Strengthening industrial cybersecurity with IEC 62443
Protect critical industrial systems against cyber threats without jeopardizing process continuity
Industrial automation and OT environments (Operational Technology) form the heart of manufacturing, energy, water, transport and infrastructure. But how do you protect these critical systems against cyber threats without jeopardizing process continuity?
IEC 62443 was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission and specifically focuses on cybersecurity in industrial environments. Unlike general information security standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, IEC 62443 is designed for manufacturing environments, process automation and critical infrastructure.
A modular standards series for the entire ecosystem
IEC 62443 is not a standalone standard, but a comprehensive and modular series. This allows the standard to align with different roles within the industrial ecosystem:
Asset Owners
Owners of installations responsible for the security of their operational environment.
System Integrators
Parties that design, build and commission industrial systems.
Product Suppliers
Manufacturers of industrial components such as PLCs, HMIs and embedded devices.
The structure of the IEC 62443 standards series
The standards are divided into four main categories. This structure enables targeted implementation and clear allocation of responsibilities.
General provisions (62443-1-x)
The foundation of the standards series. Describes basic concepts, terminology, the zone and conduit model, Security Levels (SL 1 through 4) and threat models for industrial environments.
Policies & procedures (62443-2-x)
Focused on organizational management. IEC 62443-2-1 describes the requirements for a Cyber Security Management System (CSMS), similar to an ISMS but specific to OT. IEC 62443-2-4 sets requirements for service providers and system integrators.
System requirements (62443-3-x)
Focused on securing complete industrial systems. IEC 62443-3-2 describes how risk assessments are performed and Security Levels per zone are determined. IEC 62443-3-3 contains concrete technical security requirements per Security Level.
Product requirements (62443-4-x)
Focused on manufacturers of industrial components. IEC 62443-4-1 sets requirements for a Secure Development Lifecycle (SDL). IEC 62443-4-2 contains technical security requirements for embedded devices, PLCs, HMIs and other components. Cybersecurity is built in during design and development.
Core concepts: zones, conduits and Security Levels
A key principle within IEC 62443 is network segmentation through the zone and conduit model:
Zones
Groups of systems with similar security requirements.
Conduits
Managed connections between zones.
Security Levels (SL 1-4)
An appropriate Security Level is determined per zone based on risk assessment:
This ensures security is set up proportionally and risk-driven.
uComply approach: risk-driven and practical
Industrial cybersecurity requires a different approach than IT security. Availability and safety of processes come first.
The goal: not just compliance, but demonstrable control over industrial cyber risks.
Determine Security Levels
Based on risk assessment, we determine the appropriate Security Level per zone. Proportional and tailored to your operational context.
Set up CSMS per IEC 62443-2-1
We help you set up a Cyber Security Management System specifically tailored to your industrial environment.
Evaluate suppliers and integrators
Evaluate your suppliers and system integrators against the standard. Ensure cybersecurity is secured throughout the entire chain.
Embed cybersecurity in lifecycle management
Cybersecurity becomes an integral part of projects, maintenance and the complete management of your installations.
What does it deliver?
Protection of critical processes
Minimize the risk of production downtime or safety incidents.
Clear responsibilities
Clear role division between OT, IT, management and suppliers.
International recognition
IEC 62443 is the worldwide reference for industrial cybersecurity.
Future-proof resilience
Cybersecurity integrated into the design, construction and management of installations.
Building safe industrial systems together
Cyber threats don't stop at the factory gate. IEC 62443 helps organizations structurally protect industrial automation against modern threats.
Do you want not only to meet requirements from clients or regulators, but truly gain control over OT cybersecurity? uComply supports you with a pragmatic and goal-oriented IEC 62443 implementation — tailored to your sector, processes and risk profile.