On August 4th, Korea Testing Certification institute (KTC) announced that it has been chosen as a research and development institution for the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards(KATS)' 'Promising Test Service Development Project.'
The 'Promising Test Service Development Project' by the KATS aims to enhance the competitiveness and reliability of the testing and certification industry. It involves developing testing methods, procedures, and certification criteria for seven future growth areas of advanced technologies and services. The project also issues internationally recognized certificates to companies in order to facilitate global acceptance.
KTC has been selected as a research and development institution for testing and certification services in the fields of AI reliability assessment and medical device cybersecurity. In the selected fields, KTC will engage in activities such as establishing a test facility based on the Korean Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS), developing testing and certification services, providing support to companies, and promoting dissemination through seminars and workshops. These initiatives aim to support the early industrialization of verified products and seamless market entry for domestic companies.
In the field of artificial intelligence, KTC will develop quantitative methods to assess AI reliability. This effort aims to prevent biased data and security vulnerabilities in AI and contribute to the widespread adoption and dissemination of reliable AI products to users.
Regarding medical device cybersecurity, KTC will develop testing and certification services based on international standards. Domestic manufacturers obtaining certification in accordance with the international standards that will be applied in Europe from 2024 can expect to reduce the costs associated with trial and error in product development and obtaining overseas certifications. Consumers are also expected to benefit from enhanced cybersecurity and safety when using medical devices.
Through these developments, KTC will become the only medical device cybersecurity testing institution in South Korea capable of conducting tests in accordance with domestic and international standards and the guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Additionally, KTC plans to support domestic companies in obtaining overseas certifications to prepare for strengthened global medical device cybersecurity regulations, including those of the US FDA and EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR), to ensure smooth exports.
It is worth noting that KTC is the only domestic testing and certification institution that operates information communication departments, leading in the areas of Internet of Things (IoT) and medical device cybersecurity testing. It offers services such as Software Verification and Validation (V&V) testing, Software Quality Certification (GS certification), and Information Protection Certification (IoT security) for communication network devices. KTC's designation as the first domestic IoT cybersecurity testing agency in Europe by Norway's NEMKO in March of this year further supports Korean companies' overseas expansion efforts.
President Sungil Ahn of KTC stated, "Participation in this project will play a significant role in establishing KTC as a specialized testing and certification body in the fields of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Through testing and certification, we will consolidate our capabilities to facilitate the growth of businesses."
▲ Medical Device Hardware Security Function Test being conducted at the KTC Information Security Center.
