Schneider Electric has announced an industry first: the EcoStruxure IT Network Management Card 3 (NMC3) platform is the first Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) network card to receive the IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 (SL2) designation from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This is the result of the platform obtaining a new and higher level of cybersecurity certification.
One of the biggest and most reputable testing organizations in the world, TÜV Rheinland, has independently certified the NMC3 platform, guaranteeing that vendor products made for distributed IT and data center environments adhere to a clear set of security requirements and are put through a rigorous testing and evaluation process.
Schneider Electric is committed to leading the industry in safe operations and providing improved protection against cyberthreats, as evidenced by this new and higher level of cybersecurity certification. Compared to SL1, which was acquired last year, SL2 certification offers more demanding specifications and enhanced security resilience.
TÜV Rheinland has validated Schneider Electric and the cybersecurity procedures used to create th company’s products, such as the NMC3, as complying with ISASecure® Secure Development Lifecycle Assurance (SDLA) in addition to the new standard.
Most Schneider Electric EcoStruxure IT DCIM products include the NMC3, which is an embedded device that offers a powerful, network-based, remotely accessible management application for vital power and cooling infrastructure.
Simplifying the Process of Installing Firmware
It’s difficult for companies to stay relevant with firmware updates. Many enterprise customers employ building management systems, external network management tools, or their own internal management tools to oversee their vital cooling and electrical infrastructure. These systems are unable to determine when firmware needs to be updated on connected endpoints, especially in distributed and edge situations.
A new dedicated tool for the EcoStruxure IT Secure NMC System provides better embedded firmware management. The laborious process of finding and updating the firmware on every device is transformed by the Secure NMC System Tool, which speeds up the procedure by up to 90%.
Users no longer have to randomly search for firmware, verify that the firmware they are downloading is the most recent version compatible with their device, and read the release notes to learn what features are new before downloading and updating their device. Rather, consumers are notified by the Secure NMC System Tool when a new firmware version is ready and are instructed to install it.
The Benefits of the Secure NMC System Include:
- Eliminate fear of becoming outdated: Simplifies firmware management, making it up to 90% faster and reducing risk.
- Achieve consistent compliance: Customers have a systematic, standardized approach to cybersecurity updates for their critical power and cooling infrastructure.
- Reduce exposure to potential attack: IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 and ISASecure® SDLA cybersecurity certifications combined with the Secure NMC System Tool ensures connected devices are protected with the latest security updates.
Key Comments
“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 Center 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.”
“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,” Brown said. “We are the first in the industry providing this solution as we continue our commitment to enable resilient, secure, and sustainable IT infrastructure.”