KUKA first in robotics to achieve Security Level 2 certification in accordance with IEC 62443-4-2

Production processes are becoming more digital, more connected, and increasingly software-controlled – often in company-owned, self-hosted environments. But as digitalization increases, so do the requirements for security and regulatory compliance. KUKA provides a clear answer: With its new iiQKA.OS2 operating system and the KR C5 controller platform, the robot system has been certified to Security Level 2 according to IEC 62443-4-2 and already meets the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 Cyber Resilience. It also fully meets the requirements of EN ISO 10218-1:2025 – a decisive milestone for secure, future-ready automation.

21 July 2026

The increasing connectivity of industrial production systems is fundamentally changing the requirements for automation. While functional safety used to be the main focus, digital control processes, data flows, and communication interfaces must now also be reliably protected. This is exactly where iiQKA.OS2 comes in, combining cybersecurity and performance on a single platform.

A Pioneer in Industrial Cybersecurity

KUKA was the first robotics manufacturer to achieve certification for Security Level 2 in accordance with IEC 62443-4-2 for its iiQKA.OS2 robot systems. With this achievement, KUKA is setting a new standard for securing networked production environments and specifically addressing the challenges of such environments – from controlled access to secure communication. Especially for companies that deliberately host and control their automation solutions themselves, cybersecurity is now a critical business requirement.

With its new iiQK.OS2 operating system, KUKA meets the safety requirements.

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 marks a significant milestone in our platform strategy. Cybersecurity is no longer an add-on topic today, but a central requirement for robust, future-ready production systems.

Marc Steigerwald, Strategic Program Manager at KUKA

Regulatory compliance as a stable foundation

In addition, KUKA robot systems with iiQKA.OS2 meet the requirements of EN ISO 10218-1:2025 and already meet the requirements of the new Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 for machinery and related products, providing a future-proof, standard-compliant basis for industrial applications. Safety functions such as Normal Stop, Restart Interlock, and the monitoring of all axes ensure that production systems can be operated not only efficiently, but also reliably, safely, and in compliance with regulations – an essential prerequisite for new machine concepts and regulatory requirements worldwide.

More performance for software-driven controller

At the same time, iiQKA.OS2, in combination with the new KR C5 controller family for iiQKA.OS2, delivers a modern, high-performance system architecture. The optimized system architecture provides more intuitive operation, more efficient processes, and higher performance compared with previous controller generations. This makes the software a central driver of productive and flexible automation.

Software-driven control takes automation to the next level.

KUKA is further expanding the strategic role of iiQKA.OS2 as a future-oriented platform for robotics. The operating system combines the long-standing experience of the KUKA System Software with modern technology stacks, a web-based user interface, and a scalable architecture. It was developed to make robots easier to operate, accelerate engineering processes, and make automation more accessible across different industries and applications.

Another key element is the close integration with the iiQWorks engineering platform which raises efficiency across 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 – digitally and independently of physical hardware.

iiQWorks – the digital twin as the new foundation of engineering

With iiQWorks, KUKA offers a central platform for configuration, simulation, and offline programming, creating the foundation for end-to-end digital engineering processes. At its core is iiQWorks.Sim, which enables the planning, programming, and validation of robot cells before commissioning. The AI-powered iiQWorks.Copilot helps engineers simplifiy engineering tasks and support users in their daily workflow.

A platform that sets the standard

KUKA is expanding the strategic role of iiQKA.OS2 as a future-oriented platform for robotics. In combination with iiQWorks, an end-to-end ecosystem of a secure runtime environment and a powerful engineering framework is emerging. The combination of regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, performance, and digital twin creates the foundation for a new generation of automation solutions – more integrated, more scalable, and consistently digital in its approach.