Raising the Bar for Security: Softing Adds ECC Support to OPC UA SDKs
In Short – What’s New?
Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) support now included in Softing’s OPC UA SDKs (Windows & Linux, C++ & .NET)
- Based on the latest OPC Foundation security profiles
- Ideal for embedded and resource-constrained environments
- Ensures future-proof, encrypted OPC UA communication
Enhanced OPC UA Security with ECC: Softing’s Next Step in Industrial Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity in industrial environments is no longer optional – it's a necessity. As digitalization progresses, the need for secure, encrypted OPC UA communication between machines, systems, and the cloud becomes increasingly critical. That’s why Softing is taking a decisive step forward by integrating Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) into its OPC UA Software Development Kits (SDKs). This move sends a clear message: Softing is committed to modern, future-proof communication solutions.
Why ECC Matters in OPC UA Communication
Industrial networks are becoming increasingly complex and accessible, but also more vulnerable. For years, OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) has been recognized as a proven standard for secure and interoperable data communication. However, traditional encryption methods are reaching their performance limits, especially in resource-constrained industrial systems.
Elliptic Curve Cryptography offers several key advantages:
- Strong encryption with low resource requirements
- Faster processing on embedded or edge devices
- Improved scalability without compromising security
By integrating ECC into its OPC UA SDKs, Softing not only meets the latest security guidelines of the OPC Foundation but also delivers a future-ready solution for a wide range of industrial applications.
What ECC in OPC UA Means for Developers and OEMs
For anyone looking to implement secure OPC UA communication in industrial applications – whether in machine control, process automation systems, or IIoT architectures – integrating ECC into the Softing OPC UA SDKs offers clear benefits.
It is standards-compliant and future-ready, supporting the latest OPC UA Security Profiles. It ensures interoperability with ECC-enabled clients and servers. In addition, it is ready to use on both Windows and Linux platforms, with support for both C++ and .NET SDKs.
With ECC, OEMs and system integrators can more easily integrate cryptographic functions into their applications. They benefit from reduced development effort while minimizing common risks in secure communication implementations, such as poor key management or incompatible in-house solutions that can lead to security vulnerabilities.
Security by Design in OPC UA – Not as an Afterthought
At Softing, "Security by Design" is a central principle: the integration of ECC is part of a long-term strategy to enable secure industrial communication from the ground up. Whether on the field level or in cloud-connected architectures, Softing’s OPC UA SDKs provide the technical foundation for encrypted, trustworthy data connections.
Explore the Details
Want to learn more about how ECC is implemented in Softing’s OPC UA SDKs or how to enable it in your own environment? Visit our product pages or get in touch with our development team for a technical deep dive.
