In 2025, the regulatory environment for connected devices is shifting rapidly, with the regulatory landscape evolving due to new policies like the EU NIS2 Directive and related frameworks. As the risk of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and IoT ecosystems increases, organizations face significant security challenges in this evolving environment. Global governments are introducing new rules to mandate better cybersecurity practices across industries, adding to the growing complexity of regulatory standards for IoT devices across different regions.

Three of the most influential frameworks today—NIST, Executive Order (EO) 14028, and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)—are now defining the benchmark for IoT cybersecurity compliance. Advancements in IoT technology are driving new regulatory initiatives and shaping security standards worldwide. The question for businesses: Are you prepared to meet them?

Introduction to IoT Cybersecurity

The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed industries and daily life, connecting billions of devices and creating a vast, interconnected ecosystem. While this connectivity brings unprecedented convenience and innovation, it also exposes organizations to new cybersecurity risks. As IoT devices become integral to critical infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing, and smart homes, the potential impact of cyber threats grows exponentially.

To address these challenges, governments and regulatory bodies are stepping up with comprehensive frameworks like the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act and the US IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act. These regulations set out minimum security standards and mandatory requirements for device manufacturers, ensuring that security features are built into IoT devices from the outset. The goal is to enhance IoT security, protect against cyber threats, and foster cyber resilience across the entire IoT ecosystem.

For device manufacturers, this means a renewed focus on designing secure products, implementing robust security measures, and ensuring compliance with evolving security standards. As the internet of things continues to expand, prioritizing IoT cybersecurity is essential—not just for regulatory compliance, but for safeguarding the integrity and reliability of our connected world.

🏛️ Key Regulations Impacting IoT Cybersecurity

🇺🇸 NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has updated its CSF to include a focus on network and information security for IoT devices:

• Stronger focus on identity management
• Continuous monitoring and detection; system reliability is a key objective of the NIST CSF to ensure dependable IoT operations
• Secure software development and supply chain risk management
• Enhanced support for operational technology (OT); the NIST framework emphasizes risk analysis as an essential step for identifying vulnerabilities in IoT systems

🏛️ Executive Order 14028 (United States)

This White House directive, issued by the federal government to set cybersecurity standards for federal agencies and their supply chains, mandates Zero Trust architecture across all federal agencies and their supply chains, including:

• Machine identity enforcement
• Secure-by-design system architectures
• Incident response automation and reporting

🇪🇺 Cyber Resilience Act (European Union)

Coming into force across the EU, the CRA requires:

• Security by default in connected products, emphasizing device security as mandated by the CRA
• Transparent software update processes
• Proof of ongoing risk management and lifecycle control

The EU Cybersecurity Act, enacted in 2019, establishes a permanent mandate for ENISA and creates a cybersecurity certification framework for ICT products, including IoT devices. The act addresses fragmentation in cybersecurity standards across the EU by ensuring a harmonized regulatory environment and promoting standardized security measures for device security.

Data Protection and Sharing in IoT Compliance

Data protection is at the heart of IoT cybersecurity compliance. With IoT devices routinely collecting, processing, and transmitting sensitive information, robust security measures are essential to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) impose strict requirements on how data is collected, stored, and shared, making compliance a top priority for device manufacturers.

The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act further strengthens these obligations by introducing mandatory cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements, including IoT devices. This means manufacturers must implement advanced security features like encryption, secure data transmission protocols, and continuous vulnerability monitoring to ensure compliance and protect sensitive information.

Guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) also emphasizes the importance of ongoing risk assessment, patch management, and security management throughout the device lifecycle. By adopting these best practices and adhering to national and international standards, organizations can enhance cyber resilience, minimize security risks, and maintain customer trust in an increasingly connected world.

🔐 How Device Authority Enables Compliance

KeyScaler 2025 is purpose-built to support organisations navigating this regulatory shift. To ensure ongoing security, KeyScaler enables continuous compliance by regularly evaluating and upholding cybersecurity and regulatory requirements. With AI-enhanced automation, KeyScaler empowers teams to simplify compliance for organizations by streamlining complex regulatory processes and frameworks.

• 🔑 Issue, rotate, and revoke trusted machine identities automatically
• 📜 Enforce Zero Trust policies and track device compliance status
• 📡 Secure over-the-air (OTA) updates with cryptographic integrity
• 🧠 Use real-time risk scoring and anomaly detection for threat response
• 📝 Maintain auditable logs aligned with NIST and CRA documentation standards
• 📊 Leverage data analytics to monitor device behavior, detect anomalies, and support compliance efforts

🏥 Use Case: Regulatory Compliance in Healthcare IoT

A European healthcare provider, recognizing the growing importance of cybersecurity for consumer IoT products in healthcare settings, needed to ensure CRA compliance for connected diagnostic devices, including medical devices that must meet strict regulatory and data privacy requirements, and comply with NIS2 and GDPR. By implementing KeyScaler, they:

• Achieved full device visibility and risk classification
• Automated certificate provisioning without device agents
• Reduced compliance audit prep from weeks to hours
• Protected patient data across hybrid environments

Compliant IoT solutions in healthcare enable secure health monitoring and data sharing, supporting real-time patient assessments and improved outcomes.

✅ How to Get Ahead of Compliance Pressure

1. Conduct a gap analysis against NIST, EO 14028, and CRA requirements. IoT device manufacturers should pay special attention to understanding and implementing security requirements mandated by these regulations as part of their compliance strategy.
2. Automate identity provisioning and certificate rotation
3. Centralise compliance reporting for all IoT and OT assets
4. Use KeyScaler’s AI features to continuously assess and enforce policy

Conclusion

IoT cybersecurity compliance is no longer a checkbox—it’s a competitive differentiator. With KeyScaler 2025, Device Authority helps organisations turn regulatory pressure into an opportunity for better security, visibility, and trust.

👉 Explore KeyScaler’s compliance-ready features👉 Download our IoT/OT Compliance Guide👉 Use the ROI Calculator to model compliance savings👉 Device Authority Help Center

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Conclusion and Future Outlook

In summary, IoT cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field where regulatory compliance is essential for protecting connected devices and the sensitive information they handle. As the IoT ecosystem expands, so do the cybersecurity threats and the need for robust security features in every IoT device. Regulations like the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act and the US IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act are driving the adoption of higher security standards, making it imperative for device manufacturers to ensure compliance and stay ahead of emerging risks.

Looking forward, the future of IoT security will be shaped by greater adoption of IoT security certification, continuous monitoring, and streamlined compliance processes. Industry standards and best practices will play a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity and building a resilient IoT ecosystem. By prioritizing security, embracing continuous improvement, and working collaboratively across sectors, we can ensure that IoT technologies continue to deliver value—safely and securely—for years to come.