On October 10, 2024, the European council approved the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), a legal framework that will set bold new standards for every digital product in the European market. From device identity management to post-quantum encryption, the EU CRA challenges businesses to rethink security at every level. 

The recently adopted EU CRA requires hardware, software, and connected devices to meet strict security standards throughout their lifecycle, introducing new obligations around device identity, secure software updates, encryption, and transparency. These measures raise the bar for market access across the European Union, where CE marking compliance will become mandatory by 2027. 

At DigiCert, digital trust is the foundation of everything we do. We provide the solutions businesses need to protect identities, secure data, and maintain compliance—helping organizations align with these new requirements and ensuring they stay secure, trusted, and market-ready. Now is the time to act and turn compliance into a competitive advantage.

How the EU CRA impacts businesses across different sectors

The CRA affects a wide range of industries—the Internet of Things (IoT), software development, manufacturing, automotive, and telecom—requiring businesses to implement end-to-end security frameworks. Compliance is about more than just meeting regulatory requirements; it’s about building trust and safeguarding operations in an increasingly interconnected world. 

The key CRA requirements include:

• Device identity and authentication: Ensuring products are securely onboarded and authenticated to prevent unauthorized access.
• Software updates and vulnerability management: Delivering secure, signed updates and ensuring that any actively exploited vulnerabilities are reported to relevant authorities within 24 hours of detection.
• Encryption and data protection: Encrypting communications and stored data to maintain privacy and prevent breaches. 
• Transparency with software bill of materials (SBOM): Providing visibility into software components to identify vulnerabilities proactively. 
• Future readiness: Products must be able to address future vulnerabilities through security updates.

Meeting these requirements is essential to achieve CE marking and maintain market access across the EU while avoiding penalties that could reach up to 15 million euros or 2.5% of global revenue.

DigiCert solutions for compliance and security

DigiCert offers a comprehensive portfolio to help organizations meet the demands of the CRA and ensure their products remain secure throughout their lifecycle.

• DigiCert Trust Lifecycle Manager
  • Automates certificate issuance and management across diverse ecosystems.
  • Ensures that products remain compliant through centralized certificate management and automated renewals. 
• DigiCert Software Trust Manager
  • Automates code signing and SBOM creation, ensuring software integrity and transparency. 
  • Tracks components and helps eliminate vulnerabilities throughout the software lifecycle for easy regulatory reporting.
• DigiCert TrustCore SDK
  • Provides advanced TLS 1.3 encryption and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to secure communications and future-proof devices.  
  • Integrates with hardware security modules (HSMs) to ensure strong device identity and data integrity.
• DigiCert Device Trust Manager
  • Enables secure onboarding, identity management, and automated firmware updates for connected devices.
  • Helps businesses comply with SBOM and PQC cryptography requirements.

Building a competitive advantage with EU CRA Compliance

The EU CRA represents more than a compliance requirement—it’s a strategic opportunity to enhance security, reduce risk, and build trust. Businesses that align with these standards now will gain a competitive edge, ensuring smoother market entry, higher customer trust, and reduced exposure to security incidents.

Why act now?

Though the EU CRA’s full enforcement won't come into effect until 2027, achieving compliance tomorrow requires planning today. DigiCert helps organizations across industries accelerate their compliance journey by providing tools to manage security across the lifecycle—from identity management to code signing to certificate automation.

A future-ready approach with DigiCert

The EU CRA is a critical step toward creating a more secure digital world. At DigiCert, we empower organizations to not only meet these new requirements but to turn compliance into an advantage. Whether you’re securing connected devices, automating software integrity, or preparing for post-quantum threats, DigiCert’s solutions ensure you’re ready for what’s next.

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