Production processes are becoming more digital, interconnected, and increasingly software-controlled. However, with increasing digitisation, the requirements for security and compliance with standards also grow. With the introduction of a new operating system and a new control platform, Kuka is the first robotics manufacturer to achieve Security Level 2 certification according to IEC 62443-4-2. This certification is an important step to meet the security requirements in modern automation.
The increasing interconnectedness of industrial production systems is fundamentally changing the requirements for automation. Where previously the focus was primarily on functional safety, today digital control processes, data flows, and communication interfaces must also be reliably protected. This is precisely where the iiQKA.OS2 operating system comes in, combining cybersecurity and performance in a common platform.
With iiQKA.OS2 and the KR C5 control platform, Kuka not only meets the requirements of IEC 62443-4-2 but goes a step further. The system already complies with Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 on Cyber Resilience and the requirements of EN ISO 10218-1:2025. These standards are crucial for ensuring safe and future-proof automation solutions.
The IEC 62443-4-2 is an international standard that sets specific requirements for the security of components in industrial automation systems. Achieving Security Level 2 means that Kuka's systems are capable of withstanding advanced threats, thus offering a higher level of security in networked production environments.
„With iiQKA.OS2, we are creating the foundation for a new generation of industrial automation: more intuitive, more connected, and more secure. Product Security Level 2 is an important step in this regard. Cybersecurity is no longer a supplementary topic today, but a central prerequisite for robust, future-proof production systems.“
Marc Steigerwald, Strategic Programme Manager at Kuka
Equally crucial: The close integration with the iiQWorks engineering platform elevates efficiency in the entire automation process to a new level. While iiQKA.OS2 provides the secure and high-performance runtime environment, iiQWorks enables end-to-end planning, simulation and commissioning – digital and independent of physical hardware.
Digital Twin as the new foundation of Engineering
With iiQWorks, Kuka offers a central platform for configuration, simulation, and offline programming, thereby creating the foundation for end-to-end digital engineering processes. The core of this is iiQWorks.Sim, which enables the planning, programming, and validation of robot cells before commissioning. The platform is complemented by the AI-supported iiQWorks.Copilot, which simplifies engineering tasks and supports users in their daily workflow.
iiQKA.OS2's strategic role as a pioneering platform for robotics is further expanded. In combination with iiQWorks, this creates a seamless ecosystem consisting of a secure runtime environment and a powerful engineering framework. The combination of standards compliance, cybersecurity, performance, and a digital twin lays the foundation for a new generation of automation solutions – more integrated, scalable, and consistently digitally conceived.
Source: Kuka
