"COMMA Project Explores How Cybersecurity Affects Business Relationships and Risk Experiences"
Data connectivity requires cybersecurity and safety for mobile work machines used in mining, port logistics, forestry, and more. Turku School of Economics (TSE) began a two-year research project aimed at developing new cybersecurity services for machine systems. VTT is coordinating the project, which also includes Tampere University, Sandvik Mining and Construction, Cargotec Finland, Ponsse, and Netox. The COMMA project explores how safety and security-based value is created throughout the entire system lifespan and how new businesses are developed from the identified value in the context of mobile machines. The project brings together experts in business, technology, and human aspects to develop new scientific methods and outcomes that can be used in businesses, particularly to develop new cybersecurity services. Machine manufacturers are seeking new ways to increase their customer value through new cyber-secure services. The project's central research topic is value creation based on safety and security. According to Research Director Marikka Heikkilä, the TSE research group conducts case studies with companies focusing on managing customer risk experiences as well as organizing cybersecurity and business continuity in inter-organizational relationships. Because software is now an essential component of mobile machines, cybersecurity and business continuity must be integrated into the machines and their development processes. A cyberattack can disrupt customers' business operations, and machine manufacturers want to protect their customers' organizations. Inter-organizational security and continuity relationships can become complex, so the project will get better insight into them from a technical and business perspective. This article continues to discuss the COMMA project's exploration of how cybersecurity impacts business relationships and customers' risk experience.