Learn how the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act is redefining industrial cybersecurity – and how Cumulocity empowers global manufacturers to stay ahead.
The manufacturing industry is rapidly transforming as connectivity and software become integral to industrial equipment. With this digital evolution comes a new reality: cybersecurity is no longer optional – it’s a core business requirement.
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) introduces a new regulatory framework that requires manufacturers of connected equipment to ensure cybersecurity throughout the entire lifecycle of their products, from design to decommissioning. While the regulation originates in the EU, its impact reaches far beyond regional borders, setting new global standards for industrial cybersecurity.
A New Era of Accountability
The Cyber Resilience Act obliges manufacturers to address security vulnerabilities in their products promptly and transparently. Smart equipment – machines embedded with software and connected to networks – must now be treated as cyber-physical systems that need continuous protection.
Manufacturers will be required to report critical vulnerabilities within 24 hours and provide security updates for up to five years after a product’s release. This shift demands ongoing monitoring, efficient update management, and a proactive cybersecurity mindset across engineering, operations, and service teams.
For many equipment makers, this represents a major organizational challenge — but also an opportunity to modernize, standardize, and future-proof their digital operations.
Turning Compliance into Competitive Advantage
Complying with the CRA isn’t just about avoiding penalties. Forward-looking manufacturers view it as a catalyst for innovation.
By implementing robust security-by-design principles, companies can build customer trust, enhance operational resilience, and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market. Furthermore, Cyber Resilience (driven by CRA) is a prerequisite for Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS). With the right IoT and device management platform, manufacturers can remotely monitor firmware, detect anomalies, and deploy software updates securely, ensuring compliance at scale while minimizing manual intervention.
Cloud-Driven Security: The Power of Connected Intelligence
A centralized, cloud-based approach to device and software management is essential for meeting the CRA’s technical requirements efficiently. Platforms like Cumulocity enable manufacturers to maintain full visibility over connected machines worldwide, including software versions, configurations, and security status.
This visibility empowers organizations to automate software updates, manage vulnerabilities, and deliver new value-added services such as predictive maintenance and data-driven optimization. By uniting operational technology (OT) and IT security, manufacturers can transition from reactive patching to proactive cyber resilience.
Preparing for the Future
The EU Cyber Resilience Act sets a new global benchmark for any industrial product with digital elements sold in the EU, and its principles will likely shape regulations far beyond Europe.
Manufacturers that start now can use the next few years to strengthen their security posture, align internal processes, and leverage technology that simplifies compliance. Investing early in cloud-based device management, secure software supply chains, and continuous threat monitoring will not only reduce risk but also open the door to scalable, data-driven business models.
Ultimately, cyber resilience isn’t just about regulation – it’s about ensuring trust, continuity, and competitiveness in a connected world.
If you’d like to learn more about navigating the EU Cyber Resilience Act then read our whitepaper or take our CRA readiness assessment.