The government is preparing to mandate security tests for connected devices before deployment, signalling a major shift in how internet-connected hardware will be regulated. This move comes amid growing concerns about the cybersecurity risks posed by devices in critical infrastructure and consumer markets.
What the Mandate Involves
Under the proposed framework, manufacturers and suppliers of devices that connect to networks—especially in sectors such as healthcare, energy, transport, and industrial control—will be required to subject their products to rigorous verification of sourcing and security tests for connected devices ahead of deployment.
The policy is being developed by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) under the Prime Minister’s Office.
Initial target date for implementation was January 1, 2027, though officials expect the rollout may take “three to four years” for full compliance.
Why the Mandate is Needed
Growing threat from insecure connected devices
With rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices—from smart meters and medical scanners to industrial sensors and home automation—a single vulnerable device can become an entry point for cyberattacks. The internal government assessment found glaring gaps in cybersecurity certification and trusted sourcing, especially for imported products.
Protecting critical infrastructure
Devices in sectors like power, healthcare, transportation and manufacturing are not just “nice to have”—they are fundamental to national-security and public-safety systems. Ensuring that these devices are tested and from trusted sources becomes essential.
Alignment with global regulatory trends
Other jurisdictions are already moving in this direction. For instance:
- In the UK, the Product Security & Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 mandates minimum security standards for consumer “connectable products”.
- The EU is developing device-security rules under its consumer IoT frameworks.
Key Requirements for Manufacturers and Suppliers
When the mandate takes effect, device makers will likely need to:
- Verify sourcing: Confirm that hardware and software components are from trusted suppliers and/or trusted sources.
- Undergo security testing: Conduct device security tests—penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, tamper detection, firmware integrity, and network security validation—before deployment.
- Compliance declaration: Provide statements of compliance or certification that the device meets required security benchmarks.
- Product lifecycle commitments: Declare how long the product will receive security updates and offer a vulnerability-disclosure policy. (UK rules already mandate this for consumer devices)
- Sector regulator alignment: Work with designated sectoral regulators who will enforce the mandate in their respective domains.
Timeline and Scope
- The earliest target date mentioned is January 1, 2027, but industry sources expect a phased deployment over 3-4 years, given the volume of devices and legacy equipment.
- The scope covers connected devices across critical sectors including: pharmaceuticals, hospitals, ports & shipping, energy & power, transportation, and space industries. mint
- The mandate will extend beyond consumer devices into industrial/critical-infrastructure domains, where the risks are higher and consequences more severe.
Impacts on Industry Stakeholders
Manufacturers
They face increased costs (testing, compliance, sourcing audit), longer time-to-market, and need to build capabilities in security engineering and certification.
Importers and Distributors
They must verify that products comply, rather than simply relying on manufacturer claims. Supply-chain traceability will become more important.
Device Users & Deployers
Users (e.g., hospitals, utilities, transport operators) will gain higher assurance of security, but may see delays or higher cost in acquiring devices.
Regulators and Government
Enforcement will require regulator capacity, testing laboratories, standards frameworks, and coordination across sectors.
Benefits & Challenges
Benefits
- Enhanced national-cybersecurity posture by reducing exposure from insecure connected devices.
- Stronger consumer and industry trust in connected-device ecosystems.
- Alignment with international best-practice, enabling exports and global interoperability.
Challenges
- Technical complexity: Different device categories (medical, industrial, consumer) have varied risk profiles and may require different test regimes.
- Cost and burden: Smaller vendors and suppliers may struggle with the overhead of compliance and certification.
- Legacy-device ecosystem: Many existing deployments may not meet new standards, creating retrofit or replacement burdens.
- Global sourcing: Ensuring trusted sourcing may conflict with existing global supply-chain practices and cost sensitivities.
What to Watch
- Regulation drafting and finalisation: How detailed the rules for “security tests for connected devices” will be (what tests, what thresholds).
- Designated standards: Whether specific standards will be prescribed (for instance, internationally accepted IoT security standards).
- Enforcement mechanisms: Penalties, compliance audits, lab accreditation for testing devices.
- Industry response: How manufacturers and vendors adapt; whether certification bodies and labs scale up.
- Integration with procurement: Whether government/public-sector procurement mandates will pick up only certified/trusted devices—raising the bar for all.
- Global supply-chain‐trust frameworks: How “trusted source” will be defined and how this impacts foreign-sourced hardware/software.
Conclusion
The planned mandate to require security tests for connected devices before deployment marks a pivotal moment in device-security regulation. As connected devices become deeply embedded in our homes, workplaces and national infrastructure, ensuring their security is no longer optional. For manufacturers, vendors and users, the shift means moving from “connect and forget” to “connect with assurance”. The next few years will show how effectively the policy is operationalised and how industries adapt to the new reality.
