed, with maximum speed and minimal cost, all while extending the lifespan of existing assets to save taxpayer dollars.” The ability to manufacture a variety of parts quickly can give an advantage to trained professionals out in the field.
To fill a gaping hole in additive manufacturing, Stratasys has developed the first digital solution to integrate with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. This enterprise Linux software is preferred by the U.S. government to transfer data, additionally adhering to all digital standards set by the Defense Information System Agency. The Stratasys software solution, named ProtectAM™ is currently available on the Fortus® 450mc™, with hopes of adding the F900® by the end of the year. More FDM machines will follow suit in Q1 and Q2 of next year.
A step in the direction of cyber security could open up different avenues for other industries to add that extra layer of security to their enterprises. With all of the HIPAA regulations, perhaps we may see the medical professions utilize this software for machines like the J750 Digital Anatomy.
