Cyber attacks
EU agrees on protection for connected devices
The EU wants to better protect connected devices such as refrigerators from cyber attacks. photo
© Zacharie Scheurer/dpa-tmn/dpa
Not only computers can be attacked online, but also other networked devices. The EU has now agreed on measures to protect them. What does that look like exactly?
Digitally networked devices such as private surveillance cameras or smart refrigerators should be better be protected from cyber attacks. Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU states agreed on this on Friday night in Brussels.
The new rules will therefore apply to all products that are directly or indirectly connected to another device or a network. In the future, consumers should be informed by manufacturers about the cybersecurity of their products. Manufacturers must therefore submit a risk assessment. In addition, actively exploited vulnerabilities must be reported to the relevant authorities.
The regulations are intended to take effect three years after the law comes into force so that manufacturers have enough time to implement the requirements. Parliament and the EU states still have to approve the project, but this is considered a formality.