Schneider Electric has announced a significant milestone with its EcoStruxure IT Network Management Card 3 (NMC3) platform. It has become the first Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) network card to receive the IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 (SL2) certification from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
The certification was independently conducted by TÜV Rheinland, one of the largest global testing providers. This ensures that the NMC3 platform, designed for data centres and distributed IT environments, meets stringent security requirements following extensive testing and evaluation.
This higher level of cybersecurity certification highlights Schneider Electric’s commitment to secure operations, offering increased protection against cyber threats. SL2 certification enforces stricter requirements and greater resilience compared to SL1, which was achieved last year.
Furthermore, TÜV Rheinland has certified Schneider Electric’s cybersecurity processes, confirming that the development of its products, including the NMC3, complies with the ISASecure Secure Development Lifecycle Assurance (SDLA) standard.
The NMC3 is integrated into most of Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT DCIM products, providing robust, remote management of critical power and cooling infrastructure via the network.
“According to the 2024 Allianz Risk Barometer, cyber incidents are ranked as the number one business concern. At an average reported cost of more than $4 million an incident, we understand why cybersecurity tops the priority list for CIOs,” said Kevin Brown, SVP for EcoStruxure IT, Data Centre Business, Schneider Electric. “With the IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 and ISASecure SDLA cybersecurity certifications, Schneider Electric is leading the industry with this dual certification helping to reduce risks to critical infrastructure.”
Streamlining firmware management is another area Schneider Electric has addressed with the EcoStruxure IT Secure NMC System. Many organisations struggle to keep up with firmware updates, particularly in distributed and edge environments. The Secure NMC System introduces a new dedicated tool that simplifies the process of managing firmware, making it up to 90% faster. This tool informs users when new firmware is available, guiding them to install updates without having to manually search for them or check release notes.
Key benefits of the Secure NMC System include:
- Reducing the risk of outdated systems: Firmware management is simplified, speeding up the process by up to 90%
- Ensuring consistent compliance: A standardised approach to cybersecurity updates for critical power and cooling infrastructure
- Minimising exposure to threats: The combination of IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 and ISASecure SDLA certifications with the Secure NMC System Tool ensures connected devices are secured with the latest updates
“EcoStruxure IT is providing customers with a powerful approach – the flexibility to manage their IT infrastructure as they choose and to do it simply while also managing their cybersecurity compliance because being secure doesn’t mean it has to be difficult,” added Brown. “We are the first in the industry providing this solution as we continue our commitment to enable resilient, secure, and sustainable IT infrastructure.”
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