Westermo Viper-3000 gains IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 certification for rail networks
Westermo has reported that its Viper-3000 series of Ethernet switches, together with the WeOS 5 operating system, has achieved certification to IEC 62443-4-2 at Security Level 2. The certification applies to devices intended for onboard train networks and rolling stock applications.
For eeNews Europe readers working with rail, energy, or other critical infrastructure systems, the announcement is relevant because IEC 62443 compliance is increasingly referenced in European procurement, bidding, and system certification requirements, particularly where cybersecurity assurance is mandatory, potentially making certified networking components a baseline expectation rather than a differentiator.
Certification scope and technical context
The IEC 62443-4-2 certification focuses on technical security requirements for industrial automation and control system components. It covers areas such as secure authentication, access control, data integrity, and protection against unauthorised use. In this case, the scope includes both the Viper-3000 hardware platform and the WeOS 5 operating system running on the devices.
Westermo’s Viper-3000 portfolio comprises more than 40 managed Ethernet switch variants designed for onboard railway environments. According to the company, aligning the hardware and operating system with IEC 62443-4-2 requirements is intended to support deployment in applications where compliance with recognised cybersecurity standards is increasingly expected.
Implications for system integrators
Component-level certification to IEC 62443-4-2 can potentially simplify higher-level system certification. Devices that already meet defined security requirements may reduce the effort needed to demonstrate compliance with IEC 62443-3-3 at the system level. This can be relevant for integrators building certified train communication networks or modernising existing rolling stock platforms.
The standard is widely used across several industrial sectors, including rail transportation, utilities, and industrial automation. Its horizontal nature means that certified components may be reused across different application domains, provided that system-level requirements are also addressed.
Rail-focused industrial networking
Westermo positions the Viper-3000 series for harsh onboard environments, where vibration, temperature extremes, and long service lifetimes are typical. The addition of IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 certification reflects the growing emphasis on cybersecurity alongside traditional safety and reliability requirements in rail networking.
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