New EU cybersecurity rules for wireless gadgets

The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has warned about the rise in cyberattacks on wireless devices in 2021 – about 80% of all attacks are aimed at them.
In connection with the growth of cyber fraud mainly connected with online payments and personal data theft, the EU has put in place new cybersecurity requirements for such devices.
The devices include, besides tablets and smartphones, smart watches, walkie talkies, video games, fitness trackers – all kinds of devices that can be used to receive data through the internet.
This decision has been long overdue, since in the next 10 years the number of wireless devices exchanging data via the internet in the EU will reach almost 7.5 bln.

What is in the new rules?

Manufacturer’s responsibility – they must develop and implement extremely efficient systems of user authentication control, for example, when performing online payments.
Manufacturers also must equip their devices with functions blocking their use for attacks on various services and websites and excluding the possibility of fraudulent access or data exchange with the use of these devices.
The EU committee will apply unified cybersecurity standards to all manufacturers supplying their products into the EU.
New requirements will be implemented in the first quarter of 2022.
At the same time manufacturers will have 30 months as an adaptation period.
In October 2021 European states developed a project of the EU cyber department that will counter major cyberattacks on the EU territory.