Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1494936
14 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2023 but they certainly are challenged to keep up on the CapEx side of things for technology. Now, burden them one more step with all the CMMC compliance, and it becomes difficult to see how that's a winning business proposition for them. Broadening the markets that should be viewed as trusted—for example, communi- cations and electrical infrastructure, medical devices, transportation, etc.—would certainly go a long way in providing an opportunity for more PCB shops to grow, invest, and prosper. e net/net would be a stronger industry to support the DoD and our nation's security. I know that you're very aware of the activ- ity around advanced packaging. The boards we make today, especially in your sector, are much more complex than they used to be. Do we have the expertise in the U.S. to build out the industry in the way it ought to be? Certainly not right now. I don't think it's feasi- ble without some type of government/indus- try partnership and commitment. I think the answer lies in bringing together the thought leaders and the demonstrated high perform- ers to solve the problem. It takes money and cooper- ative engagement to solve these big issues. Data Security You just made the point that the time for the high- est security mindset is now, and that there is a move toward a more digital flow of data through the entire manufacturing chain. Those two trends dovetail together, don't they? Yes. It's the operational tech- nology, and for the inputs for the machine, that data is required for them to work their magic. You either are digital and secure or you are not; there's no middle ground. Oth- erwise, it's the weakest link in the chain. What's your perspective on the effectiveness and the role of the capital equipment manu- facturers regarding CMMC? It's been three years since the announcement, and CMMC is not yet live. It started as, "We have to protect the controlled unclassified information (CUI); these are the rules for how you operate in this framework." I think the more they have learned, the more they've had to adjust and broaden the participants to achieve that goal. It's more than just protec- tion of the Gerber data and the drawings that are associated with building a printed cir- cuit board; it's deeper than that. How do you accomplish that objective? Don't let perfect get in the way of good enough; you must start somewhere. ere are multiple instances that have been reported where data has been transferred out of our country and is in use by adversary nations. If you start with the pro- tection of data, then you must solve this in Electroless copper plating line.