In decline: cybersecurity innovation among miners has dropped off in the last year 

Research and innovation in cybersecurity in the mining industry operations and technologies sector has declined in the last year. 

The most recent figures show that the number of related patent applications in the industry stood at 29 in the three months ending April, down from 37 over the same period in 2021. 

Figures for patent grants related to followed a different pattern to filings, growing from 17 in the three months ending April 2021 to 19 in the same period in 2022. 

The figures are compiled by GlobalData, which tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into key thematic areas and linked to key companies across various industries. 

Cybersecurity is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData. It has been identified as being a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years, and is one of the areas that companies investing resources in now are expected to reap rewards from. The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector. 

Honeywell International was the top innovator in the mining industry operations and technologies sector in the latest quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in the US, filed 25 related patents in the three months ending April. That was down from 36 over the same period in 2021. 

It was followed by the US-based Caterpillar with three patent applications and Sweden-based Atlas Copco with one application.