The regulatory landscape for IoT compliance is rapidly evolving, with complex regulatory frameworks emerging across different regions. These frameworks impact how organizations approach device security, data management, and market access, making it essential to stay informed and adaptable. In the US, for example, NIST guidance plays a significant role. NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, develops and promotes cybersecurity standards and guidelines that shape IoT security requirements and industry best practices.

Compliance is now mission-critical, automated, continuous, and embedded into business processes. As new regulations are introduced, compliance readiness becomes crucial for manufacturers, importers, and distributors to ensure they can meet both current and future regulatory requirements.

Introduction

Regulators worldwide are taking decisive action to strengthen cybersecurity in connected technologies. For enterprises and manufacturers, this means that compliance is no longer optional — it is mission-critical.

Two frameworks stand out in 2025:

• UNECE WP.29 – mandating cybersecurity and software update management for new vehicle types.
• The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) – setting baseline cybersecurity standards for connected products across Europe.

Together with NIST guidance in the US and healthcare-specific rules like HIPAA, organisations face a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. To secure IoT at scale, compliance must be automated, continuous, and embedded into security architecture.

Introduction to IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the way we live and work by connecting billions of physical devices—ranging from smart thermostats and wearable health monitors to industrial sensors—through the internet. These IoT devices leverage advanced sensors, communication hardware, and IoT technology to seamlessly bridge the physical and digital worlds, enabling smart devices to collect, analyze, and share data autonomously.

The explosive growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) is fueled by affordable computing, enhanced connectivity, and breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and data analytics. As more organizations deploy IoT devices, the need to address cyber threats and strengthen device security becomes paramount. Regulatory initiatives like the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act are now essential to ensuring compliance and safeguarding the expanding ecosystem of connected devices.

Why IoT Regulatory Compliance Is Different

IoT and OT devices pose unique compliance challenges:

• Device Diversity – From medical equipment to automotive ECUs, devices vary widely.
• Lifecycle Complexity – Devices can remain in use for 10–20 years, outlasting typical IT systems.
• Unmanaged Identities – Many devices ship with weak credentials or no identity at all.
• Scale – Billions of devices must be tracked and secured simultaneously, introducing significant security challenges in managing and protecting such a vast number of endpoints.

IoT regulation must address these diverse challenges, including hardware certification, privacy, and the integration of iot technologies within national and international compliance frameworks.

Traditional, manual compliance approaches simply don’t scale to this environment. For organizations deploying diverse iot technologies, maintaining security compliance is essential to meet regulatory requirements and protect against evolving threats.

Spotlight on WP.29 and CRA

WP.29 and the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) are major IoT regulations shaping the compliance landscape.

1. WP.29 (Automotive)

• Requires OEMs to implement cybersecurity management systems.
• Demands ongoing software update processes.
• Holds OEMs accountable across the entire vehicle lifecycle.

1. EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)

• Applies to all connected products sold in the EU.
• Requires security by design, vulnerability management, and reporting.
• Introduces compliance penalties for non compliance, including significant fines, corrective actions, and restrictions on product sales, with potential market exclusion.

Both frameworks emphasise identity, lifecycle security, and automation as key to compliance.

The Risks of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet IoT compliance regulations can result in:

• Financial Penalties – Heavy fines under CRA or GDPR alignment.
• Market Access Restrictions – Inability to sell vehicles or products, including IoT devices sold, in regulated markets such as the UK market. Compliance with CE marking and UKCA marking is essential for legal market access, especially post-Brexit.
• Reputational Damage – Loss of customer trust following public compliance failures.
• Increased Attack Risk – Non-compliant devices face greater security risks and are more vulnerable to exploitation.

Navigating Regulatory Complexity

As organizations deploy IoT solutions at scale, navigating the complex web of regulatory requirements is critical to ensuring compliance and protecting both data and infrastructure. The UK government’s Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act sets out minimum security standards for IoT devices, including the elimination of default passwords and the requirement for timely software updates.

