Consumer Packaged Goods Leader Church & Dwight Selects Rockwell Automation to Increase Manufacturing Cybersecurity Resilience

Rhea-AI Summary

Rockwell Automation partners with Church & Dwight to enhance OT cybersecurity program, addressing rising cyberattack risks in manufacturing. The collaboration aims to strengthen security measures, identify vulnerabilities, and develop a remediation roadmap.

Insights

Cybersecurity Expert

The partnership between Church & Dwight and Rockwell Automation signifies a strategic move to bolster defenses against the increasing threat of cyberattacks in the manufacturing sector. The collaboration emphasizes the growing recognition that operational technology (OT) requires a level of security that parallels traditional information technology (IT) systems. The initiative to enhance OT cybersecurity is critical, as the manufacturing industry is becoming a more frequent target for cybercriminals due to its integral role in critical infrastructure and the potential for significant disruption.

From a cybersecurity perspective, the integration of continuous monitoring and managed OT services is a proactive step. This approach not only aims to identify vulnerabilities but also ensures that threat detection and response capabilities are operational around the clock. The alignment of IT and OT security practices is essential for a comprehensive security posture, as it acknowledges that the convergence of these once-separate networks can create new vulnerabilities if not managed effectively.

The implications for stakeholders include a potential reduction in the risk of production downtime, which can lead to financial losses and damage to brand reputation. Furthermore, by demonstrating a commitment to robust cybersecurity measures, Church & Dwight may also strengthen its position as a reliable partner in the eyes of customers, suppliers and investors.

Financial Analyst

The announcement of Church & Dwight's strengthened cybersecurity measures, in partnership with Rockwell Automation, is likely to be viewed favorably by investors and market analysts. Cybersecurity is a critical component of risk management and proactive investments in this area can protect against the potentially devastating financial impacts of cyber incidents. This includes not only direct costs related to breaches, such as fines and recovery efforts, but also indirect costs like lost revenue due to operational disruption and reputational damage.

For Rockwell Automation, this partnership showcases their capabilities in a vital area of need, potentially opening doors to new market opportunities and strengthening customer loyalty. The ability to deliver comprehensive OT cybersecurity solutions can differentiate Rockwell in the competitive industrial automation landscape, possibly leading to increased market share and revenue growth.

Investors should monitor the effectiveness of these cybersecurity initiatives over time, as they may become a benchmark for industry best practices and influence the valuation of both companies involved.

IT/OT Convergence Specialist

The announcement of the partnership between Church & Dwight and Rockwell Automation highlights the critical trend of IT/OT convergence. This trend is driven by the need for integrated systems that can manage and analyze data across both information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) to optimize production processes, improve efficiency and enhance security.

The integration of IT and OT systems can be complex due to their different priorities, with IT focusing on data and information flow and OT prioritizing control systems and physical processes. Bridging this gap requires a nuanced understanding of both domains to implement effective cybersecurity measures that do not impede operational efficiency. The collaboration between Church & Dwight and Rockwell Automation indicates a tailored approach to security, one that is cognizant of the unique challenges present in the manufacturing sector.

As industries continue to embrace digital transformation, the expertise in managing and securing IT/OT integrated environments will become increasingly valuable. Companies that can demonstrate this expertise are likely to gain a competitive advantage and set industry standards for best practices in cybersecurity.

Church & Dwight partners with Rockwell Automation to uplevel OT cybersecurity program, implementing rigorous security standards

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced it has been selected by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE: CHD) to strengthen the consumer goods company’s cybersecurity program. Church & Dwight chose Rockwell specifically to help build resiliency and minimize risks in its operational technology (OT) manufacturing security practices.

The number of cyberattacks against manufacturing and critical infrastructure continues to rise. A recent report found critical manufacturing was one of the most frequently attacked verticals in the OT/industrial control system (ICS) sector. With several global consumer brands under its umbrella, Church & Dwight recognized the critical impact and importance of a strong OT security posture and enlisted Rockwell. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of its manufacturing risk profile by identifying critical assets, vulnerabilities and security gaps. After examining and prioritizing risk, Rockwell collaborated with Church & Dwight to develop a remediation roadmap, new security policies, and other measures to minimize risks.

“We selected Rockwell Automation because we were looking for a new partner to help us uplevel our OT and manufacturing security posture. We knew we needed the best of the best who understood our vision,” said David Ortiz, chief information security officer (CISO) at Church & Dwight. “Throughout our work with Rockwell Automation on our OT cybersecurity program, we’ve gained a thorough understanding of our cybersecurity landscape and the tools needed.”

“At Rockwell Automation, we firmly believe in helping organizations recognize the importance of OT cybersecurity,” said Mark Cristiano, global commercial director at Rockwell. "Over the course of our partnership with Church & Dwight, we have implemented new security controls and processes and have already seen a dramatic shift in the company's OT practices. We are proud to leverage our best-in-class partnerships to help Church & Dwight achieve its cybersecurity goals.”

As a longtime Rockwell Industrial Solutions customer, Church & Dwight expanded its partnership in 2020 to advance their Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program initiative. Since then, Church & Dwight has achieved its cybersecurity objectives in mitigating risks and understanding its OT landscape. Once threat detection capabilities were in place, Church & Dwight implemented continuous monitoring through managed OT services from Rockwell. These managed services integrate and support Church & Dwight’s current IT Security Operations Center, bridging the gap between IT and OT networks, and mitigating cyber risks across the enterprise.

To read more about the Church & Dwight and Rockwell Automation partnership, visit: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/company/news/case-studies/church-dwight-ot-cybersecurity.html

About Church & Dwight

Church & Dwight Co., Inc., founded in 1846, is the leading U.S. producer of sodium bicarbonate, popularly known as baking soda. The Company manufactures and markets a wide range of personal care, household, and specialty products under recognized brand names such as ARM & HAMMER^®, TROJAN™, OXICLEAN™, SPINBRUSH™, FIRST RESPONSE™, NAIR™, ORAJEL™, XTRA™, L’IL CRITTERS™ and VITAFUSION™, BATISTE™, WATERPIK^®, ZICAM^®, THERABREATH™, and HERO MIGHTY PATCH^®. These 14 key brands represent approximately 85% of the Company’s product sales. For more information, visit the Company’s website.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a global leader in industrial automation and secure digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 29,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise^® to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240313204374/en/

Michelle Stange

Public Relations Lead

+1 414-218-8008

Michelle.Stange@rockwellautomation.com

Source: Rockwell Automation Inc.

FAQ

What partnership was announced in the press release involving Rockwell Automation?

Rockwell Automation partnered with Church & Dwight to enhance the consumer goods company's cybersecurity program.

Why did Church & Dwight select Rockwell Automation for their cybersecurity needs?

Church & Dwight chose Rockwell to help build resiliency and minimize risks in its operational technology (OT) manufacturing security practices.

What was the goal of the partnership between Rockwell Automation and Church & Dwight?

The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of Church & Dwight's manufacturing risk profile by identifying critical assets, vulnerabilities, and security gaps.

How has Church & Dwight benefited from the collaboration with Rockwell Automation?

Church & Dwight has achieved its cybersecurity objectives in mitigating risks and understanding its OT landscape through the partnership.

What services did Rockwell Automation provide to Church & Dwight to enhance cybersecurity?

Rockwell implemented new security controls, processes, and threat detection capabilities, along with managed OT services for continuous monitoring.