Keysight Achieves Industry-First PSA Level 4 Certification for Silicon Labs SoC: A Signal Boost for Aerospace Security Standards

In a milestone that could ripple across aerospace-grade IoT systems, Keysight Technologies has completed the industry’s first PSA Certified Level 4 security evaluation for Silicon Labs’ SiXG301 wireless system-on-chip (SoC). This top-tier certification, awarded through Keysight’s advanced security lab, underscores the growing importance of embedded resilience in connected platforms, particularly those destined for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications.

Raising the Bar: What PSA Level 4 Really Means

PSA Certified Level 4 is not just another badge. It represents the highest assurance level in the PSA framework, designed to test the robustness of core security components such as Root of Trust (RoT), secure elements, and embedded firmware protections. These elements are foundational to safeguarding data integrity and operational continuity in environments where failure is not an option.

For aerospace systems, where edge devices increasingly handle sensitive telemetry, navigation, and control functions, Level 4 assurance offers a meaningful benchmark. It signals that a device can withstand sophisticated attacks including side-channel analysis and fault injection, techniques often reserved for high-value targets.

Keysight’s Role: From Test Lab to Strategic Enabler

While Silicon Labs initially aimed for Level 3 certification, Keysight’s deep expertise and flexible methodology helped elevate the evaluation to Level 4. The process involved exhaustive design reviews, vulnerability assessments, and simulated attacks, all conducted within Keysight’s authorized PSA Certified Test Lab.

Marc Witteman, Technical Director at Keysight, emphasized that the achievement reflects a long-standing collaboration with Silicon Labs and a shared commitment to secure innovation. This isn’t just about passing a test, it’s about building a foundation for trust in increasingly autonomous and interconnected systems.

Security at the Edge

As aerospace platforms evolve toward distributed architectures, with sensors and processors embedded across airframes, satellites, and ground systems, the need for secure-by-design components becomes paramount. The SiXG301 SoC, now PSA Level 4 certified, could find relevance in low-power, high-security applications such as satellite telemetry, UAV control systems, and secure communications nodes.

Moreover, the certification aligns with broader trends in aerospace procurement, where agencies and contractors are prioritizing supply chain integrity and device-level assurance. With cyber threats growing more sophisticated, the bar for embedded security is rising, and Keysight’s work helps define that new standard.

A Quiet Revolution in Embedded Trust

This announcement may not grab headlines like a rocket launch, but its impact could be just as far-reaching. As aerospace systems become more software-defined and reliant on edge computing, the integrity of each component matters more than ever. PSA Level 4 is a signal that the industry is ready to meet that challenge.

For aerospace engineers and procurement specialists, this development offers a new reference point when evaluating secure components. And for companies building the next generation of flight systems, it’s a reminder that security is no longer a bolt-on feature, it’s a launch requirement.