If you manage IoT, OT, or Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) in the European Union, the regulatory landscape has just shifted beneath your feet.
For years, cybersecurity in operational environments was often a “best effort” endeavor. But with the introduction of the Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS2) and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), it is now a matter of strict legal compliance with significant consequences for non-adherence.
At Viakoo, we know that navigating these acronyms can be daunting. Based on our latest white paper, European Union Cybersecurity Requirements for IoT, OT, and CPS Devices, here is a breakdown of what these changes mean for you and how to stay ahead.
The easiest way to understand the difference between the two major regulations is a simple analogy:
- The CRA (Cyber Resilience Act) ensures the “ingredients” (the devices themselves) are safe. It targets manufacturers, forcing them to build security into their products before they are sold.
- NIS2 ensures the “kitchen” (your operations) is sanitary. It targets operators, forcing them to maintain rigorous security processes once those devices are plugged in.
While the CRA puts the burden on your vendors to provide secure hardware, NIS2 puts the burden on you to keep that hardware secure throughout its lifecycle. Viakoo directly relieves that burden by automating and streamlining the keys required tasks, like high fidelity discovery, updating firmware, changing passwords, and managing certificates.
NIS2: The Operator’s Reality Check:
Effectively active as of October 2024, NIS2 is no longer a “future problem”. It applies to “Essential” and “Important” entities—ranging from energy and transport to manufacturing and waste management. The stakes are high. C-Level executives can now be held personally liable for negligence if their organizations fail to comply.
Your Key Obligations Under NIS2:
- Cyber Hygiene: You must change default credentials and configure devices securely upon installation, and maintain them with the latest firmare.
- Incident Reporting: Significant cyber incidents must be reported to the national CSIRT within 24 hours.
- Supply Chain Security: You are legally bound to assess supplier risks and purchase secure technology.
The CRA: Good News (and a Trap) for Operators:
The Cyber Resilience Act is primarily for manufacturers, requiring them to provide security updates for at least 5 years and ship devices with no default passwords. They must also provide more quickly updated firmware for newly found vulnerabilities. This is a win for operators—you will finally get the tools you need to secure your infrastructure.
But beware the “Retrofit Trap”: If you substantially modify a legacy device (e.g., retrofitting a sensor to an old machine) to extend its life, you may legally become the “manufacturer” of that new system. This shifts the full burden of CRA compliance onto your shoulders.
Beyond NIS2 and CRA
The regulatory web doesn’t stop there. Operators must also keep an eye on:
- EU Machinery Regulation (2027): This redefines “safe machinery.” A cyberattack that causes a machine to malfunction is now considered a safety defect. If your risk assessment doesn’t include cyber risks, your machinery isn’t compliant.
- Radio Equipment Directive (RED): Since August 2025, wireless devices (like Wi-Fi cameras and sensors) must meet mandatory cybersecurity standards to carry the CE mark.
How Viakoo Automates Compliance:
Manual spreadsheets and occasional patching are no longer enough to satisfy EU regulators. You need automated, audit-ready proof of action. Viakoo’s platform is purpose-built to address the most difficult operational hurdles of NIS2 and CRA:
- Automated Asset Discovery: We automatically find all devices, populate key lifecycle info, and identify which devices are behind on updates or have reached their end-of-support date.
- Cyber Hygiene at Scale: Viakoo can assess if devices are using default passwords and deploy firmware patches and certificate updates across your entire fleet in hours, not months.
- The “Last Mile” Solution: Our patented technology manages firmware updates even for devices without direct access to the open internet, keeping your most critical assets compliant.
- Push-Button Reporting: When the auditors call, Viakoo provides the historical data and reporting you need to prove you took action.
Next Steps:
The era of “set it and forget it” for IoT and OT is over. To avoid fines and ensure resilience, organizations must move toward application-based discovery and vulnerability remediation automation. Don’t let compliance become a bottleneck. Contact Viakoo today to learn how we can help you turn these new regulations into an operational advantage.
