As manufacturing lines are transformed through connecting more components to the internet, manufacturers see increases in energy efficiency, productivity and cost savings, however, it also creates new vulnerabilities – manufacturers must also protect their advanced manufacturing systems from cyberattack. 
 
“In theory, people could hack into a manufacturing line and do all kinds of things that could be detrimental,” said Paris Stringfellow, a program director at Clemson. “We’ll be creating the tools and enabling the skills that manufacturers can use to protect themselves. This is more important than ever as manufacturers are revisiting the design and resiliency of their manufacturing lines and supply chains in light of the recent COVID-19 disruptions.”
 
Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII), a $111 million public-private partnership, has been developed to address these issues through collaborative research and development in three high priority areas: securing automation, securing the supply chain network, and building a national program for education and workforce development. CyManII is a consortium of 59 proposed member institutions.
 
As a managing partner in the new Institute, one of Clemson University’s primary roles will be to create state-of-the-art educational programs for the manufacturing workforce. Companies will be able to access a suite of cybersecurity services through the Institute. Clemson’s efforts will be led by Paris Stringfellow, a program director at Clemson, who also serves as the chief commercialization officer for CyManII.