Technology company Siemens and digital transformation consultants Digital Technologies Group (DTG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance manufacturers’ ability to measure and manage cyber security risks in their operations.

The new MoU will see DTG’s Cyber Assessment Tool (CAST), which provides users with access to a robust industrial cyber risk management hub, rolled out across Siemens’ open business platform Xcelerator, and deployment of the solution to their joint customer base begin.

Integrated with Mendix – Siemens’ low-code software development platform – CAST builds a digital inventory of all Operational Technology (OT) assets like robotic manufacturing arms, sensors, and controllers, allowing users to assess, quantify, and visualise cyber risks.

The multi-site product is also built to assess and manage a company’s full portfolio of manufacturing sites, enabling significant time savings and greater visibility of organisation-wide cyber security readiness.

This equips manufacturers with a standardised method of measuring compliance to cyber security standards, enabling them to formulate a risk mitigation plan to close any gaps found.

Paul Hingley, Business Manager for Communication Products, Cyber Security and Safety Services at Siemens, said: “Cyber security threats are growing in scale, evolving at pace, and becoming ever more complex. Its significance to industry is reflected by the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill being announced as one of the new Government’s first actions in office.

“It’s more important than ever that we’re leveraging the full expertise of our partner ecosystem to create practical, integrated solutions to help manufacturers derisk and simplify the cyber risk management process. DTG’s solution is a prime example of the innovative thinking required to reach this goal.”

Steven Kenny, Chief Technical Officer at DTG, said: “Industry is embracing digital transformation, leading to cyber security transitioning from a grudge purchase for firms to a strategic necessity. CAST allows for the consistent end-to-end evaluation of operating standards and practises that will be key in facilitating this.

“Our new partnership with Siemens represents a key next step in our journey together, having already utilised the Mendix platform to fast-track our development roadmap. It enables us to improve coverage and responsiveness to meet the needs of our clients as they continue to evolve.”