Renesas Electronics Corporation plans to release a security solution based on the Renesas RZ/G Linux Platform that will reduce the amount of time required for users to obtain certification under the IEC 62443-4-2 international standard for security technologies used to protect industrial control systems from cyberattacks. The IEC established the IEC 62443 international security standard covering all layers (operators, system integrators, and equipment suppliers) engaged in the manufacturing of industrial control systems and all players (enterprises and organizations involved in industry and public infrastructure). As per this standard, endpoint devices like sensors and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) must be certified under IEC 62443-4.
Reportedly, the certification process imposes a cumbersome burden on developers. It requires them to interpret the difficult standard, to prepare the required software and documentation, and to execute a procedure that requires specialized expertise. Addressing these certification challenges, Renesas is developing an industrial security solution that supports IEC 62443-4.
Within the IEC 62443-4 standard, IEC 62443-4-1 deals with development process compliance and IEC 62443-4-2 deals with the technical compliance of the devices themselves. Renesas is working through the newly established CIP Security Working Group to develop secure open source software (OSS) that complies with IEC 62443-4-2, to establish guidelines for implementing security functions and applications using OSS, and to help create the testing procedures and testing environments necessary for obtaining IEC 62443-4-2 certification. Together with deliverables through the activities in Civil Infrastructure Platform (CIPTM) Project, the Renesas RZ/G Linux Platform security solution will enable users to reduce the time required for obtaining IEC 62443-4-2 certification by as much as six months.
The emerging IEC 62443-4-2-compliant security solution is scheduled to be available by the end of 2019, starting with the RZ/G2M MPU. The solutions for other RZ/G2 MPUs will be available over time. But there’s no need to wait for further details if you checkout the RZ/G Linux Platform and the RZ/G IEC 62443-4-2 READY Solution now.