DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Technology

Taiwan Establishes SEMI E187 Cybersecurity Certification for Semiconductor Equipment

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Taiwan's Institute for Information Industry (III) has established a laboratory to test semiconductor equipment against the SEMI E187 cybersecurity standard.
  • This certification aims to ensure the security of automated semiconductor production lines, extending protection to the equipment itself.
  • While not legally mandated, the SEMI E187 certification is expected to become a key procurement requirement for semiconductor manufacturers seeking to enhance supply chain security.

Taiwan is bolstering the cybersecurity of its crucial semiconductor industry with the implementation of the SEMI E187 standard. The Institute for Information Industry (III) has launched a laboratory, accredited by the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF), to test semiconductor manufacturing equipment for compliance with this standard.

SEMI E187 standard is formulated, the next step is to establish a certification system to allow the standard to be truly adopted by the industry.

— Lin Cheng-yehExplaining the process of implementing the SEMI E187 standard through certification.

The SEMI E187 standard focuses on securing automated production lines, extending cybersecurity measures directly to the equipment used in manufacturing. This initiative is seen as a vital step in protecting sensitive processes from potential cyber threats. The certification process involves testing by accredited laboratories like the III, followed by verification and issuance of certificates or labels by a designated certification body, such as the Taipei Computer Association (TCA).

It can be imagined as a 'safety mark' in other fields. For example, food is sent to the laboratory for testing, and after confirming that it meets the relevant safety requirements, a mark is issued by the relevant unit.

— Lin Cheng-yehAnalogizing the SEMI E187 certification mark to familiar safety labels in other industries.

While SEMI E187 is not a mandatory legal requirement, it is positioned as a significant "bonus point" for equipment vendors. Semiconductor manufacturers and foundries can incorporate this certification into their procurement specifications, effectively requiring suppliers to demonstrate a certain level of cybersecurity assurance. As more vendors obtain the certification, it is anticipated to become a de facto industry standard, driving demand for testing services and enhancing overall supply chain security.

Currently, the SEMI E187 certification system is still in the early stages of promotion, and someone must invest first.

— Lin Cheng-yehDescribing the early stage of the SEMI E187 certification system's development.

Overseas equipment manufacturers, particularly from Japan, have already expressed interest in the SEMI E187 certification. Taiwan's established testing and certification framework has the potential to offer services to international vendors, further solidifying its role in the global semiconductor ecosystem. The initiative is a collaborative effort, with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) also developing testing capabilities, aiming to build a robust domestic capacity for semiconductor equipment cybersecurity.

SEMI E187 is not a legally mandatory requirement, but equipment procurement parties can include it in their procurement specifications or supplier requirements according to their own supply chain cybersecurity policies.

— Lin Cheng-yehClarifying the non-mandatory but influential nature of the SEMI E187 certification.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog