KUKA Becomes First Robot Maker With IEC 62443 Security Certification

First-in-industry security milestone

KUKA Robotics has secured the first IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 certification awarded to a robotics manufacturer, validating cybersecurity protections built into its iiQKA.OS2 operating system and KR C5-2 controller platform. The certification addresses security requirements for networked manufacturing systems increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats.

The achievement marks a significant development for industrial automation, where connected robots and controllers create potential entry points for attackers. Security Level 2 certification verifies that products can defend against intentional threats from attackers with limited resources and technical expertise—a baseline protection level for modern manufacturing environments.

What earned the certification

KUKA's iiQKA.OS2 operating system integrates the company's established system reliability with cybersecurity features designed specifically for digital manufacturing. The KR C5-2 controller family combines robot control functions with security and connectivity capabilities that meet the technical requirements defined in the IEC 62443-4-2 standard.

The IEC 62443 series represents internationally recognized standards for cybersecurity in industrial automation and control systems. The 4-2 component of the standard specifically defines technical security requirements for individual system components rather than entire networks or facilities.

Why it matters

As manufacturers connect more equipment to networks for data collection and remote management, they expand their attack surface. Certified security at the component level gives manufacturers assurance that individual robots and controllers meet defined protection standards before integration into larger systems. This matters particularly in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and logistics operations where production downtime from cyber incidents carries substantial costs. The certification provides a verifiable security baseline that procurement teams can reference when specifying automation equipment.

Industry context

"Cybersecurity has become a fundamental requirement for modern manufacturing," said Ed Volcic, Regional Technology Officer for North America at KUKA Robotics Corporation. "With Security Level 2 certification, we now provide customers with automation solutions that not only deliver productivity and performance but also help protect their operations against evolving cyber threats as well."

The certification supports manufacturers across multiple sectors that require secure automation platforms capable of meeting both operational performance and cybersecurity objectives. As industrial systems become more interconnected and dependent on digital communication, component-level security certifications like this one establish measurable standards for protecting manufacturing infrastructure.

Details of KUKA's certification were first reported by Modern Materials Handling.