This recent revelation means that tech manufacturers must follow a stringent set of rules and regulations if they wish to continue selling in the future. Failure to follow these new regulations could result in fines and other potential penalties.
From a Netitude point of view, it will make it easier to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus in the long term. When we detect vulnerabilities as part of our Managed Cyber Security service, devices are more likely to be updated rather than needing replacement. It also raises default security across the board for businesses and home users.
IoTs, or the Internet of Things, have seen significant development in the digitally driven era we live in today. The term itself refers to the idea of connecting everyday objects to the Internet so they can send and receive data.
Think of IoTs as an interconnected network of technologically enabled devices (thermostat, refrigerator) that you’d typically find in most modern homes and businesses. These tech appliances can communicate with each other and with you via the internet – hence the name!
These rules have been introduced to enhance security for the increasing number of "smart" technologies populating UK households and workplaces. In the home, these "smart" pieces of tech include things as innocuous as baby monitors, flatscreen TVs, or Bluetooth speakers that connect to the household's Wi-Fi. The most common IoTs in the workplace include smart sensors, climate control configurations, and security control systems (IoT cameras and smart locks).
These rules aim to target three primary areas of security enhancement:
These new measures, introduced earlier in the year, only apply to relevant products that can connect to the internet or a network. The following technological devices are not covered, as only internet-enabled 'smart' devices can be applied with the stringent regulations:
Securing our technological devices has never been more important as we enter the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). There are some reasons to consider the growing importance of IoT security and why governments have started to take the necessary steps to regulate these smart technologies.
The number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has grown exponentially in recent years, and Statista reports that this trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future. According to the leading global data and business intelligence platform (Statista), 'the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices worldwide is forecast to almost double from 15.9 billion in 2023 to more than 32.1 billion IoT devices in 2030'.
This highlights just how much of a part IoTs have to play during the 4IR as businesses across various sectors (gas, steam & A/C, water supply & waste management, retail & wholesale, transportation & storage, and government) all opt and advocate for these game-changing pieces of tech.
The number one reason the UK government will have taken matters into its own hands concerning enforcing the new laws on IoT devices that we mentioned earlier is because of some of the critical security challenges that they pose.
Many IoT devices will be released into the market with default or easily guessable passwords as standard. This encourages cyber attackers to pinpoint IoTs as vulnerabilities and weak spots within an organisation's cyber defences.
It's clear that current IoT devices being manufactured lack regular patching and updates—hence why this is a security challenge that was set to be tackled in the robust measures set out in the UK's consumer connectable product security regime.
Regulations will have been proposed to tackle the negligence shown by IoT manufacturers regarding facilitating regular security updates. This negligence can prove costly, as unpatched devices can hold business-critical data and personal information while remaining vulnerable to being exploited by potential attackers.
As technology advances, so does the need for upskilling in the people handling the devices. When the number of skilled professionals outweighs the technological advancement, you are left with a skills gap.
IoT devices require skilled technical professionals to maximise their unique and diverse capabilities. However, attaining these qualified professionals is another challenge altogether, with Forbes Advisor releasing a report in 2023 indicating that '93% of UK businesses say there is an IT skills gap'.
Without the workforce to tackle this issue, businesses leave themselves open to exploitation as they face an increased risk of cybersecurity incidents.
Knowing what course is best for your manufacturing business can be tough, especially in the modern working world, where so many technological influences bind us. By partnering with a leading Managed IT Service Provider (ranked 291st globally), you can put your worries to bed by letting us sweat the small stuff—ensuring your business remains compliant and secure—while you get to focus on making your business tick.
Our Managed Cyber Security (MCS) services provide clients with a tailored, multi-layered security solution. This comprehensive offering helps our clients manage and enhance their cybersecurity defences, focusing on providing organisations with holistic protection while concentrating on risk management.
If you would like any more information on Cyber Essentials, we recommend that you peruse our latest blog post, Breaking Down the Cyber Essentials Accreditations. For more information on our Managed Cyber Security (MCS) packages, check out our website.