In the United States, the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act mandates that federal agencies only procure IoT devices that meet stringent security standards. To ensure compliance, organizations must conduct comprehensive risk assessments, implement robust security measures, and align with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Telecommunications Infrastructure Act.

Failure to adhere to these product security and telecommunications requirements can result in significant compliance penalties, including fines and reputational harm. By proactively addressing these regulatory demands, organizations can protect their IoT devices, data, and users from evolving cyber threats.

Cyber Security Measures for IoT

Protecting IoT devices from cyber threats requires the implementation of robust security measures throughout the device lifecycle. The UK’s Code of Practice for Consumer IoT Security offers practical guidelines, such as establishing vulnerability disclosure policies, ensuring software integrity, and providing regular security updates. The EU Cybersecurity Act further reinforces the need for strong IoT security by setting out a framework for certifying the cybersecurity of connected products.

Organizations should prioritize consumer IoT security by adopting user-defined passwords, deploying secure communication protocols, and continuously monitoring for cybersecurity risks. Regularly updating software and firmware, along with maintaining continuous compliance, helps prevent the misuse of network resources and safeguards personal data privacy. By following these best practices, organizations can significantly enhance the security posture of their IoT devices and reduce the risk of cyber attacks.

Cyber Trust and Certification

Achieving recognized certifications, such as the Cyber Trust Mark, is a powerful way for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to securing IoT devices against cyber threats. The US Cyber Trust Mark and the EU Cybersecurity Act provide comprehensive frameworks for evaluating and certifying the security measures implemented in IoT devices. The certification process involves a thorough assessment of an organization’s adherence to robust security measures, including compliance with the Radio Equipment Directive and the ability to defend against emerging cyber threats. Earning a Cyber Trust Mark not only signals a dedication to ensuring compliance but also enhances an organization’s reputation and trustworthiness in the marketplace. By pursuing certification, organizations contribute to a more secure and resilient IoT ecosystem, building confidence among consumers and stakeholders that their connected devices are protected by industry-leading security standards.

How Device Authority Simplifies Compliance

Device Authority’s KeyScaler helps organisations operationalise compliance at scale:

• Automated Identity Management – Provision, rotate, and revoke certificates without manual overhead.
• Continuous Compliance Monitoring – Real-time dashboards aligned with WP.29, CRA, HIPAA, and NIST.
• Policy-Based Access Control – Enforce Zero Trust principles across IoT and OT devices.
• Audit-Ready Reporting – Generate compliance evidence for regulators instantly.
• Secure Lifecycle Management – From onboarding to decommissioning, ensure devices remain compliant and support system reliability for IoT deployments.

KeyScaler also addresses supply chain risk management by integrating security standards and monitoring across the entire IoT device supply chain as part of its compliance solution.

This proactive approach reduces complexity, cost, and risk while enabling enterprises to meet global regulatory expectations and achieve regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Best Practices for IoT Device Security Compliance

1. Map Regulations to Devices – IoT device manufacturers must understand their responsibilities in identifying and applying relevant regulatory frameworks to each device in their ecosystem. This ensures compliance readiness for evolving standards and legal requirements.
2. Embed Compliance into Architecture – Build controls into systems, not as afterthoughts.
3. Automate Where Possible – Manual compliance won’t scale beyond a few hundred devices.
4. Continuously Monitor and Report – Treat compliance as an ongoing process, not a yearly audit.
5. Work with Trusted Partners – Leverage platforms like KeyScaler to simplify implementation.

Conclusion

IoT compliance is no longer just a regulatory checkbox – it is a cornerstone of resilient cybersecurity. With WP.29, the EU CRA, and NIST shaping global standards, enterprises need automation and lifecycle security to keep pace.

With KeyScaler 2025, Device Authority delivers automated compliance for IoT at scale, empowering organisations to stay secure, compliant, and future-ready.