In the face of growing cybersecurity threats and tightening regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), machine builders must rethink the role of industrial network devices. Cybersecurity is no longer just a feature. It is a prerequisite for market access, operational continuity, and brand reputation. IEC 62443-4-2 certified devices are emerging as key enablers in this new landscape. They not only support compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks but also simplify certification efforts, reduce integration risks, and promote long-term efficiency.
This article explores how IEC 62443-4-2 certified components contribute to hardening machines, support CE/UKCA certification processes (i.e., CE marking for the European market and UKCA marking for Great Britain, which confirm that products meet safety and performance standards), and offer a futureproof path to CRA compliance.
IEC 62443-4-2: A practical path to hardening machines
IEC 62443-4-2 defines cybersecurity requirements for individual components such as routers, switches, protocol converters, access points, industrial computers, and more. Certified devices meeting Security Level 2 (SL2) provide robust protection against intentional misuse by attackers possessing moderate resources and skills. This level aligns well with the threat models most machine builders face in real-world industrial settings.
For machine builders aligning their systems with IEC 62443-3-3, which focuses on system-level security requirements, integrating certified components becomes a strategic shortcut. Each IEC 62443-4-2 certified component brings predefined capabilities that fulfil key system-level requirements, simplifying the builder's path to compliance.
Using certified components means a machine is built on a known, tested, and independently verified security foundation. Each certified device brings capabilities like authentication, access control, secure boot, signed firmware, encrypted communication, and more. The advantage extends beyond the product. It hardens the machine itself, streamlines audits, and supports third-party system certification efforts.
Even when using non-certified versions, the benefits are tangible. All Moxa products are developed under an IEC 62443-4-1 certified process, meaning the elevated security baseline applies across the entire portfolio. Certified components uplift the overall ecosystem by enforcing better design practices, consistent patching routines, and structured response protocols.
Going beyond compliance: Built-in features that deliver real value
IEC 62443-4-2 compliance transcends mere labelling; it embodies a design philosophy that prioritizes security. Key features include:
- Routers and Wireless Access Points: Equipped with embedded firewalls and integrated IDS/IPS with Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to detect anomalies in industrial protocols.
- NAT Functionality: Supports network segmentation and conceals internal IP structures, reducing the attack surface.
- Serial Device Servers: Provide encrypted communication for legacy equipment, improving protocol security without requiring complete infrastructure upgrades.
- Protocol Converters: Not only bridge old and new systems securely but also protect against protocol abuse by verifying and controlling data exchanges between differing standards.
- Managed Switches: Enable granular traffic control, logging, and access policies features that unmanaged switches lack but are increasingly necessary for compliance and audit readiness.
A good example is the use of IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 certified ARM-based industrial computers, which provide a secure foundation for software integration. Such platforms help customers align with security-by-design principles. Moreover, policies such as "update without upgrade" ensure that the certification status remains intact over time, avoiding unexpected revalidation work.
To illustrate the practical benefits of certified components, consider the following scenarios.
In a typical automotive manufacturing environment, integrating Moxa’s IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 certified industrial secure routers, such as the EDR-G9010 and TN-4900 Series, can help strengthen cybersecurity across automated assembly lines. These devices offer strong protection against cyber threats while supporting CE and UKCA certification processes. By using certified components from the outset, manufacturers can reduce integration risks and improve operational efficiency, all while aligning with regulatory requirements.
Similarly, in a representative industrial automation setup, deploying IEC 62443-4-2 certified Ethernet switches, like Moxa’s EDS-4000/G4000 Series, enable better network visibility, traffic control, and access policy enforcement. These capabilities are increasingly important for meeting the technical and documentation standards required by the Cyber Resilience Act and other industry regulations.
Machine builders using unmanaged switches should migrate to managed and certified options for enhanced security. Greater visibility, policy enforcement, and traceability help meet CRA and other regulatory requirements that demand documentation and incident response capability. Machine builders using unmanaged switches should migrate to managed and certified options for enhanced security. Greater visibility, policy enforcement, and traceability help meet CRA and other regulatory requirements that demand documentation and incident response capability.
Security built into the organization: Long-term CRA readiness
IEC 62443-4-1 certification ensures the implementation of secure development processes. This is particularly important for CRA compliance, which mandates long-term support, vulnerability management, and transparency.
In the context of the CRA, machine builders must also ensure the security of their supply chains. This elevates the importance of choosing suppliers who are IEC 62443-4-1 certified ensuring that components are developed, maintained, and supported under a mature security framework.
Key benefits include:
- Structured patching and vulnerability management procedures.
- An active Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT).
- Availability of Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs), which allow machine builders to identify and track known vulnerabilities in third-party components is critical for risk assessment and compliance.
- Supplier transparency and traceability throughout the product lifecycle, as required by the CRA.
Looking ahead: Certification as a business enabler
IEC 62443-4-2 certification isn't just for component manufacturers. Machine builders can also seek certification for their own systems. By starting with already-certified components, the overall scope of testing and documentation can be reduced significantly. More importantly, CRA enforcement is expected to be strict. Compliance may soon determine who can sell in the European market and who cannot.
Certification transcends risk avoidance, serving as a significant market advantage. Choosing suppliers and technologies that are already compliant simplifies the journey and reduces long-term operational costs.
Conclusion: Building compliance and resilience from the ground up
Certified security components streamline machine certification, bolster operational resilience, and equip organizations to meet evolving cybersecurity regulations. Adopting IEC 62443-4-2 certified devices, whether switches, routers, protocol gateways, or industrial PCs, support a structured, audit-ready approach to cybersecurity. Vendors that also follow certified development lifecycles and maintain a robust PSIRT offer the added benefit of post-sale transparency and support, both of which are key tenets of the Cyber Resilience Act.
Moxa, for example, offers the largest IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 certified portfolio on the market, which includes routers, switches, serial servers, protocol converters, access points, and computers. All products are developed under an IEC 62443-4-1 certified process, ensuring consistent secure development practices. Moxa’s Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is especially mature, and as a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA), the company plays a recognized role in the global cybersecurity ecosystem. This makes Moxa an ideal partner for machine builders aiming to build secure, certifiable, and futureproof industrial systems.
