Cybersecurity has long since arrived in the world of mobile machines, whether on construction sites, in municipal technology or in agriculture. Protecting digital processes is becoming increasingly important. Forthcoming EU directives now mean that cybersecurity must be taken into account from the very beginning of the design process for networked machines, including mobile machinery. But what are the specific challenges facing machine builders? What solutions are available today?
Machine-to-machine networking, data exchange with the cloud, and the implementation of digital process management systems, for example in the construction, municipal, and agricultural sectors, bring immense benefits - but also new security risks.
With the forthcoming EU directives on cybersecurity, there are now guidelines that all manufacturers of mobile machines and their suppliers of automation components can and must follow in the future. These measures are designed to protect machine operators and end users from cyber-attacks.
Overview of the new EU regulations
Radio Equipment Directive (RED-DA): RED-DA comes into effect mid-year and requires manufacturers of products with radio interfaces to ensure the security of data transmitted via Wi-Fi, cellular or Bluetooth connections.
EU Machinery Regulation: The new EU Machinery Regulation will apply from the beginning of 2027. It affects all cyber related hardware components as well as software. Manufacturers will have to ensure that their systems are protected against hacking and will be obliged to report any evidence of cyber attacks on their software.
Cyber Resilience Act (CRA): The Cyber Resilience Act, which comes into force at the end of 2027, represents the current pinnacle of cybersecurity efforts in the EU. The CRA applies to all products with "digital elements", both software and hardware - which means almost any modern product with a data interface. This includes, of course, connected mobile machinery with its many automated systems and highly complex process software. Manufacturers of these products are required to ensure cybersecurity along the entire value chain, provide security updates for at least five years, and document and report vulnerabilities and tampering attempts.
Rising market expectations
For machine operators, cybersecurity is essential and taken for granted. In a commercial environment, data manipulation or loss can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to ransomware attacks. In industries such as agriculture, municipal technology or construction, even a simple delay in processes can result in significant economic damage and have a negative impact on the company's reputation. As a result, decision makers expect digital systems to be not only functional, powerful and efficient, but also secure. This expectation gives machine builders who invest early in cybersecurity a clear competitive advantage.
Challenges for machine manufacturers
Complying with new security requirements and meeting customer expectations for cybersecurity can be a significant challenge for mobile equipment manufacturers. They need to thoroughly review their existing product portfolio for compliance and make improvements where necessary. New developments must also meet the requirements.
This requires in-depth expertise that must potentially be developed internally. However, many OEMs do not have the resources to do this, so they rely on external consultants. Using a large number of external service providers to ensure compliance however, requires a high level of coordination. In addition, the efficiency of the implementation suffers when the work of different service providers needs to be brought together.
Solutions to improve efficiency and execution quality
It is therefore advisable to look for partners who can provide the most comprehensive range of cybersecurity services and so keep the compliance process efficient. The automation experts at STW can be such a partner for machine builders.
STW already utilizes many hardware and software security measures that contribute significantly to the protection of machines and automation systems. These include:
- Hardware security modules: STW controllers include security-on-chip modules and support secure boot to prevent tampering during system startup.
- Physical security: The physical interfaces of the components are designed to prevent direct access to the chip elements.
- Encryption: Software access requires certificate authentication. Updates and communications between the controller and service software are encrypted.
- Disabled debugging interfaces: These software access points, often used as a gateway for tampering, are disabled by default.
STW also has a Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) that identifies emerging threats and closes security holes. Regular penetration testing and zero-day detection analysis are also part of the security posture.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity in mobile machines is no longer an optional extra, but a fundamental requirement that must be continuously considered. The upcoming EU regulations set clear requirements that manufacturers and operators must comply with. Companies that focus on secure hardware and software early on will not only have a regulatory advantage, but also a decisive market advantage. STW shows that it is already possible to comply with the future standards and to make mobile machines future-proof and attractive to the market through proactive security measures.