Do you know what this new law covers? What the legislation requires? What the penalties are for non-compliance and how companies can achieve compliance?
The government mandated compliance with the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 by 29th April 2024.
The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act requires manufacturers, importers and distributors to ensure that minimum security requirements are met in relation to consumer connectable products that are available in the UK and provides a robust regulatory framework for non-compliance.
The adoption of cyber security requirements within these products is poor – only 1 in 5 manufacturers embed basic security requirements in consumer connectable products, although consumers overwhelmingly assume these products are secure. Hackers know and regularly exploit these vulnerabilities.
What does the law cover?
This law applies to all consumer IoT products, including but not limited to:
- connected safety-relevant products such as door locks
- connected home automation and alarm systems
- Internet of Things base stations and hubs to which multiple devices connect
- smart home assistants
- smartphones
- smoke detectors
- connected cameras
- connected fridges, washers, freezers, coffee machines
What does the legislation require?
The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure legislation covers the following three main security features:
- Consumer IoT devices will not be allowed to have universal default passwords
This makes it easier for consumers to configure their devices securely to prevent them being hacked by cyber criminals - Consumer IoT devices will have to have a vulnerability disclosure policy
This means manufacturers must have a plan for how to deal with weaknesses in software which means it’s more likely that such weaknesses will be addressed properly - Consumer IoT devices will need to disclose how long they will receive software updates
This means that software updates are created and released to maintain the security of the device throughout its declared lifespan
What are the penalties for not complying with the legislation?
The robust regulatory framework within the law contains an enforcement regime with civil and criminal sanctions aimed at preventing insecure products being made available on the UK market within it. This enforcement regime enables the government to take a range of actions against companies that are not compliant with the law. This includes:
- Enforcement Notices: Compliance notices, Stop notices and Recall notices
- Monetary penalties: the greater of £10 million or 4% of the company’s qualifying worldwide revenue
- Forfeiture: of stock which is in the possession or control of any manufacturer, importer or distributor of the products, or an authorised representative
What needs to be done?
Businesses who produce or supply IoT connected products need to ensure that they are sighted on this law and have taken the appropriate steps to ensure that they are compliant with its requirements. Just to repeat, the compliance date was 29th April 2024.
These minimum security requirements contained within the law are based on the UK’s Code of Practice for Consumer IoT security, the leading global standard for consumer IoT security ETSI EN 303 645, and on advice from the UK’s technical authority for cyber threats, the National Cyber Security Centre.
The regime will also ensure other businesses in the supply chains of these products play their role in preventing insecure consumer products from being sold to UK consumers and businesses.
How can SBD’s Secure Connected Device accreditation help with compliance?
Secured by Design’s (SBD) Secure Connected Device accreditation scheme, developed in consultation with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), helps companies to get their products appropriately assessed against all 13 provisions of the ETSI EN 303 645 standard, a requirement that goes beyond the Government’s legislation so that companies can not only demonstrate their compliance with the legislation but help protect themselves, their products and customers. It is a unique and recognisable accreditation that highlights products as having achieved the relevant IoT standards and certification.
In addition, the Secure Connected Device accreditation ensures compliance with evolving government requirements and cyberthreats, via an annual appraisal.
The Secure Connected Device accreditation is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for the security of their IoT products in the UK. Find out more on SBD’s Secure Connected Device accreditation and the companies who have achieved it to date at www.securedbydesign.com/IoT
