Designing electronics development securely - focus on cyber security

In today’s digital world, electronic products are omnipresent. They are no longer just simple devices – they communicate with each other, store data and interact with cloud systems. This networking creates enormous opportunities, but also harbors risks: cyberattacks on networked systems are constantly on the rise.

With the new Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), the European Union is introducing binding security standards for all devices and software products sold in the EU for the first time. This will finally make cyber security a key quality feature of modern electronics development.

As a development partner for electronic systems, we consistently integrate security aspects into every step of our projects – from the initial idea to the finished product. For us, cyber security is not an additional expense, but an integral part of product quality and a decisive success factor for our customers.

WHAT IS THE CYBER RESILIENCE ACT (CRA)?

The Cyber Resilience Act is a European regulation that specifies the minimum level of cyber security that all products with digital elements must meet. This includes hardware products with networked functions – such as smart home devices, smartphones or smartwatches – as well as software products such as apps or computer programs.

The aim of the CRA is to increase cyber security in the EU, minimize risks and strengthen the protection of end users. It is important that the requirements of the CRA are already taken into account during product development. Products must be developed according to the principles of secure by design and secure by default. This means that security is considered from the outset and the most secure configuration is activated by default. Potential vulnerabilities should be identified and suitable countermeasures planned as early as the concept phase.

Secure by Design

Security is integrated into the development process right from the start. Potential vulnerabilities are identified and protective measures implemented as early as the planning stage for hardware, firmware or software.

Secure by default

Products are delivered with the most secure configuration activated by default without the user having to change any settings.

The CRA not only affects new developments, but can also be relevant for products that are already on the market – especially if they have software updates, cloud connections or communication interfaces.

Many of the products from our electronics development fall into the area of connected hardware devices (IoT), meaning that CRA requirements are relevant for a large part of our portfolio. This shows how important it is for us to consider cyber security early on in the product development process.

CYBER SECURITY IN EVERY PHASE OF ELECTRONICS DEVELOPMENT

Cybersecurity affects all phases of product development – from the circuitry to the firmware to the cloud connection. Threat analyses and risk assessments can help to identify potential vulnerabilities right from the early concept phase.

Our development team is regularly trained and sensitized to potential security risks. This continuous training ensures that security is not just seen as an isolated issue, but is firmly anchored in our development processes. This shared understanding of security requirements enables our developers to identify risks at an early stage, take proactive countermeasures and create innovative solutions that meet the highest security standards.

For our customers, this means that they receive products that are designed from the ground up to be secure, function reliably and guarantee the protection of their data. Thanks to the security awareness of our team, they can rely on their processes running smoothly and risks being minimized.

DATA PROTECTION AND DATA MINIMIZATION

Data protection and data security are firmly integrated into every step of our product development. A central component of this is data minimization: we only collect and store the data that is really necessary for the functionality of the product. In this way, we meet the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and actively protect the data of our customers and their end customers.

Through this consistent implementation, we avoid the unnecessary processing of sensitive information. For our customers, this means a higher level of security and trust – they can rest assured that their data and their customers’ data will be handled responsibly and protected from misuse.

ADVANTAGES OF SAFE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

The integration of cyber security into electronics development brings numerous advantages:

Protection against attacks and data loss: Networked devices are potential targets – secure products protect customer data and operational processes.
Reliability of the products: Security gaps can lead to failures or malfunctions; secure products reduce this risk.
Avoidance of production or operational disruptions: Safety incidents can cause considerable costs, especially in industrial applications.
Long-term value retention: Products that have been developed securely from the outset remain reliable, updatable and trustworthy.
Easy maintenance and updates: Products that support security updates remain protected over their entire life cycle.
Verifiable security: Customers who are themselves subject to regulatory requirements (e.g. EU regulations, ISO standards) benefit from documented security measures.

ROLE OF THE CRA FOR END CONSUMERS

The Cyber Resilience Act not only creates a clear framework for manufacturers, but also offers end consumers a significantly higher level of security and trust. Binding minimum standards mean that users can be sure that all products with digital elements in the EU meet a defined level of security.

The CRA also obliges manufacturers to support their products throughout their entire life cycle – for example, through regular security updates and consistent lifecycle management. The mandatory risk management measures and reporting obligations in the event of security incidents also help to identify and prevent potential damage at an early stage.

Manufacturers can apply to the BSI for the voluntary IT security mark (ITSiK) for CRA-compliant products. After successful verification, the manufacturer receives permission to advertise their product with the mark and an entry is created in the BSI database. This enables consumers to transparently see which products meet the CRA requirements.

For end consumers, this creates a high degree of transparency and trust in product quality. Overall, the CRA strengthens digital security in the EU and creates a solid foundation for reliable, safe and sustainable products in the long term.

Today, cyber security is far more than just a technical detail – it is a decisive quality feature of modern electronic products. The Cyber Resilience Act ensures that security standards are implemented on a binding basis throughout the EU and that a uniform level of protection is created for all products with digital components.

As a result, cyber security is not only an integral part of our development processes, but also a central element of our quality and corporate philosophy – and offers our customers decisive added value: secure, reliable and future-proof products that meet all regulatory requirements.

Are you planning a new electronic product and want to meet the requirements of the CRA reliably right from the start?

We support you in specifically integrating safety aspects into your product development – from the concept phase through to series production. We also offer targeted consulting and analysis services as part of re-design projects: We review existing product concepts, evaluate safety-related risks and derive specific recommendations for necessary adjustments and changes.