Pentagon, the headquarters for United States Department of Defense has issued a special cyber threat alert to the military sector using Additive Manufacturing(AM) through 3D printing technology. The warning says that military agencies are using the systems without knowing the fact that they are suffering with certain vulnerabilities that could put the entire DoD information network into deep trouble from state funded hackers and individuals.
According to a report published by the DoD Inspector General, a single compromise in the AM design data could allow a hacker to mimic the design and learn the architecture of a weapon/automobile used in a battlefield within no time. This could thus create an edge to them over their enemy and lead them to victory.
What if the hackers change the design of an AM system that could affect the potential and utility of the 3D printed products?
DoD Component officials say that they reviewed products created by six agencies dealing with AM systems and all were found to be lacking basic security measures that allow the bad guys to conduct unauthorized changes, thus negatively affect the integrity of the design data.
Therefore, DOD is urging all CIOs of additive manufacturing systems to follow NIST security protocols that are followed by other companies to safeguard their information technology systems- in compliance with the federal and DoD guidance.
Note- Additive Manufacturing is a kind of technology that uses Computer Aided 3D Printing to create lighter and more complex designs which are otherwise expensive and too difficult to build by using traditional dies, molds, milling and machinery. It is used to build parts and tools for applications related to Aerospace, Automotive, healthcare, and other product manufacturing sectors using materials such as thermoplastics, metals, ceramics and biochemicals. Nowadays, Additive Manufacturing technology is integrating the technology of AI to design and manufacture weaponry in defense sector that not only saves time, but is also proving cost effective, such as the missile parts.
