Defensify explains
Machinery Regulation
The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 replaces the previous Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The regulation was enforced in 2023 and will be fully implemented by 2027. Unlike the directive, the regulation applies directly as law in all EU countries. The purpose is to strengthen the safety of machinery - both physically and digitally - in line with increased automation, connectivity, and integration between IT and OT.
Background and purpose
The technological development within the industry is fast, with increased digitalization and interconnection of machines. The Machinery Directive simply no longer suffices, and an update was necessary to meet future threats. The Machinery Regulation is intended to ensure that machines are safe from both a physical and digital perspective, including protection against cyber threats.
The regulation primarily targets manufacturers, importers, and distributors of machinery. It is the responsibility of these actors to ensure that the machines meet the technical requirements, including cybersecurity, before they are placed on the market. At the same time, users of machinery need to ensure that the equipment is handled and integrated in a way that maintains safety.
Effects on OT environments
In environments where Operational Technology (OT) is used, cybersecurity becomes an integrated part of machine safety. Specifically, it may involve requirements for:
Authentication and background checks to prevent unauthorized use.
Protection against software manipulation and secure handling of updates.
Resilience against cyber attacks, for example, through robust network architecture and segmentation.
Logging and monitoring to detect and manage incidents.
Backup of configurations to minimize downtime in the event of an incident.
Reach out to achieve compliance with new requirements and future-proof your business
As OT cybersecurity partner, we can analyze your current environment and identify which parts need to be strengthened to meet the requirements of the Machinery Directive.
Through risk analyzes, security architecture, and practical measures such as segmentation, patch management, and monitoring, we can ensure that your machines meet both the technical and regulatory requirements.