What is the difference between IEC 62443 4 1 and IEC 62443-4-2 ?

IEC 62443-1 is an international standard that provides general guidelines for establishing an industrial automation and control system (IACS) security program. This standard is focused on the development of a security policy, rather than providing detailed technical guidance for implementing security controls. It outlines principles and concepts, allowing organizations to adapt the guidelines to their individual circumstances.

In contrast, IEC 62443-2 is an international standard that provides detailed technical guidance and best practices for implementing security controls required to protect industrial automation and control systems. This standard is more specific and provides more concrete requirements, specifying the technical measures that should be implemented and interpreted uniformly across different IACS installations.

The primary difference between IEC 62443-1 and IEC 62443-2 is their level of specificity. IEC 62443-1 outlines principles and concepts without going into granular details, allowing organizations to adapt the guidelines to their individual circumstances. In contrast, IEC 62443-2 provides more concrete requirements, specifying the technical measures that should be implemented and interpreted uniformly across different IACS installations.

Another notable difference is the level of support provided by each standard. IEC 62443-1 is a high-level standard that provides general guidance for establishing an IACS security program. It is intended to be a starting point for organizations looking to develop a security program for their IACS. On the other hand, IEC 62443-2 is a more specific standard that provides detailed technical guidance for implementing security controls. It is intended to be a more comprehensive guide for organizations looking to implement a security program for their IACS.

In conclusion, while both IEC 62443-1 and IEC 62443-2 are important standards for securing IACS, they serve different purposes and have distinct differences in their scope and focus. IEC 62443-1 is intended to provide general guidance for establishing an IACS security program, while IEC 62443-2 is intended to provide detailed technical guidance for implementing security controls.