Big architecture decisions have big business impact. Wardley maps help us identify money pits in product development. They show us the way how to save money by commoditising hardware and software that is not part of our core business.
The Yocto recipe gives GPL as the license of MariaDB. The Qt Sql library implements its MySQL driver with MariaDB. Hence, it would be under GPL - and so would be all applications linking Qt Sql. Businesses would have to open-source their code. A disaster! So, what's wrong?
A device violates essential CRA requirements. Although simple state-of-the-art security measures are available, the manufacturer mitigates the violations with legal disclaimers. This goes against the intention of the CRA: improving cybersecurity in real life and not just on paper.
Per definition, embedded devices are products with digital elements and, hence, must comply with the CRA. I'll give examples whether to classify devices as default, important or critical. The classification decides how expensive CRA compliance is. So, we better get it right.
Courts will do it! Cybersecurity experts throw a lot of security measures at the wall and see which ones stick. They seriously suggest that manufacturers must only do a "proper" risk assessment and all is fine. Manufacturers define what "proper" means. Isn't that circular reasoning?
If a machine sold in 2015 receives a feature update in 2028 or later, it must undergo full CRA compliance (Article 69.2). The best bet for the manufacturer might be to argue that the CRA violates legal certainty and non-retroactivity of law - constitutional rights in most EU countries.
Are you ready for the Cyber Resilience Act? If not sure, check out my new offering. In the CRA Survival Bootcamp, you'll learn how to do CRA compliance on your own. My related posts may help you as well.
What does the CRA require from you to avoid sales bans after 11 December 2027 and penalties threatening the existence of your company? Risk assessment, vulnerability handling and technical documentation. And tough decisions which products to retire.
The CRA requires manufactures to document the risk assessment. Architecture decision records (ADRs) are the ideal means for that. They also facilitate good discussions about different mitigation options.
Episode 66: Better Built By Burkhard