UL 2900-1 — Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 1: General Requirements

Overview

UL 2900-1 —Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 1:General Requirements is a cybersecurity standard that establishesbaseline requirements for the security of software innetwork-connectable products. The framework aims to reducecybersecurity risks by mandating controls that addressvulnerabilities and threats throughout a product’s softwarelifecycle.

Published by ULSolutions, UL 2900-1 is used by manufacturers, product developers,and compliance professionals seeking to certify or assess thecybersecurity posture of connected devices. The standard covers areassuch as secure software development, vulnerability testing, dataprotection, access control, and security update mechanisms, ensuringrobust risk management across diverse product categories.

Organizationsadopt UL 2900-1 by integrating its requirements into product design,secure development practices, and third-party assessments. Leveragingthe standard supports compliance objectives, facilitates marketaccess, and aligns with broader cybersecurity frameworks—such asNIST, ISO 27001, or sector-specific regulations—within risk andcompliance management programs.

Why it Matters

UL 2900-1establishes foundational cybersecurity requirements fornetwork-connectable products, helping organizations proactivelymanage software risks and protect critical systems.

Key benefitsinclude:

•  Improve cybersecurity governance

Providestructured requirements to help organizations oversee and coordinateconsistent security practices across connected software products.

•  Support regulatory and industry compliance

Enableorganizations to demonstrate adherence to relevant regulations andstandards through standardized assessment and documentationprocesses.

•  Enhance product safety and reliability

Reducevulnerabilities by requiring secure software development and testingpractices, leading to safer and more reliable products.

•  Increase audit readiness

Facilitatestreamlined internal and external audits by offering clear criteriafor security controls in network-connected devices.

•  Strengthen protection of sensitive data

Require controlsthat minimize risks of data exposure and unauthorized access,supporting the confidentiality of product use and operation.

How it Works

UL 2900-1structures its requirements as a comprehensive set of securitycontrols and testing procedures focused on software cybersecurity fornetwork-connectable products. The standard groups controls intocategories addressing secure software development, vulnerability andpatch management, authentication mechanisms, and data protection. Italso defines lifecycle processes for risk management and ongoingassessment to ensure products meet foundational cybersecuritybenchmarks throughout their operational lifespan.

Organizationsimplement UL 2900-1 by integrating its control requirements intosoftware development lifecycles, conducting security riskassessments, and performing product evaluations against thestandard’s criteria. Compliance activities typically involveconfiguring security features, maintaining detailed documentation,and executing both static and dynamic testing of software forvulnerabilities. Routine monitoring and internal audits support theongoing maintenance of a secure posture and demonstrate adherenceduring regulatory or partner assessments.

With SmartSuite,organizations can operationalize UL 2900-1 by using built-in controllibraries tailored to the standard, managing a risk register fortracking discovered vulnerabilities, and establishing governanceworkflows for policy enforcement. SmartSuite facilitates evidencecollection for compliance reporting, tracks remediation activities,and maintains dashboards for real-time monitoring of securitypractices and audit readiness aligned to UL 2900-1 requirements.

Key Elements

•  Cybersecurity Risk Management Processes

Specifiesprocedures for identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurityrisks in network-connectable products.

•  Product Security Lifecycle Requirements

Describessecurity activities and controls applied throughout the development,deployment, and maintenance phases of products.

•  Threat and Vulnerability Assessment Criteria

Outlinesmethodologies for evaluating potential threats and knownvulnerabilities impacting software components.

•  Security Control Categories

Organizessecurity safeguards into defined segments, including access control,data protection, and system integrity.

•  Patch and Update Management Procedures

Definesexpectations for managing and deploying security updates to addressemerging threats or discovered flaws.

•  Supplier and Third-Party Evaluation

Establishescriteria for assessing the cybersecurity posture of externalcomponents and service providers.

Framework Scope

UL 2900-1 —Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 1:General Requirements is used by manufacturers and developers ofconnected products requiring cybersecurity assurance. The standardgoverns software components within network-connectable devices andsystems, and is typically adopted when supporting certification orregulatory obligations related to software security and product riskmanagement.

Framework Objectives

UL 2900-1establishes baseline cybersecurity requirements fornetwork-connectable products to support effective risk management andregulatory compliance.

•  Strengthen protection of software against cybersecurity threatsand vulnerabilities

•  Improve risk management processes for connected devices andsoftware systems

•  Establish robust security controls to safeguard data integrityand confidentiality

•  Support regulatory compliance by meeting recognized industrysecurity standards

•  Enhance governance and oversight of cybersecurity practicesthroughout the product lifecycle

•  Promote operational resilience by reducing risks of unauthorizedaccess and exploitation UL 2900-1 establishes general cybersecurityrequirements for network-connectable products and complementsframeworks like IEC 62443, ISO 27001, and NIST SP 800-53 by focusingon secure product development. Organizations typically pursue UL2900-1 certification to demonstrate regulatory compliance, supportproduct safety approvals, or bolster cybersecurity assurance inindustrial and consumer device markets.

Common Framework Mappings

UL 2900-1 iscommonly mapped to other recognized cybersecurity frameworks todemonstrate comprehensive risk management, regulatory alignment, andinteroperability across security programs for network-connectableproducts.

Mappedframeworks include:

CIS CriticalSecurity Controls

COBIT

GDPR

IEC 62443

ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27002

NISTCybersecurity Framework

NIST SP 800-53

PCI DSS

SOC 2