Cybersecurity: A Business-Critical Requirement for the Electronic Security Sector
The recently published 2026 guidance is an update to the original joint CoESS/Euralarm cybersecurity guide and reinforces an urgent message for the electronic security industry: cybersecurity is no longer an optional enhancement or a matter confined to IT. It is a foundation requirement for product quality, service delivery, business resilience and customer trust. Manufacturers, installers, monitoring centres and security service providers must therefore treat cyber resilience as integral to the design, deployment, operation and maintenance of every connected system and service.
Why This Matters
Modern security systems are increasingly connected through IP networks, cloud services and remote management platforms. As a result, cyber vulnerabilities can impact not only data confidentiality but also the availability and effectiveness of security systems. A single weak link can compromise an entire security solution. The guide highlights that many cyber incidents originate from human error, making governance, training and awareness as important as technical controls.
Key Regulatory Developments
Members should be aware of several major European cybersecurity initiatives that are shaping future market requirements:
- NIS2 Directive introduces enhanced cybersecurity, governance and incident reporting obligations for many critical and important organisations, with implications throughout the supply chain.
- Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for connected products, including alarm systems, access control systems, VSS products and associated software. Vulnerability reporting obligations have already commenced from September 2026, with full requirements applying from December 2027.
- Additional legislation, including GDPR, the Cybersecurity Act, RED and the AI Act, continues to strengthen expectations for cyber resilience and secure product development.
What Security Companies Should Be Doing
The guidance recommends that organisations:
- Establish clear cybersecurity governance, responsibilities and accountability.
- Conduct regular cyber risk assessments and maintain asset inventories.
- Implement business continuity, backup and incident response plans.
- Provide regular cybersecurity awareness training for all staff.
- Secure products and systems through strong authentication, access control, encryption and software update management.
- Remove default credentials and apply secure configuration practices during installation and commissioning.
- Maintain systems throughout their lifecycle with ongoing patching, monitoring and vulnerability management.
- Work collaboratively with customers to define cybersecurity responsibilities and manage risks throughout the service life of the system.
Standards to Watch
The document highlights several key standards supporting cybersecurity good practice and future compliance requirements, including:
- ISO/IEC 27000 series (Information Security Management)
- IEC 62443 series (Industrial and Operational Technology Security)
- ETSI EN 303 645 (Consumer IoT Security)
- EN 18031 series (Radio Equipment Cybersecurity)
- Emerging CRA support standards including the EN 40000 series and IEC 62443-4-x standards.
BSIA Takeaway
Cybersecurity must now be treated as a foundation requirement for every electronic security product, system and service – not as an optional feature or a responsibility delegated solely to IT. European regulation is already turning cyber resilience, secure product development and vulnerability management into formal market expectations, and UK organisations should prepare for comparable pressures from legislation, customers and supply chains. The BSIA’s CySPAG schemes for manufacturers and installers provide a practical route for members to demonstrate that they are taking proportionate action now. Waiting until a data breach, system compromise or operational failure occurs risks regulatory exposure, commercial loss, reputational damage and, critically, loss of confidence in systems intended to protect people and property. The message from Euralarm, CoESS and the BSIA is unequivocal: accountability for cybersecurity extends across the entire security value chain.