NEWS
Cybersecurity 101: The Difference Between IT and OT Attacks According to 2021 Cybersecurity: Assess Your Risk, a report from PMMI Business Intelligence, Information Technology (IT) attacks “specifically target the enterprise IT systems at a manufacturer, seeking to gain entry through vectors such as email, a CRM system, or an ERP program, which can span across an operation.” Operational Technology (OT) attacks exploit systems on the plant floor through vectors such as individual sensors on the production line, SCADA/HMI panels, or even unsecured PLCs. Motion and vision systems have been targeted by malware attacks, so it’s key that manufacturers know their updates come from trusted suppliers. IT and OT networks can be connected to some extent, causing vulnerabilities to both ends of the operation. An example would be having access to an ERP system directly on the plant floor. —Kim Overstreet
COVID-19 and Drug Diversion: Incidents Left Undiscovered Healthcare compliance analytics firm Protenus announced new research that details the effects of clinical drug diversion on healthcare organizations, providers, and patients. The research, published in the 2021 Drug Diversion Digest, reports COVID-19 operations may have hindered close monitoring for suspicious activity. “When comparing 2020 data to that of 2019, the number of publicly reported incidents decreased by almost 61%,” says the company. “This is a stark underrepresentation of what is actually occurring across the healthcare industry, as COVID-19 created tremendously stressful working conditions for healthcare professionals, which has been known to exacerbate known drivers of drug diversion and misuse.” —Keren Sookne
Colorado Passes a Bill to Restrict the Marijuana Industry The state passed House Bill 1317 that rolls back the customer purchase limit for high-potency concentrates to 8 grams per day, roughly a fifth of the previous limit. Per MJBizDaily, it requires warnings on packages for concentrates as well as guidance on serving sizes, and authorizes a new real-time tracking system to monitor the concentrate purchase limits. It also mandates new public health research and adds rules to ensure patients 18 to 20 years old have a “substantial” relationship with their physician. A young man with severe epilepsy has already filed a lawsuit, arguing that the laws will jeopardize his access to needed medication. —Tim Hayes
Suppliers in the News + Kao Collins launched “InkAnswers,” a digital search tool that matches inkjet inks with packaging materials used in the pharma and nutraceutical industries. + Pelican BioThermal has rebranded to Peli BioThermal. + AIM revised its Standard 7351731, offering guidance for evaluating the immunity of medical devices from exposure to RFID. + Nutraceutical packaging equipment company, Nutra-Pack Systems, has launched, offering an array of new machinery. + Westfall Technik opened its 40,000 sq ft medical molding plant/clean room in Chicago. + Coldplasmatech GmbH’s PlasmaPatch for chronic wounds, developed by Schreiner ProTech, won the FINAT Innovation Award. —HCP Editors
10 | Healthcare Packaging • July/August 2021
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