Cyber-physical systems: definition, components, and security
Blog post from New Relic
Cyber-physical systems (CPS) integrate digital and physical realms by combining sensing, computation, control, and networking into physical objects, enhancing automation and efficiency across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These systems allow for real-time interaction between computational and physical domains, utilizing sensors, actuators, and communication infrastructure to monitor and manipulate environments. Security poses a significant challenge for CPS, with the need for strategies that protect both data and physical operations from vulnerabilities. Artificial intelligence and blockchain technology are emerging as crucial tools in enhancing CPS security through advanced threat detection and tamper-evident record-keeping. As CPS evolves, it is expected to achieve higher autonomy levels, potentially transforming industries with innovations such as quantum computing, digital twins, and neuromorphic computing. The complexity of CPS necessitates robust observability solutions to prevent operational issues and ensure system reliability, with platforms like New Relic offering tools to capture telemetry and detect anomalies in real-time.