Silicon Safeguards: Securing the Circuit Board Supply Chain Part 3: The Human Factor in Cybersecurity “Amateurs hack systems; professionals hack people.” (Schneier, 2011) In the first two parts of this series, we have looked at some of the base-level concepts to explore to begin to protect your company from cybersecurity threats. Through some planning and
Silicon Safeguards: Securing the Circuit Board Supply Chain Part 2: Implementing Effective Cybersecurity Controls Introduction to Effective Cybersecurity Implementation After understanding the importance of cybersecurity in circuit board manufacturing, as discussed in Part 1, the next step is to delve into the practical aspects of implementing effective cybersecurity controls. In a manufacturing landscape where threats
Silicon Safeguards: Securing the Circuit Board Supply Chain Part 1: Emphasizing Cybersecurity Best Practices in Circuit Board Manufacturing Introduction to Cybersecurity in Manufacturing When selecting vendors for their manufacturing projects, our customers have several factors to consider, such as timelines, quality, and expertise. Cybersecurity responsibility must also factor into the decision. Cybersecurity is like a
Various industry sectors have specific requirements for traceability of components used in the manufacturing process. CIC, Inc. has developed protocols and procedures within the Receiving and Kitting Processes to meet specific industry requirements. For the aerospace industry, the Kitting process includes maintaining the original manufacturer’s documentation for traceability. For PCB assemblies under FAA regulations, CIC,
Some assembly designs can require 100's of different components. Those components are purchased through a variety of Authorized Distributors. With complicated builds requiring hundreds of components, it is not unusual to purchase from 5 to 15 different distribution sources. Imagine the time, attention, and manpower it takes to place, receive, inspect, approve and organize for
Designing a printed circuit board and choosing the right electronic components to ensure the performance is a skill. Giving the design longevity and component viability is the skill of a component engineer. The contribution of the dedicated component engineer would include lifecycle issues and to source appropriate substitutes for obsolete components. The component engineer also
Knowing when to source materials can accelerate the schedule of your PCB build and significantly reduce the transition from engineering design phase to product delivery. Purchasing material too early can result in procuring material that may be unnecessary for the final design. Likewise, waiting too long to begin the purchasing will likely lead to an
The entire process of successfully producing a populated, functional PCB Board is fraught with details and pitfalls. Managing PCB assembly project means managing every element of the production from start to finish. Typically, a single entity is not the sole source for the bare board, the components, and the assembly. Often, there are complimentary partnerships
The process of procuring PCB component materials and kitting varies depending on the requirement of PCB Assembly facility chosen. If the kitting source does not take the assembly requirements into consideration, there could be a great deal of waste and over-expenditure for the PCB materials. Choose the assembly facility prior to preparing a quote for
Knowing when to source materials can accelerate the schedule of your PCB build and significantly reduce the transition from engineering design phase to product delivery. Purchasing material too early can result in procuring material that may be unnecessary for the final design. Likewise, waiting too long to begin the purchasing will likely lead to an
