Dr. Mohammadali Farjoo – intellcert Australia/New Zealand
On October 10, 2024, the European Union (EU) officially adopted the Cyber Resilience Act (Act), a landmark legislative effort to strengthen cybersecurity across various digital products and services. This new law introduces binding cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements placed on the EU market, marking a critical shift for manufacturers, innovation managers, tech transfer offices, certification bodies, auditors and beyond.
With the rapid integration of connected devices into our daily lives, from smart home appliances to medical devices and industrial equipment, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more urgent. The Cyber Resilience Act now requires that any product bearing the CE mark, indicating compliance with EU safety standards, also meets strict cybersecurity criteria throughout its lifecycle.
A Major Impact on Innovation and Product Development
For innovation managers and entrepreneurs, the Act represents a significant change. It affects the entire product development cycle, from initial design to post-market surveillance. Businesses primarily focused on bringing innovative digital products to market must now incorporate cybersecurity into their design and development processes as a core element of product safety.
In particular, Tech Transfer Offices (TTOs), which play a vital role in translating academic research into marketable technologies, must integrate these new cybersecurity requirements into their technology commercialisation strategies. Projects that once focused solely on functionality and technical readiness must demonstrate cybersecurity resilience as part of their investment readiness levels (IRL) before receiving market approval.
The Role of Certification Bodies and Auditors
For certification bodies and auditors, especially those working with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security management, there is a growing demand to adapt to the Cyber Resilience Act’s requirements. The Act mandates that manufacturers, importers, and distributors take responsibility for product security throughout the entire supply chain. This means that more industries than ever will require cybersecurity certifications to maintain compliance.
Certification bodies now need to extend their expertise to cover the cybersecurity landscape, offering services that ensure digital products meet the regulatory standards set by the Act. Auditors, meanwhile, will play a key role in verifying that these cybersecurity measures are properly implemented, making it crucial for professionals in this space to be familiar with both ISO/IEC standards and the specifics of the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act.
Challenges for an Aging Population: Digital Literacy and Cybersecurity
While the technical challenges associated with complying with the Act are significant, cybersecurity literacy among end-users is also a broader societal issue to consider. In a world where even everyday consumer products are increasingly „smart“ and connected, ensuring that all users can safely and effectively engage with these technologies becomes critical.
Countries like Italy and Portugal, with a median age of ~47[1], and others with aging populations face a unique challenge within the EU. In these countries, almost one-fifth of the population is 64 or older. The digital divide among the elderly could make adopting the cybersecurity hygiene needed to interact safely with modern digital products harder. This raises an important question: How can we ensure that older generations are not left behind in this new cybersecurity landscape?
Governments will need to invest in digital literacy programs targeting these vulnerable populations, ensuring they can navigate a world where cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated and widespread. Public-private partnerships could play a role here, with industry players offering training or simplified interfaces to make digital products more accessible to older users. Additionally, this could lead to new opportunities for product designers to create more intuitive cybersecurity features for all age groups.
Reshaping Industry Value Chains: Opportunities for IT Consultants
Implementing the Cyber Resilience Act will reverberate through the entire value chain of industries dependent on digital technologies. Every player in the chain, from component manufacturers to software developers, must reassess how they operate, source materials, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity requirements. This presents a significant opportunity for IT consultants, who can offer expertise in assessing risk, implementing compliance measures, and ensuring that companies meet these new regulatory standards.
With businesses under pressure to adapt quickly, cybersecurity consultants will be more essential than ever in helping industries navigate these new regulations. These consultants will have opportunities to advise companies on compliance and improving their overall cybersecurity posture, positioning themselves as key partners in business continuity planning and digital transformation strategies.
Moreover, the current effect of the Cyber Resilience Act will likely create new markets for cybersecurity solutions across sectors like healthcare, automotive, industrial automation, and consumer electronics. Companies offering IoT security services, vulnerability assessment tools, and secure software development practices will be in high demand, creating fertile ground for IT professionals to expand their services and innovations.
The Road Ahead: A Call for Collaboration
The Cyber Resilience Act marks a new era in digital product security across Europe and, consequently, worldwide. As with any major regulatory change, it will take time for industries to adapt, but it’s clear that cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it is a shared responsibility that stretches across product development teams, business leaders, regulators, and even end-users.
Now more than ever, collaboration between industries, governments, certification bodies, and educational institutions will be key to ensuring that digital products remain both innovative and secure. This is a moment for professionals in innovation management, tech transfer, and certification to seize new opportunities and become leaders in the movement toward a more cyber-resilient future.
Key Takeaways:
- The Cyber Resilience Act impacts a broad spectrum of industries, requiring compliance with new cybersecurity standards for digital products bearing the CE mark.
- Innovation managers, tech transfer offices, and certification bodies must adapt to the Act’s requirements, focusing on building cybersecurity into the development process from the ground up.
- Governments must improve cybersecurity literacy among all citizens, focusing on aging populations, who are more vulnerable to digital threats.
- The new regulations create significant opportunities for IT consultants and cybersecurity experts to offer compliance solutions and services.
This legislation calls for greater collaboration across industries, regulators, and end-users to ensure a secure and resilient digital future.
