Cyber security protects internet-connected devices and data from various online threats. Businesses require cyber security to safeguard their data, intellectual property, and money. The global cyber security market size in 2021 was $216.10 billion, and by 2030 it will reach $478.68 billion, at a 9.5% CAGR during 2021-2030.

Collaborative robots work with human workers in a shared, collaborative workspace. A collaborative robot is responsible for menial, repetitive tasks in most applications, while a human worker completes more complex tasks. The uptime, accuracy, and repeatability of collaborative robots are intended to supplement a human worker’s intelligence and problem-solving skills.

The collaborative market size in 2021 was worth $701 Million, and it will reach $2506.90 Million by 2030 at a CAGR of 15.2% during the forecast period. 

Collaborative robots heavily depend on information technology to create a fenceless collaborative environment between humans and robots. Cybersecurity threats in collaborative robots are particularly serious because the consequences of an attack can range from data theft to product damage and human injuries.

Benefits of collaborative robots in the workplace

Collaborative robots have several advantages over standard industrial robots because of their flexibility. They can help the warehouse, production line, or construction site employees by taking on several heavy, unergonomic, and time-consuming duties. Collaborative robots support workers in areas like final assembly that are difficult to automate and are more likely to be the cause of worker injuries in larger organizations like car manufacturers with automated production lines already in place.

Major consequences of cyber-attack on collaborative robots 

• Safety: Cobots are designed to operate in a human-friendly environment. Any unauthorized changes to its security procedures may risk this critical function.
• Integrity: If the integrity of a robot is compromised, it is no longer fit for its intended purpose.
• Accuracy: Small malicious changes to a robot’s precision can risk product integrity, while large changes can endanger the robot itself.

One of the most serious problems emerges when the robot’s safety, integrity, and accuracy are practically unnoticeable.

Cybersecurity risks that can affect the collaborative robot

• Unsecured surrounding

Industry 4.0 refers to the digitization of important activities in manufacturing and other sectors. It has caused significant concern, particularly in the IIoT (industrial internet of things). IIoT is a subtype of the internet of things, and both describe the growing network of sensors and gadgets linked via networks.

Various devices in both IoT and IIoT may be security records. However, collaborative robots may not be at risk, but cybercriminals can use the connectivity to reach the cobot. 

While integrating cobots with IIoT gadgets, companies need to ensure the safety of these devices. Businesses must ensure that the manufacturers of IIoT devices follow strict software security policies. If the companies fail to secure their devices, it can put cobots at cybersecurity risk.

• Industrial Intelligence

Cyber intelligence focusing on private and public targets poses significant cyber security threats. Securing the company’s corporate research, financial status, new goods, and data is essential. Losing control over these data can have serious consequences.

Direct cyberattacks, USB drives, malware- and virus-infected websites, and phishing emails are all possible entry points for cyber intelligence. Such attacks aim to collect crucial data, which may include information that travels between cobot and other firm sources, whether mainstream systems or individuals.

Cyber spies will likely gather important data regarding prototypes or product specifications by gaining access to such information.

• Cybercrime; Hostage or malware situations

Cyber intelligence could lead to crimes, such as malware, that target computers in an organization.

Malware can replicate and spread to other systems. When the cobot connect to a vulnerable system, whether for program modification or other maintenance-related duties, it becomes vulnerable to infection. If the virus is designed to control the security exposure of the unpatched cobots, it eventually puts itself in danger.

There are two specific categories of cyber danger that can harm cobots. The first focuses on destroying specific software or cobot brands. It targets a specific vulnerability, gains access, and corrupts the gadget processes. The second type is automated assaults against common base system vulnerabilities.

It has the potential to affect collaborative robots and other industrial automation systems. These attacks can have a wide range of consequences, including the complete shutdown of the facility, and the recovery procedure can be costly and time-consuming.