KNX Secure Gateways for Mitsubishi Electric HVAC

HMS Intesis has introduced the first KNX Secure gateways for Mitsubishi Electric HVAC systems, addressing rising cybersecurity requirements for building automation under new European regulations.

Cybersecurity as a design requirement in building automation
European regulatory initiatives such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) are reshaping expectations for connected building systems. These frameworks require devices to be secure by design, resilient against cyber threats, and compliant throughout their operational lifecycle. As a result, cybersecurity is becoming a core technical requirement rather than an optional feature in building automation projects.

HVAC systems are particularly affected by this shift. They are deeply integrated into building operations, continuously connected, and increasingly exposed through IP-based infrastructures. Traditional, unsecured communication methods are no longer sufficient to meet regulatory, operational, and commercial risk thresholds.

KNX Secure as a foundation for protected communication
The KNX ecosystem has addressed these challenges through KNX Secure, which introduces encryption, authentication, and message integrity into KNX communications. KNX Secure is designed to protect both IP-based and twisted-pair KNX installations, ensuring that data exchanged between devices cannot be intercepted or manipulated.

As adoption of KNX Secure accelerates across Europe, demand has grown for HVAC integration solutions that fully support KNX Data Secure, particularly for widely deployed HVAC platforms.

Secure integration of Mitsubishi Electric HVAC systems
In response, HMS Intesis has expanded its KNX Secure portfolio with gateways that enable secure integration of Mitsubishi Electric HVAC equipment into KNX Secure installations. The gateways support a broad range of systems, including Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan air-to-water heat pumps, air conditioning platforms such as Domestic, Mr. Slim, and City Multi, as well as Lossnay ventilation units.

All communication between HVAC systems and the KNX installation is protected using KNX Data Secure, ensuring encrypted data exchange aligned with current and upcoming European cybersecurity requirements. This positions the gateways for use in projects where regulatory compliance and secure-by-design architectures are specified.

Configuration and project-level functionality
The gateways are configured using ETS, following standard KNX engineering workflows familiar to system integrators and KNX professionals. They expose advanced HVAC datapoints, enabling detailed monitoring and control of operating modes, temperatures, and system status.

Integrated binary inputs allow direct connection of external signals such as energy meters, window contacts, or occupancy sensors. This supports practical energy efficiency strategies, including demand-based control and interlocking HVAC operation with building usage conditions.

Application scenarios and compliance drivers
Typical application areas include residential buildings requiring secure HVAC control, retail and hospitality projects with multi-zone air conditioning, and heat pump installations focused on energy efficiency within KNX Secure environments. The gateways are also relevant for projects where cybersecurity compliance is explicitly required in technical specifications or procurement criteria.

From a broader market perspective, secure HVAC gateways reduce technical and legal exposure for integrators and building owners, while enabling HVAC manufacturers to participate in KNX Secure projects without developing proprietary security solutions.

Implications for secure building architectures
By extending KNX Secure support to Mitsubishi Electric HVAC systems, HMS Intesis addresses a critical integration gap in secure building automation. The launch reflects a wider industry transition toward cybersecurity-ready architectures, where interoperability, standards compliance, and long-term regulatory alignment are integral to system design rather than add-on considerations.