Compliance IEC 62443-4-2

The need to secure components

The IEC 62443-4-2 section describes the requirements, which were set out in advance, that the components of a control system need to implement in order to achieve a certain security level.

Moreover, manufacturers can certify their products in this standard to prove that a component has all the necessary measures at each security level.

  • Asset owners

    To reassure them that the devices they install on their systems have some minimum security features.

  • Product suppliers

    They may refer to the standard to see what set of security measures they have to add to adapt to any of the defined security levels.

  • System integrators

    They can find out the capabilities of the assets, to configure them according to the security level defined by the asset manager.

  • Compliance authorities

    They can make use this regulation when carrying out compliance audits.

Types of components in a industrial system

Software applications (SAs) such as SCADA or antivirus software.

Embedded devices (EDs), such as PLC, DCS, and IEDs (Intelligent Electronic Devices)

Host devices (HDs), where the engineering stations, the data historian and the operations computer stand out.

Network devices (NDs), such as firewalls, switches and routers.

The IEC 62443-4-2 document inherits the requirement specifications from another document in the series, IEC 62443-3-3, which is discussed in article Security level according to IEC 62443-3-3 in Industrial Control Systems. Besides the requirements, this document also inherits security levels, albeit it qualifies them and adapts them to each of the defined device types.

Who needs to comply with IEC 62443-4-2?

Manufacturers and suppliers of industrial automation and control system (IACS) components need to comply with IEC 62443-4-2. This includes vendors of:

  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
  • Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs)
  • Remote Terminal Units (RTUs)
  • Embedded devices, software applications, and network components

Compliance ensures these components meet specific technical cybersecurity requirements to support secure system integration.

How is compliance with IEC 62443-4-2 certified?

Compliance is typically certified through third-party certification bodies that assess:

  • The product’s technical security capabilities (aligned with the 4-2 standard)
  • Conformance with Security Levels (SL1 to SL4) based on threat resistance
  • The implementation of cybersecurity controls across the 7 Foundational Requirements (e.g., access control, system integrity, data confidentiality)

Certification often includes documentation review, testing, and audit of the product and its development practices.

What benefits does compliance with IEC 62443-4-2 offer?

Compliance provides several key benefits:

  • Market Differentiation: Demonstrates the product meets internationally recognized security requirements
  • Customer Trust: Enhances credibility with clients seeking secure industrial solutions
  • Regulatory Alignment: Supports compliance with broader cybersecurity regulations (e.g., NIS2, NERC CIP)
  • Risk Reduction: Minimizes vulnerabilities in components, reducing attack surfaces in critical infrastructure
  • Interoperability: Ensures components can be securely integrated into systems meeting IEC 62443-3-3 requirements
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