Australia has formally adopted IEC 62443 as part of its national standards for securing critical infrastructure, designating these best practices as AS IEC 62443 (“AS” signifying Australian Standard). This move aligns Australia with a growing list of countries recognizing IEC 62443 as a benchmark for industrial cybersecurity.
ISA/IEC 62443 provides a comprehensive framework for addressing cyber risks and attacks in industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT). Originally developed by the ISA99 committee in 2002, the standard was aligned with the IEC in 2010, resulting in the harmonized ISA/IEC 62443 series used today. It outlines roles, responsibilities, and technical requirements for securing systems across their lifecycle and is widely adopted across critical infrastructure sectors worldwide.
By incorporating IEC 62443 into its national standards, Australia establishes a formal baseline for OT securitybest practices in industrial environments—one that regulators, asset owners, and technology providers can align around.
This adoption supports broader regulatory reforms underway in Australia. In recent years, the government has strengthened the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act) through amendments such as SLACI (2021) and SLACIP (2022). These updates expand the scope of regulated sectors and introduce more rigorous obligations, including the requirement for entities to implement a Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program (CIRMP). Cyber and information security risks are a core focus area within these programs.
This adoption supports broader regulatory reforms underway in Australia. In recent years, the government has strengthened the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act) through amendments such as SLACI (2021) and SLACIP (2022). These updates expand the scope of regulated sectors and introduce more rigorous obligations, including the requirement for entities to implement a Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program (CIRMP). As part of the CIRMP, organizations must adopt a recognized cybersecurity framework to manage risks, with guidance emphasizing standards like IEC 62443 or the Australian Energy Sector Cyber Security Framework (AESCSF).
Industrial Defender supports critical infrastructure operators in Australia and globally with cybersecurity monitoring, compliance automation, and alignment to industry frameworks such as the AESCSF. Our platform helps simplify reporting, improve visibility, and reduce the burden of regulatory readiness.
If your team needs help implementing IEC 62443 or other cybersecurity frameworks, we’re here to support you. Reach out to learn more—or start with our IEC 62443 Guide below to explore how the framework applies to your environment.
