Proven Best Path to Secure Resilient Semiconductor Manufacturing in the Era of AI

Security in the semiconductor industry is a critical factor underpinning both corporate competitiveness and national economic security. Semiconductors are strategic materials that support nearly all industries, including automobiles, telecommunications equipment, medical devices, and defense systems. If their design technologies or manufacturing processes are leaked due to an attack or accident or if production is halted by a collapse in manufacturing, it can have 

severe consequences for both corporate survival and national security. 

At the same time, the benefits of AI and automation, particularly through cyber-physical systems, are immense for the semiconductor industry. Today, the relationship between semiconductors andAI/automation is inseparable. For example, machine learning programs are used to derive design parameters that optimize chip performance and power consumption, while real-time analysis ofsensor data during manufacturing enables equipment adjustments, defect detection, yield improvements, and enhanced quality control. AI now plays an essential role in both design andmanufacturing. 

However, in such highly integrated environments, where all systems are interconnected, every component becomes a potential entry point for attackers. To enable AI and automation, manufacturers open data communication channels, allow third-party access, and integrate multiple ecosystems. These efforts, while necessary, inadvertently expand the attack surface and create vulnerabilities that can outpace existing security measures. 

Moreover, in recent years, geopolitical tensions have intensified industrial espionage, while globalized supply chains have broadened security risks. The leakage of intellectual property can also cause significant damage to corporate value. Therefore, security measures in the semiconductor industry should not be seen as mere costs, but as essential requirements for sustainable growth and the protection of national competitiveness. 

Nevertheless, OT cybersecurity presents particularly difficult challenges. Beyond its technical complexity, it can affect operations and often becomes a political issue within organizations. Many teams hesitate to modify existing systems or adopt new security measures due to the risk of downtime. Additionally, gaps in knowledge and priorities between IT security teams and operational technology (OT) teams are common, and many organizations lack a clearly defined owner of OT security responsibilities. 

This session will address strategies for overcoming these OT cybersecurity challenges and ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure such as semiconductor manufacturing, which is vital tocorporate competitiveness and national economic security. We will introduce a reference cybersecurity architecture tailored for the semiconductor industry, discuss the shared goals of  

cybersecurity and manufacturing operations, and present effective best practices—including real—world examples—for securing cyber-physical systems while maximizing the return on security investments.