As of this year, 43% of UK businesses and 30% of charities have already reported a significant cyber breach. The financial impact is equally staggering, with the average cost of a data breach for UK organisations reaching £3.29 million. For manufacturers and software developers, the message is clear: the era of "shipping now and patching later" is officially over.

The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) has set a new global benchmark for digital safety, forcing every connectable product — from industrial sensors to mobile apps — to be secure by design. For UK firms, this isn't just a "European issue." Between the CRA and the UK's own PSTI Act, the regulatory noose is tightening.

What the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) Means for You

The CRA is a disruptive piece of legislation designed to eliminate the culture of insecure hardware and software. It mandates that any product with digital elements (PDE) must meet strict security standards before entering the market.

Core Obligations for Manufacturers:

  • Security by Design: You must eliminate known vulnerabilities and implement secure default settings during the development phase.
  • The CE Mark of Compliance: To sell in the EU, your product must bear the CE marking, proving it meets rigorous security requirements.
  • A 5-Year Duty of Care: Manufacturers are now legally required to provide security updates for at least five years or the product's expected lifetime.
  • 24-Hour Incident Reporting: Actively exploited vulnerabilities must be reported to authorities within 24 hours of discovery.

UK Focus: Comparing PSTI and CRA

While the CRA covers a vast array of digital products, the UK's Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act 2024 remains the primary hurdle for consumer IoT devices in Britain. Navigating both requires a dual-track compliance strategy.

In addition to these, the UK's Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (2026) is now in motion, expanding the scope of NIS regulations to protect supply chains and managed service providers (MSPs). At Consulting4Sec, we help you bridge the gap between these overlapping domestic and international regimes.

Strategic Alignment: ISO 27001 and ISO 42001

Compliance is more manageable when mapped to international frameworks. We recommend two critical standards for the current landscape:

  • ISO/IEC 27001: This provides the Information Security Management System (ISMS) framework necessary to manage the organisational risks that the CRA and PSTI identify.
  • ISO/IEC 42001: As AI becomes a core component of digital products, this Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) standard ensures your AI-driven features are developed ethically and securely, satisfying the specific AI-related clauses within new cyber regulations.

The 2026 Compliance Timeline

The clock is ticking. While full enforcement of the CRA is set for 2027, the first major hurdle arrives this year:

  • 11 September 2026: Mandatory reporting begins. You must have processes in place to report vulnerabilities and incidents.
  • 11 December 2027: Full Application. Every digital product on the shelf must be fully compliant and CE-marked.

How Consulting4Sec Empowers Your Business

Navigating the transition from development to a fully compliant, market-ready product requires expert oversight. At Consulting4Sec, we provide the specialised consultancy needed to ensure your business stays ahead of the curve:

  • Gap Analysis: We assess your current product lifecycle against CRA and PSTI requirements to identify critical security flaws.
  • ISO Implementation: We guide you through achieving ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 certifications to build a foundation of trust.
  • Risk Management & Audits: Our experts conduct thorough internal audits and risk assessments to ensure your "Security by Design" is water-tight.
  • Cyber Security Training: We equip your development and management teams with the knowledge to maintain compliance long-term.