The Critical Role of ISA/IEC 62443 4 2 Certified Computers in Industrial Cybersecurity

Achieving ISA/IEC 62443-4-2 certification indicates that a product has undergone rigorous testing and is proven to effectively manage cybersecurity threats. For industrial computers at the core of many critical infrastructure systems, this certification is essential for ensuring these devices are equipped to protect against, detect, and respond to potential cyber incidents. By utilising certified components, companies can not only reduce security-related expenses but also avoid the time consuming and expensive development of complex security solutions.

Relation to Other Standards

While ISA/IEC 62443-4-2 is tailored specifically towards components of industrial systems, ISO27001 is an international standard for information security management systems (ISMS) applicable across various types of organisations worldwide. In the United States, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) serves a similar purpose by providing a policy framework of computer security guidance for how private sector organisations can assess and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber attacks. These standards emphasise risk management and security controls, each addressing these concerns from slightly different angles suitable for their respective regional applications.

Regulatory compliance and the role of IEC 62443-4-2

• Machinery Directive:Although primarily focused on the physical aspects of machinery safety, the integration of certified industrial computers can contribute to overall machinery compliance, especially in systems where software controls are critical.
• NIS 2 Directive:Aligning with the NIS 2 requirements, the ISA/IEC 62443-4-2 certified components ensure enhanced security measures, critical for operators of essential services and digital service providers in the EU. Compliance with these standards ensures that industrial computers are fortified against disruptions to the essential services they support.
• Cyber Resilience Act (CRA):This forthcoming EU regulation stresses the resilience of digital products, including industrial computers. Certification under ISA/IEC 62443-4-2 places products in a favorable position to meet these new requirements.
• US IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act:For manufacturers selling to US federal agencies, compliance with stringent cybersecurity standards such as ISA/IEC 62443-4-2 can facilitate adherence to this act, which mandates that IoT devices purchased by the federal government meet specific security standards.