Focus: Cybersecurity
Regulations for securing the connected world
By Francesco Vaiani, Senior Product Manager, SECO W
ith a rapidly growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) and edge devices, their
security vulnerabilities are becoming a hot topic. To protect these devices, strong cybersecurity measures are needed, to ensure uninterrupted service, protect data and safeguard users. This is supported by global regulations, which are constantly evolving to enforce tighter security standards. Leading this effort are the European
Union’s (EU) Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and Radio Equipment Directive (RED). These standards establish an extensive cybersecurity baseline that is shaping global practices for digital and wireless product development. As a result, many companies are facing major challenges as they adjust their business strategies to meet the new rules that will be required of most connected devices to be sold within the EU. Similar regulations have been proposed or are already adopted in other regions, including in the UK with the proposed Cyber Security and Resilience (CS&R) Bill.
Infrastructure attacks Cybersecurity encompasses the protection of devices, networks, firmware and data from external threats. The ultimate aim of cybersecurity implementation in IoT applications is avoiding disruptions that could threaten operations, safety or compliance. Nevertheless, bugs in devices, outdated firmware or not secure communication protocols can give attackers an easy way in, allowing them to assemble botnets, gain unauthorised control and steal data. The Mirai botnet, for example,
commandeered hundreds of thousands
of unprotected IoT devices and flooded targets with large-scale distributed denial-of-service attacks. More recent threats like the Matrix botnet followed the same script and compromised everything from home routers to telecom equipment and IP cameras. Both cases demonstrate how single- device vulnerabilities are enough to compromise a company’s global Internet infrastructure or expose sensitive personal and business data to external parties. To exploit this, modern attackers
increasingly use automation to spot and leverage vulnerabilities across large networks. The rise of AI-powered cyberattacks makes this problem worse by creating more advanced, harder- to-detect threats. To combat this, companies must build cybersecurity into their devices from the start and make security by design (SbD) a central part of their strategy.
EU Cyber Resilience Act requirements Originally taking effect from December 10, 2024, the Cyber Resilience Act marked a key regulatory shift by establishing new cybersecurity expectations for nearly all digital products sold in the EU. Whilst most CRA obligations apply
from December 11, 2027, some aspects of the initiative will take effect earlier. For example, from September 11, 2026, manufacturers must report actively exploited vulnerabilities and severe incidents to EU authorities within 24 hours. This regulation further mandates that companies develop products according to SbD principles whilst managing vulnerabilities
08 December 2025/January 2026
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
throughout the entire product lifecycle, delivering timely security updates and maintaining comprehensive technical documentation that includes a software bill of materials (SBOM). The CRA also decisively strengthens
cybersecurity efforts by targeting the entire product supply chain, extending from manufacturers to importers and distributors. By establishing cybersecurity as a shared regulatory responsibility among these diverse parties, the measure effectively compels compliance, which in turn is now an essential prerequisite for securing the CE marking required for any product to legally access the EU market. The consequences for non-
compliance are steep. Depending on the violation, companies can face severe financial penalties that can reach up to 15 million euros or 2.5% of their global annual revenue, whichever figure is higher. Product bans and recalls are yet another part of this landscape. Given these challenges, a successful implementation of CRA principles means strengthened customer trust and reduced legal and reputational risks. In the CRA era, products are
classified as “default,” “important” (Class I and Class II) or “critical” and require rigorous conformity assessments. These categories cover key devices and software critical to modern infrastructure, such as routers, modems and firewalls, industrial control systems and IoT gateways, operating systems, hypervisors and container runtime systems, identity management systems and privileged access software, and Internet-enabled toys and wearables.
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