As more manufacturing processes move into the digital realm, manufacturers face an existential threat from malicious cyber actors. At Millennium Steel of Texas, which manufactures steel and aluminum components for the automotive industry, CyManII’s Cyber Readiness Program (CRP) is helping them prepare for the realities of an increasingly connected operating environment.
Cyber training opens doors to new career opportunities. Ramon Guerra is one of many employees at Millennium Steel who has benefited from the training offered by CyManII’s CRP. When Guerra heard about a project the organization was running within the Operational Technology (OT) sector of the company, he asked if he could take part. “It gave me insights into how a manufacturing network works, where before I was only aware of how common systems, like a home network, operated,” Guerra said. Empowered with new knowledge, Guerra transitioned into a new role as an Applications Engineer for Millennium Steel. In this role, he creates more efficient, responsive manufacturing processes. He credits the hands-on exposure he received from CyManII with enabling the new role. “The training gives you exposure to the tools that industry professionals use, and it helps open doors to new opportunities,” he said. “Now, I feel like there may be a path for me into leadership roles and having a bigger impact.”
Alvaro Espinosa, the C4M Laboratory Managing Engineer for CyManII, helps manage CyManII’s relationship with Millennium Steel, and he agrees. “Ramon has automated critical quality assurance measurements with direct implications for Toyota’s quality, cost, and performance standards,” Espinosa explained. “That’s the mark of a true OT engineer—driving real, measurable impact on the organization’s bottom line without ambiguity.”