Why Your OT Network Needs IEC 62443 Certified Edge Products

In the world of Operational Technology (OT), "security" is often just a marketing buzzword. How do you know your hardware wasn't compromised before it even left the factory? This guide explains why IEC 62443 is the non-negotiable standard for modern edge products. We explore the difference between a vendor who says they are secure and one who has proved it via independent audit. We'll detail how certified industrial edge products reduce liability, ensure supply chain integrity, and provide the verified defense-in-depth required to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

If you are responsible for the security of a factory, a power grid, or a water treatment plant, you have the hardest job in the world. You have to connect 20-year-old, insecure PLCs to the internet, and you have to do it without getting hacked.

You rely on edge products—routers and gateways—to be your shield. But here is the terrifying reality: most hardware vendors treat security as an afterthought.

They grab open-source code, throw it onto a circuit board, and ship it. They don't check for vulnerabilities. They don't have a plan for patching. They are introducing a supply chain risk directly into your control cabinet.

This is why "security features" (like a firewall) are not enough. You need security assurance. You need IEC 62443. It is the only global standard that matters for industrial edge products, and if your vendor isn't certified, you are taking a massive gamble.

There is a vast difference between a device that has security features and a device that is secure.

• Uncertified Edge Products: The vendor says, "It has a VPN." But was the VPN implemented correctly? Are there hardcoded backdoors? Was the firmware signed? You have to take their word for it.
• Certified Edge Products: An independent auditor (like TÜV Rheinland) has examined the vendor's code, their testing processes, and their vulnerability response plan. They have verified that the edge products meet the rigorous standards of IEC 62443.

In 2025, taking a vendor's word isn't due diligence; it's negligence.

IEC 62443 (formerly ISA99) is the international series of standards for the cybersecurity of Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). For buyers of edge products, two sections are critical.

This certifies the Secure Development Lifecycle (SDL). It means security was baked in before the first line of code was written. A vendor of certified edge products must prove they perform:

• Threat Modeling: Identifying risks during design.
• Secure Coding: Using automated tools to ban insecure code practices.
• Penetration Testing: Hiring hackers to try and break their own edge products.
• Patch Management: Having a guaranteed process to fix bugs when they are found.

Robustel has achieved this certification. It means our software isn't just "written"; it's engineered for security.

This certifies the device itself. It validates that the industrial edge products have specific technical countermeasures, such as:

• Identification & Authentication: preventing unauthorized access.
• System Integrity: ensuring the firmware hasn't been tampered with (Secure Boot).
• Data Confidentiality: using strong encryption for data at rest and in transit.

Software supply chain attacks (like SolarWinds) are on the rise. Hackers don't attack you; they attack your vendor, injecting malware into the firmware update you just downloaded. IEC 62443-4-1 specifically addresses this. It requires vendors to secure their build environments and digitally sign their firmware. When you deploy certified edge products, you are validating that the code running on your OT network is authentic and untampered with.

Cyber insurance premiums for industrial companies are skyrocketing. Insurers are demanding proof of "due diligence." Using cheap, uncertified consumer routers in a critical infrastructure project is a liability red flag. Using IEC 62443 certified industrial edge products is a defensible, best-practice choice. It proves to auditors and insurers that you have selected hardware designed to withstand modern threats.

Security is a race, not a destination. New vulnerabilities will be found. The most dangerous edge products are the ones that never get updated. IEC 62443 mandates a vulnerability management process. It ensures that when a new "Heartbleed" or "Log4j" is discovered, your vendor is obligated to assess it and release a patch. You aren't just buying hardware; you are buying a security lifecycle.

At Robustel, we didn't just add security features; we changed our company culture. We invested years into achieving IEC 62443-4-1 certification for our development process.

Our flagship edge products, like the EG5120 , are built on this foundation.

• They run RobustOS Pro, a hardened OS built via our certified SDL.
• They support Secure Boot, ensuring hardware integrity.
• They are managed by RCMS , which provides secure, encrypted channels for configuration and patching.

We believe that for industrial edge products, security is not an upsell; it is the baseline requirement.

The era of the "dumb," insecure industrial router is over. The threat landscape is too aggressive.

Your OT network needs a gatekeeper it can trust. IEC 62443 provides the only objective metric for that trust. It separates professional industrial edge products from the toys. When you write your next RFP, don't just ask for "security." Demand certification. Your infrastructure deserves nothing less.