IEC 62443-2-4-2023 PDF

Full title and description

Security for industrial automation and control systems — Part 2-4: Security program requirements for IACS service providers (IEC 62443-2-4:2023). Specifies a comprehensive set of organisational, procedural and contractual security requirements that IACS integration and maintenance service providers should offer and demonstrate to asset owners as part of an Automation Solution.

Abstract

IEC 62443-2-4:2023 defines security program requirements for organisations that provide integration and maintenance services to industrial automation and control systems (IACS). The document provides a structured catalogue of base requirements and requirement enhancements, a maturity model, and a "profiles" mechanism to tailor requirements to specific industries or engagements. It focuses on policy, process, personnel and service delivery controls that service providers must implement and document so asset owners can assess and contract for secure integration and lifecycle maintenance services.

General information

• Status: Current / Published
• Publication date: 15 December 2023
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
• ICS / categories: 25.040.40 (Industrial process measurement and control); 35.100.05 (Multilayer applications)
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (IEC 62443-2-4:2023)
• Number of pages: 194

Scope

Specifies security-related process and programme requirements that IACS service providers can offer to asset owners during integration and maintenance activities of an Automation Solution. It supports subsetting of requirements through defined "profiles" so the requirements can be applied to different industries, project types or non-IACS environments. The standard is complementary to other IEC 62443 parts (for example requirements for asset-owner security management and product technical requirements) and is intended to be used by both service providers and asset owners when negotiating, procuring and assessing service delivery.

Key topics and requirements

• Security program definition for IACS service providers: documented capabilities offered to asset owners (policies, processes, services).
• Profiles mechanism: allows subsetting and tailoring of requirements to industry, project or contractual scope.
• Maturity model: levels and metrics to assess and improve service-provider security capability over time.
• Normative requirements annex (tabular BR/RE list): base requirements (BR) and requirement enhancements (RE) organized by functional area, topic and subtopic.
• Service delivery controls: secure integration practices, secure maintenance, change and configuration management, and secure remote access.
• Organisational and personnel controls: roles and responsibilities, personnel security, background checks and training expectations.
• Contractual and supplier requirements: obligations for sub-contractors, supply-chain considerations and evidence/demonstrations for asset owners.
• Documentation and evidence: required artefacts, reporting, statements of work and evidence to demonstrate compliance with security program requirements.
• Incident and vulnerability handling: requirements for detection, reporting, coordination with asset owners and remediation.
• Interoperability with other IEC 62443 parts: links to asset-owner Security Management System (IEC 62443-2-1) and to technical/security requirements for products and systems (e.g., IEC 62443-3-3, IEC 62443-4-2).

Typical use and users

Primary users are IACS integration and maintenance service providers preparing or certifying their security programs, and asset owners procuring and evaluating those services. Secondary users include procurement officers, compliance and audit teams, system integrators, managed service providers, third-party maintenance vendors, security architects, and certification bodies assessing supplier security capabilities.

Related standards

IEC 62443 series (notably IEC 62443-2-1 for asset-owner security management systems, IEC 62443-3-3 and IEC 62443-4-2 for technical/security requirements), national adoptions/EN IEC versions, and complementary standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management and sector-specific guidance where applicable.

Keywords

IACS, industrial cybersecurity, service provider security program, integration, maintenance, profiles, maturity model, BR/RE requirements, incident response, supply chain, IEC 62443

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62443-2-4:2023 is part of the IEC 62443 family and specifies security program requirements that industrial automation and control system (IACS) integration and maintenance service providers should implement and demonstrate to asset owners.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers organisational, procedural and contractual security measures for service providers — including a catalogue of base requirements and enhancements, a maturity model, profiles for tailoring, documentation expectations, incident handling and supplier management for integration and maintenance activities.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: IACS service providers (integrators and maintenance vendors), asset owners and their procurement/compliance teams, auditors, certification bodies and security architects involved in specifying, delivering or assessing secure services for industrial control environments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — the Edition 2.0 publication date is 15 December 2023 and it supersedes earlier (2015) editions and amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the IEC 62443 series on cybersecurity for industrial automation and control systems; it is intended to be used alongside other parts such as IEC 62443-2-1, IEC 62443-3-3 and IEC 62443-4-2.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: IACS, security program, service provider, integration, maintenance, maturity model, profiles, IEC 62443.