Engineering HMI solutions for evolving safety and compliance requirements

HMIs are the direct link between an operator and a machine. Switches, joysticks, keypads, control panels and other interface devices can therefore contribute to functions that affect machine operation and, in some applications, safety.

At the same time, modern HMI solutions increasingly incorporate electronics and software and communicate with other electronic units or connected machine architectures.

This creates two complementary engineering challenges:

• Functional Safety: ensuring that safety-related functions behave as required when a fault occurs.

• Cybersecurity: protecting connected products against risks such as unauthorized access, data compromise, function manipulation and service disruption throughout their lifecycle.

APEM is strengthening its engineering processes in both areas to provide customers with the information and support they need when integrating HMI products into their systems.

This allows APEM to support customers at component and subsystem level while keeping the responsibilities clear: the OEM or system integrator remains responsible for the safety and security assessment of the complete machine or system.

Can an HMI component be PL d or SIL 2 on its own?

Not in isolation. Functional Safety is assessed at safety-function and system or subsystem level. A component's reliability data can contribute to achieving a required Performance Level or SIL, but the final result also depends on factors such as architecture, diagnostics and the application context.

What Functional Safety data can APEM provide?

Depending on the product and application, APEM can provide or support the calculation of information such as B10d and MTTFd, alongside other technical evidence relevant to the customer's safety analysis. A mission profile may be required to calculate application-specific reliability values.

How is APEM preparing for the Cyber Resilience Act?

APEM is implementing a structured cybersecurity development approach covering areas such as threat analysis, secure design, verification, documentation, vulnerability handling, incident response and security updates.

Does cybersecurity also affect machinery safety?

It can. If software, connectivity or unauthorized manipulation can affect how a machine behaves, cybersecurity risks can also have consequences for machine safety. Functional Safety and cybersecurity therefore need to be considered together when relevant to the application.

Can APEM support customers throughout the product lifecycle?

Yes. APEM's approach covers not only design and product development but also technical documentation, vulnerability management and lifecycle support. For connected products, this includes controlled mechanisms for corrections, security patches and software upgrades according to the product and agreed support conditions.

If you identify a potential vulnerability in an APEM product, or experience a cybersecurity incident involving one of our products, please report it through this form.

Your report will be handled through APEM’s Product Security Incident Response process (PSIRT). The information provided will help us assess the vulnerability or incident, determine its potential impact, coordinate corrective or mitigating actions, and communicate with affected parties when required.

This reporting process also supports APEM’s vulnerability-handling and incident-management obligations under the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), including the assessment and documentation of reported security issues and, where applicable, regulatory notification requirements.