Why EU Cybersecurity compliance matters
The exponential growth of digital products—both hardware and software—has brought new risks to users and networks. In response, the European Union has introduced two major regulatory frameworks to ensure that cybersecurity is built into digital devices and services by design: the RED Directive 3.3 and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
These frameworks form the foundation of cybersecurity EU compliance, making it mandatory for manufacturers to adopt secure development practices, manage vulnerabilities, and communicate transparently throughout the product lifecycle. This article offers a practical overview of both regulations and explains how Abinsula supports companies in navigating these complex obligations.
RED Directive 3.3: Securing connected devices
The RED Directive 3.3 (Radio Equipment Directive, 2014/53/EU) focuses on radio-connected products such as smartphones, IoT devices, wearables, and wireless-enabled hardware. Under Delegated Regulation (EU 2022/30), manufacturers are required to implement mechanisms that protect networks from disruption, safeguard users’ personal data, and prevent unauthorized access and fraud.
From August 1, 2025, these obligations will be enforceable, making RED 3.3 a critical compliance milestone for any company placing radio-connected devices on the EU market. For manufacturers of Linux-based embedded systems, this means applying security measures at the system level—such as Secure Boot, encrypted filesystems, and kernel hardening—to align with RED’s objectives. These practices ensure that devices are secure not just in theory but in practice, right from the hardware level.
Cyber Resilience Act: Security by Design for All Digital Products
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) takes a broader and more comprehensive approach. It covers all digital products that connect to a network or another device, including not just hardware but also software components like operating systems, applications, libraries, and cloud interfaces.
Compliance with the CRA requires organizations to embed security by design in their development workflows. This includes maintaining accurate software documentation—particularly the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)—monitoring for known vulnerabilities through CVE tracking, and deploying regular security updates. Companies are also expected to define a clear support timeline, including end-of-support dates, and to notify both users and competent authorities of any significant cybersecurity incidents.
The regulation came into force in December 2024 and will be fully enforceable from December 2027. Penalties for non-compliance are substantial, with fines reaching up to €15 million or 2.5% of a company’s global annual turnover.
Embedded devices and CRA challenges
Digital products based on embedded Linux, such as those using Yocto or Debian, present unique challenges under the CRA. These systems often rely on numerous third-party components and open-source libraries. Maintaining visibility into those components is critical, not only for vulnerability tracking but also for demonstrating compliance. Preparing a comprehensive SBOM and ensuring its accuracy becomes a key compliance task.
In addition, embedded systems must be configured to enable security features by default. This includes activating only the necessary services, locking down system configurations, and preventing unnecessary network exposure. Long-term support is another essential pillar: developers must have a strategy in place for delivering security updates throughout the product’s lifecycle, even after it has left the factory.
CRA also introduces the need for a formal process of incident handling. Companies are expected to respond rapidly to detected threats, issue patches promptly, and maintain clear channels of communication with both users and regulators. These are not one-time actions but ongoing obligations that require dedicated infrastructure and planning.
How Abinsula supports your compliance journey
Navigating cybersecurity EU compliance requires both regulatory insight and deep technical expertise. Abinsula provides tailored consulting services to help organizations interpret these requirements in the context of their specific product portfolio and development practices.
Our consulting process begins with a thorough assessment of your current workflows, technologies, and risk exposure. We then design a strategy to address compliance gaps, align your development practices with security-by-design principles, and integrate long-term update and vulnerability management plans. Whether you are developing a connected sensor, an industrial controller, or a software platform, we guide you through the entire compliance process.
Our team’s strength lies in its combined knowledge of embedded systems, regulatory frameworks, and real-world development constraints. We don’t just tell you what to fix—we work with you to build secure, resilient, and regulation-ready products.
Conclusion
The shift from voluntary recommendations to mandatory cybersecurity EU compliance is already reshaping how digital products are developed, deployed, and maintained. With RED 3.3 becoming mandatory in 2025 and the CRA following in 2027, the time to act is now. Preparing early allows you to reduce business risk, improve product trust, and maintain access to the European market.
If you are unsure where to begin or how these regulations apply to your specific case, Abinsula is here to help. We provide personalized support for manufacturers, developers, and product managers looking to secure their product portfolio and build a compliance roadmap.
Contact Abinsula to start your compliance journey today.
