Home Cyber The EU Cyber Resilience Act and the UK

The EU Cyber Resilience Act and the UK

by Andy Clutton

European Union lawmakers have proposed the Cyber Resilience Act, designed to address the vulnerabilities associated with smart devices. The Act is set to establish mandatory cybersecurity requirements for “products with digital elements” to be put on the EU market – this includes both hardware and software; anything connected has a risk of being infiltrated.

Whilst the UK is no longer in the EU, the UK should take notes: new research has found only 21% of UK home workers say their employer has established a cybersecurity policy for the use of smart devices in the home office.

Keiron Holyome, VP, UKI, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa at BlackBerry commented on the news: “As the EU launches its Cyber Resilience Act to protect European consumers and businesses from the risks caused by insecure digital products, the UK must sit up and take notice. This act should not be viewed as a European requirement, but in fact a new global standard.

“The EU’s new act further highlights that British organisations must take action, particularly when it comes to the use of potentially insecure smart devices for home working. In fact, BlackBerry’s latest research found that only 21% of UK home workers say their employer has established a cybersecurity policy for the use of smart devices in the home office. As such, there is a huge opening for cybercriminals looking to target UK enterprises, with knock-on effects to employees themselves.

“Although smart devices may seem innocent, bad actors can easily access home networks with connections to company devices – or company data on consumer devices – and steal intellectual property worth millions. Therefore, it is vital that British organisations evaluate their cybersecurity defences now, while introducing mandatory cybersecurity requirements for hardware and software products used by employees for home working. ”

BlackBerry surveyed 1,000 British home workers on security when it comes to their use of smart devices:

  • Amidst the cost of living crisis, smart devices are booming. Smart meters were the most purchased (19%) in general, with 71% of those purchased over the last two years and similarly (79%) of smart thermostats purchased in the last two years.
  • Yet, 68% of UK home workers don’t prioritise security in top three purchase factors for smart devices, putting home and business cyber-safety at risk
  • What’s more, 79% of all UK businesses take no steps to secure home internet connection or provide software protection for home devices
  • Only 21% of UK home workers say their employer has established a cybersecurity policy with advice for smart devices for the home office
  • This heightens the risk of cyberattacks for businesses and their employees, as hybrid and home working remain the norm.

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