Securing connected industry

The digital economy relies on us being able to exchange data securely and link it efficiently. Fraunhofer President Prof. Reimund Neugebauer said: "The Industrial Data Space is opening up smart services and new and innovative business models and processes. Now we can continuously monitor goods in transit, for instance, share production facilities, and even connect sensitive medical data to make more effective use of it."

Prof Heinz Jörg Fuhrmann, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Salzgitter AG as well as Senate Chairman of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, explained the advantages from an industry perspective: "Take the many different forms of steel production: an incredibly complex process that generates huge quantities of digital information. Using this data effectively is a significant challenge -- not just in terms of ongoing internal optimization but also increasingly in terms of ensuring the rapid exchange of data with our customers. This is why we consider the Industrial Data Space such an important step in Salzgitter AG's future as a capable partner to demanding international customers." Industrial Data Space e.V. Chairman Dr. Reinhold Achatz, Chief Technology Officer at thyssenkrupp, added: "A key part of industry's digital transformation is ensuring that companies can exchange data securely. This adds value by unlocking new products, smart services and new, digital business models. The Industrial Data Space ensures that industrial enterprises remain competitive and independent of IT companies. The association already counts eighteen notable members that are working together to aggregate the interests of user companies and drive forward standardization. Further applications for membership are in progress, and the organization welcomes international members, too.

The exhibit showcases how companies and objects can connect securely with one another to exchange freight papers, monitor deliveries or flexibly organize transport routes. For instance, a container could book itself a new flight if it happened to miss its scheduled transport at the airport; this delay would then immediately be conveyed to the other points affected within the network. What are known as connectors ensure that data is sent only to the intended recipient.