New guidelines for data protection and sharing 17 May 2018

With the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in mind, a European Union law detailing guidelines for data protection and privacy that comes into effect 25 May 2018, Sandvik has released its data interoperability policy, outlining the principles by which its systems, equipment and tools share data in the digital ecosystem underground.

The GDPR also applies to the export of personal data outside the EU, and will harmonize data privacy laws across Europe.

Sandvik Optimine interface

“Although the GDPR is a European regulation, we aspire to apply the same level of rigour regarding data privacy across the world, wherever we operate,” said Patrick Murphy, President, Rock Drills and Technologies, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology.

The Sandvik data interoperability policy allows for data privacy and security whilst ensuring the customer retains all rights to information related to the use and application of their equipment. Data accessibility, fleet data compatibility, data rights and control and data privacy are detailed in the policy which is available to customers on the Sandvik customer portal.

“In their desire for the optimal safety, productivity and profitability of their underground operations, our customers are looking to digital technologies to enable optimized processes,” said Murphy. “Sandvik systems and equipment will form a key part of the digital ecosystems at underground sites in the future.”

The systems from Sandvik are also able to work within and exchange data with the larger digital ecosystem of a customers site. Sandvik also hopes to shape industry standards in data interoperability.

“Our customers have asked whether they can access equipment health and productivity data from the solutions that we provide them,” said Murphy. “Currently over 1,000 machines are connected to our cloud-connected productivity and eCommerce platforms, My Sandvik, Automine and OptiMine, allowing raw data to be accessed by the customer, with interfaces being produced for further models.”

The data interoperability policy from Sandvik explains how data can be accessed, depending on the customer fleet – i.e. at equipment level, at server level onsite or within the cloud. And how it is protected.

“We know that cloud-based data processing services offer advantages over local server based solutions, and are critical in leveraging the full potential of the industrial Internet of Things,” said Manny Maloney, General Counsel at Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology. “Access to data needs to be defined and restricted, because it is often operator-related and commercially-sensitive.”

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is part of the Sandvik Group and supplies equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the underground construction industry. Specialising in rock drilling, rock cutting, crushing and screening, loading and hauling, tunneling, breaking and demolition it has 15,000 employees worldwide and sales in 2017 of SEK37 billion.