Understanding the Impact of the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) on Software Services

Published by
Aecor

With tech moving ahead faster than ever, it’s no wonder cybersecurity is climbing the ranks of business priorities. Across the UK and Europe, companies are now feeling the push to lock down not just their own systems but also the digital products they create for customers. Enter the EU Cyber Resilience Act (EU CRA) — a big shift in how businesses, especially those in software, need to tackle cybersecurity for everything from apps to smart devices.

The EU Cyber Resilience Act (EU CRA) represents a significant shift in how businesses, particularly in the software sector, must approach cybersecurity for their digital products. This regulation introduces mandatory measures for products with digital elements (PDEs), which include software applications. 

Companies providing software services in the EU or dealing with EU based clients must ensure their solutions meet these new compliance requirements. This blog will help you understand what steps to take to stay prepared.

Which Software Products Are Affected by the EU CRA?

The EU CRA applies to Products with Digital Elements (PDEs), which include any software that is connected to devices or networks. For software companies, this typically includes:

  •  SaaS platforms for data management or analytics.

  •  Cloud based applications providing remote data processing.

  •  Embedded software integrated into smart or connected devices.

If your software handles user data or interacts with digital devices and networks, it’s likely classified as a PDE, meaning it falls under the scope of the EU CRA. Understanding which products are affected is crucial for your business to ensure compliance.

Infographic on 'Products affected by the Cyber Resilience Act' showing three risk categories: Low-Risk, Critical, and Highly Critical, with examples and assessment types.

Key Compliance Obligations for Software Providers

As a UK business providing software services, it’s essential to understand the specific obligations that might affect your products under the EU CRA. Here are the key takeaways:

  1. Cybersecurity Risk Assessments: Ensure that your software is designed with security in mind from the outset. This means integrating cybersecurity risk assessments during the development phase, ensuring that your software can handle data securely.

  2. Vulnerability Management: Software solutions must be built to allow seamless integration with third party vulnerability management systems, ensuring your products remain secure.

  3. Incident Reporting: Any product that experiences a security breach will require rapid reporting and updates. Developing flexible software that can quickly adapt to address incidents and security flaws is key.

Why Compliance is Critical for UK Software Companies

Even if your company doesn’t directly handle cybersecurity, understanding and meeting the EU CRA’s requirements is critical for companies looking to operate in the EU market or work with EU based clients. Compliance is not just about avoiding fines; it’s about gaining client trust and maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.

At Aecor Digital, our goal is to build software solutions that are ready for the security requirements imposed by the EU CRA.

Steps to Prepare for the EU CRA

To ensure your software services are ready for the EU CRA, we recommend taking the following steps:

  1. Assess your product portfolio: Determine which of your software solutions fall under the PDE category.

  2. Collaborate with cybersecurity partners: Partnering with specialised cybersecurity providers will ensure your software meets all security requirements.

  3. Stay updated on regulatory changes: Ensure your team is well versed in the evolving regulatory landscape to remain compliant.

By following these steps, your software company can deliver products that not only meet business needs but also comply with EU regulations, mitigating risks while building trust with clients.

At Aecor Digital, we specialise in developing tailored software solutions designed to integrate seamlessly with security protocols, ensuring your products are fully prepared to meet the requirements of the EU CRA. We help businesses build secure, flexible software that not only complies with regulations but also provides a competitive edge in the market.

Our services include:

Custom software development: We create secure, adaptable software solutions tailored to your business needs.

 Mobile and web application development: Secure, scalable, and user friendly applications built for compliance.

 Ongoing support: We provide post launch support, ensuring that your software can adapt to evolving security needs and regulatory changes.

Contact Aecor Digital today to discuss how our custom software development services can support your business in navigating these regulatory changes.

Follow us

Book a free 30 minute consultation

To understand your requirements and advise on the most suitable way forward.
Get in touch
Richard Stenson

Co-founder and CEO

Richard Stenson is a co-founder and CEO at Aecor with over 18 years of experience as a media and technology executive, entrepreneur and investor.

A graduate from Leeds Business School, Richard spent a number of years working in sales and commercial roles within global telecommunications, internet and IT outsourcing companies including AT&T, Verizon and EDS (now part of Hewlett Packard).

Richard was an investor and executive director at Club Website, building the business into the UK’s largest grassroots football social network with over 1 million users before selling the business in 2015.

Richard’s key responsibilities at Aecor include business strategy and execution, commercial development, financial planning and operations.

Ken Moulton

Ken Moulton

Technical Delivery Director 

Ken Moulton is Technical Delivery Director at Aecor and serves on it’s Leadership Team. Ken has 25+ years experience in the technology sector. Initially with Intel he then spent 14 years with Hewlett Packard where he led software implementation projects across three continents. Ken also played a key role in the management of HP’s offshore software development partners. More recently Ken was a Co-founder and Director of Operations at Teamer, a global player in the sports tech sector and a long term Aecor client.

Ken is a member of Enterprise Ireland’s Business Mentor panel where he provides consultancy to Irish start-ups who have received backing from Enterprise Ireland, which is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Ken is Prince2 certified to Practitioner level.

Johan Haynes

Johan Haynes

Product Director

Johan Haynes is the Product Director of Aecor and serves on it's Leadership Team. Johan was Hive's Global Head of Digital and Ecommerce, responsible for the company’s international digital operations, including end-to-end management of Hive’s ecommerce platform, digital sales channels and online performance across all global regions. He also led Hive's off-shore web resource and championed innovative initiatives including Agile methodologies, data layer architecture and MI, new web tooling and technologies and digital optimisation.

Prior to joining Hive, Johan was CEO and founder of Club Website, an online football start-up leading the company to a successful exit in 2015 (with over 1 million users). Johan also worked with Verizon (formerly MCI-Worldcom) and UUNET working within their International Commercial Bid Management team in London where he led partnership network solutions and integration.

Helen Haynes

Helen Haynes

Managing Director

Helen is Managing Director at Aecor having spent over 20 years in commercial roles spanning from retail buying, sales, and subscription management across both corporate businesses and start ups. Beginning her career in the retail industry, she has led the buying teams of retailers such as Boots, Carphone Warehouse/Best Buy, Woolworths and Jessups. Having then gone on to oversee the commercial teams at both Sky and the British Gas connected home start-up business Hive, Helen also built the Sales and Commercial strategy for other start-ups such as Ocushield and Nolii.

Helen's key responsibilities at Aecor are managing business strategy and performance, Client relationships, financial planning and management.

Richard Stenson

Richard Stenson

Commercial Director

Richard Stenson is Commercial Director at Aecor with over 18 years of experience as a media and technology executive, entrepreneur and investor.

A graduate from Leeds Business School, Richard spent a number of years working in sales and commercial roles within global telecommunications, internet and IT outsourcing companies including AT&T, Verizon and EDS (now part of Hewlett Packard).

Richard was an investor and executive director at Club Website, building the business into the UK’s largest grassroots football social network with over 1 million users before selling the business in 2015.

Richard’s key responsibilities at Aecor include business strategy and execution, commercial development, financial planning and operations.