Kontron and congatec partner on secure embedded Linux platforms

Kontron and congatec have deepened their cooperation to deliver modular, cyber-secure embedded platforms targeting industrial and IoT applications. The two companies are combining Kontron’s hardened Linux-based operating system, KontronOS, with congatec’s application-ready aReady.COM ecosystem.

The collaboration is relevant as it addresses growing security and regulatory pressures in embedded design, including IEC 62443 requirements and the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). By integrating preconfigured hardware and software building blocks, the partners aim to reduce development effort, speed up certification, and lower total system costs.

Secure Linux meets application-ready modules

At the core of the partnership is the integration of KontronOS into congatec’s aReady.COM portfolio. KontronOS is a proprietary, security-hardened Linux operating system designed for long-term availability and modular expansion. When combined with aReady.COM, customers can source application-ready computer-on-modules and systems that come with a pre-installed and licensed operating system.

Security is further enhanced through congatec’s hypervisor technology, which enables strict separation between security-critical core applications and IoT or edge components. In combination with KontronAIShield, the approach supports system architectures where safety- and security-relevant functions are isolated from less critical workloads, improving resilience against cyber threats.

The joint solution is positioned to support the development of IEC 62443-compliant systems, particularly in industrial automation, critical infrastructure, and connected edge devices, where secure-by-design concepts are becoming mandatory.

“With KontronOS, we offer a secure, modular, and standardized platform that will be available on all modules in the long term and will form the basis for future innovations. At the same time, we are responding agilely to technological requirements arising from the CRA directive and the development of AI. We are delighted to further deepen our partnership with congatec with this step and to be able to offer our customers even more powerful and secure solutions together,” said Hannes Niederhauser, CEO of Kontron (see photo).

Modular expansion and long-term strategy

KontronOS is offered via a subscription model within the aReady.COM framework and can be expanded modularly. Optional components include KontronAIShield for AI-related security features and KontronGrid for device and infrastructure management. According to Kontron, this modularity allows customers to tailor security and functionality to specific use cases while supporting CRA compliance and reducing overall lifecycle costs.

Dominik Ressing, CEO of congatec, highlighted the benefits for embedded developers: “We are expanding our application-ready embedded computer hardware and software building blocks with the secure KontronOS. This means that aReady.COM offers our customers even more flexibility and security. With aReady.COM, customers can bring secure and innovative solutions to market faster while reducing non-recurring engineering costs and total cost of ownership.”

The collaboration builds on a partnership announced in May 2025, combining the computer-on-module expertise of both companies. Going forward, congatec will continue to supply embedded modules to Kontron, giving the group access to one of the industry’s broadest embedded module portfolios.