“Always-On” Social Operations: Panasonic Technologies Supporting Safe Frontline Environments, Reliable Infrastructure, and Trusted Data

“In factories, buildings, and renewable energy facilities, interrupting operations itself can lead directly to major losses,” says Hideki Matsushima, General Manager of the Product Security Center at Panasonic Holdings Corporation (PHD).

With the progress of IT integration in social infrastructure, the use of IoT and cloud technologies is rapidly expanding within the operational technology (OT) domain to monitor and control equipment and devices in various sites such as factories, buildings, and renewable energy facilities. As more devices and equipment become connected to networks, the risk of cyberattacks is also increasing significantly.

In response to these trends, the Panasonic Group is strengthening OT security, building on approximately 40 years of security technology development that began with encryption and authentication technologies for AV equipment and recording media. In 2024, with 2,620 cybersecurity-related patents, the Panasonic Group ranked first in Japan in a survey conducted by Patent Result Co., Ltd. that assesses not only the number of patents but also their quality and influence. Leveraging these strengths, the Group supports the safe operation of diverse sites that underpin social infrastructure.

Matsushima explains: “To take an extreme example, even if a malware*1 infection occurs, there are cases where it’s better not to halt operation immediately and instead assess the impact on the frontline. To prevent the spread of damage and minimize impact without stopping operations, operators need not only knowledge of cyberattacks but also a deep understanding of on-site operations, equipment configurations, and operational methods to make the best decisions for both security and business continuity.”

*1. Malware: Software designed to cause unauthorized actions on computers or devices.