System for fail-safe transmission of safety messages in a network environment including a communications network, said system comprising: an intelligent sensor apparatus including a sensor, comprising a first safety-certified portion and a first non-safety-certified portion, said first safety-certified portion including a first safety-certified application, a first safety-certified layer, and said first non-safety-certified portion including a first non-safety-certified layer, wherein said first safety-certified portion is operative to generate a safety message and associated digital signature based upon state information received from said sensor; means for transmitting said safety message and said associated digital signature over said communications network; and an intelligent actuator apparatus communicatively coupled to said intelligent sensor apparatus via said communications network, said intelligent actuator apparatus including an actuator, comprising a second safety-certified portion and a second non-safety-certified portion said second safety-certified portion including a second safety-certified application, a second safety-certified layer, and said second non-safety-certified portion including a second non-safety-certified communication layer, wherein said second safety-certified layer is operative to use said digital signature in order to verify authenticity of said safety message communicated over said communications network and thereby enable said actuator to perform an action in accordance with said state information. an intelligent sensor apparatus including a sensor, comprising a first safety-certified portion and a first non-safety-certified portion, said first safety-certified portion including a first safety-certified application, a first safety-certified layer, and said first non-safety-certified portion including a first non-safety-certified layer, wherein said first safety-certified portion is operative to generate a safety message and associated digital signature based upon state information received from said sensor; said first safety-certified portion including a first safety-certified application, a first safety-certified layer, and said first non-safety-certified portion including a first non-safety-certified layer, wherein said first safety-certified portion is operative to generate a safety message and associated digital signature based upon state information received from said sensor; means for transmitting said safety message and said associated digital signature over said communications network; and an intelligent actuator apparatus communicatively coupled to said intelligent sensor apparatus via said communications network, said intelligent actuator apparatus including an actuator, comprising a second safety-certified portion and a second non-safety-certified portion said second safety-certified portion including a second safety-certified application, a second safety-certified layer, and said second non-safety-certified portion including a second non-safety-certified communication layer, wherein said second safety-certified layer is operative to use said digital signature in order to verify authenticity of said safety message communicated over said communications network and thereby enable said actuator to perform an action in accordance with said state information. said second safety-certified portion including a second safety-certified application, a second safety-certified layer, and said second non-safety-certified portion including a second non-safety-certified communication layer, wherein said second safety-certified layer is operative to use said digital signature in order to verify authenticity of said safety message communicated over said communications network and thereby enable said actuator to perform an action in accordance with said state information.