Despite the complexity of connected device security and compliance, organizations can implement effective strategies to address common challenges with IoT security:
To protect connected devices, security must be integrated from the earliest stages of product development, not added as an afterthought. This approach aligns with regulatory expectations set out by the EU CRA and produces more secure products.
Security by design includes:
Framework Adoption: Organizations should adopt established security frameworks like NIST's Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) or IEC 62443 for industrial systems. These frameworks provide structured approaches to incorporating security throughout the development lifecycle.
Threat Modeling: Systematic threat modeling helps identify potential vulnerabilities before implementation begins.
70-89% of risk vulnerabilities are addressed by threat modeling
Secure Development Practices: Implementing secure coding standards, automated security testing, and developer security training creates a foundation for secure products. Organizations that integrate security testing throughout development identify vulnerabilities earlier, when the time and cost to resolve them is much lower.
Secure-by-default deployment of connected devices ensures that security is a fundamental aspect of the device from the moment it is installed. This approach minimizes vulnerabilities and reduces the risk of cyber threats. Below are key principles and best practices for achieving a secure-by-default deployment:
Since third-party components introduce security risks, managing security throughout the supply chain is essential for both security and compliance. To better secure connected devices, manufacturers should implement:
Vendor Security Assessment: Implementing formal security assessments for component suppliers helps ensure they meet minimum security standards. These assessments should evaluate security practices, incident response capabilities, and compliance with relevant standards.
Software Composition Analysis (SCA): SCA solutions should be integrated into both development processes and ongoing monitoring to catch newly discovered vulnerabilities in existing components. Using automated tools like Finite State, which can conduct both source code and binary analysis, reduces resource strain and helps security teams identify and track third-party components and their known vulnerabilities, regardless of origin.
Contractual Security Requirements: Establishing formal security requirements in supplier contracts creates clear expectations and accountability. These requirements should address security practices, vulnerability disclosure, and patching responsibilities and timelines for all suppliers.
Regular security testing is essential for identifying vulnerabilities before attackers do:
Penetration Testing: Regular penetration testing by skilled security professionals helps identify vulnerabilities that automated tools might miss. Organizations should conduct penetration tests before major releases and periodically throughout a product's lifetime.
Automated Security Scanning & Real-Time Monitoring: Implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools specifically designed for connected devices, like Finite State, provides continuous visibility into potential security issues. These tools should be incorporated into CI/CD pipelines and deployment processes for complete coverage. Automated scan should cover the following aspects.
Automation cuts time to identify & contain security breaches by 30%
Regulatory frameworks increasingly mandate detailed visibility into software components. To stay compliant, manufacturers should implement:
Automated SBOM Generation: Implementing tools that automatically generate and update Software Bills of Materials reduces the manual effort required for compliance. These tools should integrate with development environments to ensure SBOMs remain current as components change.
Vulnerability Management Processes: Establishing clear processes for identifying, tracking, and remediating vulnerabilities in third-party components helps maintain security throughout a product's lifecycle. These processes should include regular component updates and security patches.
Documentation Standards: Creating standardized templates for security documentation ensures consistency and completeness. These templates should align with regulatory requirements to streamline compliance efforts.
Taking a strategic approach to compliance reduces costs and improves outcomes, which is why organizations should prioritize:
Regulatory Monitoring: Establishing processes to track evolving regulations ensures early awareness of new requirements.
Compliance Automation: Implementing tools that automate aspects of compliance reporting and documentation reduces manual effort.
According to a 2023 McKinsey study, organizations with mature compliance automation reduce compliance costs by up to 30% compared to those relying on manual processes.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Creating collaboration mechanisms between engineering, security, legal, and compliance teams ensures regulatory requirements are understood and addressed throughout product development. Regular cross-functional reviews help identify compliance gaps early.
Connected devices face unique security challenges that traditional approaches often fail to address. From resource constraints and complex supply chains to lifecycle management and physical security concerns, these challenges create significant security risks that increasingly impact regulatory compliance.
As regulatory frameworks evolve to address these risks, manufacturers and organizations deploying connected devices must adapt their security and compliance strategies. By implementing security by design principles, strengthening supply chain security, automating security testing, maintaining transparent documentation, and adopting proactive compliance approaches, organizations can navigate this complex landscape successfully.
The path forward requires a fundamental shift in how organizations approach connected device security—moving from security as a compliance checkbox to security as a core design principle. Those that make this shift will not only meet regulatory requirements but also build more secure, trustworthy products that stand out in an increasingly security-conscious market.
To learn how Finite State helps manufacturers secure connected devices and meet compliance requirements, contact us today.