Glossary

IEC 62443 Compliance

Compliance and Regulations

What is IEC 62443 Compliance?

IEC 62443 compliance refers to adherence to the IEC 62443 series of international standards developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and ISA for securing industrial automation and control systems (IACS). The standard defines cybersecurity requirements for system integrators, asset owners, product suppliers, and service providers in operational technology (OT) environments. It covers technical, procedural, and governance-based security controls across system lifecycles.

Why is IEC 62443 Compliance Important?

IEC 62443 provides a comprehensive, vendor-neutral framework for protecting industrial systems against cyber threats. It is globally recognized and widely adopted in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, transportation, and critical infrastructure. The standard addresses a broad range of controls, from network segmentation and security levels to authentication, remote access, and auditability.

Access control is a central focus of several IEC 62443 components:

IEC 62443-3-3 SR 1.1 to SR 1.3 mandate identification and authentication controls.
SR 1.4 to SR 1.6 require account management, least privilege, and role-based access.
SR 1.7 to SR 1.9 address session timeout, log retention, and accountability.
IEC 62443-2-1 emphasizes access governance, user training, and policy enforcement.
IEC 62443-2-4 defines requirements for service providers and remote support access.

Compliance with IEC 62443 not only reduces cyber risk in industrial systems but also supports procurement, regulatory alignment, and supply chain assurance across global operations.

How Does Xona Help with IEC 62443 Compliance?

Xona enables compliance with IEC 62443 access control and remote access requirements by delivering a secure, protocol-isolated access platform purpose-built for OT environments. Its features map directly to key IEC 62443-3-3 and 2-4 technical requirements, including:

Identity-based access with multi-factor authentication.
Role- and time-based access control.
Credential injection to eliminate password exposure.
Full session logging and video recording.
Just-in-time and just-enough access.
Session termination, monitoring, and supervision.

By providing granular access control, visibility, and auditability, without requiring direct network exposure, Xona helps asset owners, system integrators, and vendors enforce the technical controls outlined across the IEC 62443 framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the IEC 62443 standard in industrial cybersecurity?

IEC 62443 is a globally recognized framework that defines cybersecurity controls for securing Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). Its purpose is to help asset owners, system integrators, and service providers implement technical, procedural, and governance-based security measures that reduce cyber risk throughout the lifecycle of industrial systems.

Which organizations are responsible for implementing IEC 62443 controls?

Compliance responsibilities are shared across stakeholders: asset owners must define and enforce security policies, system integrators must design and configure systems according to IEC 62443 requirements, and product suppliers and service providers (e.g., remote support vendors) must meet technical criteria for secure access, identity management, and auditability.

What access control requirements are defined under IEC 62443-3-3?

Part 3-3 of the standard outlines foundational requirements (FRs) and system requirements (SRs) for secure access, including: SR 1.1–1.3: Identification and authentication controls; SR 1.4–1.6: Least privilege, account management, and role-based access control; and SR 1.7–1.9: Session management, audit logging, and traceability. These controls are essential for securing privileged access and enforcing accountability in OT environments.

How does Xona help asset owners and integrators comply with IEC 62443?

Xona enforces access controls that align with IEC 62443 by implementing identity- and role-based authentication, time-restricted access windows, and credential injection to eliminate shared or exposed credentials. All user activity is logged and recorded, and remote access is delivered through browser-based sessions with protocol isolation, reducing risk to core systems.

Can Xona support the remote access requirements in IEC 62443-2-4?

Yes. IEC 62443-2-4 outlines specific requirements for service providers delivering remote support. Xona satisfies these by enabling temporary, just-in-time remote sessions, tied to individual identities and approved roles. Each session is fully auditable and can be supervised or terminated in real time to maintain compliance and operational control.

How does IEC 62443 compliance support broader security and business objectives?

Compliance with IEC 62443 not only improves cyber resilience in OT systems but also supports regulatory alignment, supply chain assurance, and procurement requirements. Many industrial buyers and government agencies reference IEC 62443 as a baseline for vendor qualification, making compliance a competitive differentiator as well as a security necessity.