Unlocking the Hidden Risks: Why Functional Safety and Cybersecurity Can't Be Afterthoughts in Critical Industries

Written By Jaime Rojero

At Proventus Group, we believe that strong functional safety (FS) and cybersecurity (CS) foundations aren't just "good practices" — they are mission-critical pillars for organizations operating in high-stakes industries.

Today, we are proud to share an important new whitepaper:
"Implications of Inadequate Functional Safety and Cybersecurity in Critical Industries"
Authored by our own Jaime Rojero, this in-depth analysis explores the catastrophic consequences that can arise when functional safety and cybersecurity are treated as "tick-the-box" exercises rather than as essential engineering disciplines.

Why This Matters

Across industries like automotive, manufacturing, medical devices, and aerospace, real-world case studies demonstrate a sobering truth:

  • Non-compliance or minimal compliance with FS and CS standards can lead to accidents, multi-billion-dollar financial losses, legal penalties, and irreparable reputational damage.

  • Organizations that fail to integrate both safety and security into their DNA risk becoming the next high-profile failure story.

  • Even "paper compliance" — where standards are technically met but not meaningfully implemented — has led to tragedies and industry-wide reforms.

What You'll Learn in the Whitepaper

This whitepaper walks through:

  • Two Scenarios: Total non-compliance vs. minimal "tick-the-box" compliance

  • Industry-Specific Examples: From Toyota's unintended acceleration crisis to cybersecurity breaches in industrial plants

  • Key Standards Compared: ISO 26262, IEC 61508, ISO 14971, DO-178C, and emerging cybersecurity frameworks

  • The Hidden Costs: How operational disruptions, lawsuits, and lost trust can sink even the biggest players

  • Practical Lessons: Why true commitment to functional safety and cybersecurity is not optional — it is strategic.

A Call to Action

At Proventus, we advocate for a future where engineering excellence and proactive risk management are core to every organization’s success strategy.

If you lead or work within critical industries, this whitepaper is a must-read to understand not just compliance obligations, but what it truly takes to protect lives, assets, and reputations in the modern age.

📅 Read the Full Whitepaper Here: Implications_of_Inadequate_FS_and Cybersec_in_Critical_Industries.pdf

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Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Jaime Rojero