The power of over-the-air (OTA) updates in patch management

Over-the-air (OTA) updates empower manufacturers by enabling remote patch management across thousands or even millions of devices. OTA updates significantly reduce the logistical complexities and expenses tied to manual or physical updates, which are neither feasible nor scalable in widespread IoT ecosystems. By automating patch deployment, manufacturers can ensure that their entire fleet remains secure without the costly burden of on-site interventions.

OTA solutions can be scheduled to deploy updates at optimal times, minimizing disruptions to device usage or surrounding operations. Advanced features within OTA solutions provide additional risk management, cost savings, and security. A/B updates allow for a rollback to retain device function in the event an issue arises. Delta updates enable the transmission of only the modified portions of the software, reducing data payloads and speeding up the process. For devices operating in segmented or air-gapped environments, gateway-based OTA strategies facilitate updates by connecting isolated networks without compromising their security posture.

Instant deployments are another critical advantage. OTA technology allows manufacturers to react rapidly to emerging cyber threats, applying fixes as soon as vulnerabilities are identified. The swift response capability of OTA updates aligns with European Union (EU) Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) requirements, ensuring updates occur within an “appropriate time frame” as mandated by Annex I.2.7.

Out-of-the-box reporting and documentation

A comprehensive OTA solution doesn’t just deploy updates; it offers robust reporting and data collection capabilities that aid in the essential tasks of vulnerability disclosure and compliance documentation. Solutions designed for professional, complex use cases include advanced features that help manufacturers stay on top of their reporting obligations.

For example, automatically documenting update deployments and tracking potential vulnerabilities support compliance with Article 13.8 – requirements for coordinated vulnerability disclosure policies – of the EU CRA. Understanding potential threats is fundamental to timely remediation, aligning with CRA Annex I.2(d), which emphasizes reporting on possible unauthorized access using role-based access control (RBAC). Additionally, Annex I.2(e) stresses the need for protecting data confidentiality – whether stored, transmitted, or processed.

Advanced OTA solutions enable manufacturers to integrate encryption and state-of-the-art data protection mechanisms seamlessly into their patch management processes. By leveraging a capable OTA solution, manufacturers can meet compliance requirements, like EU CRA, efficiently and maintain high cybersecurity standards. Proactive approaches to updates and reporting ensure compliance and reinforce customer trust and product resilience in an increasingly connected world.

Managing scale and complexity with ease

Ensuring compliance with the evolving regulatory landscape requires a seamless and proactive approach to security updates. OTA updates play a pivotal role in maintaining full lifecycle security, perfectly aligning mandates for continuous protection, as seen in the EU CRA. One  key advantage of OTA updates is the ability to scale effortlessly across thousands or millions of connected devices, ensuring consistent compliance across an entire product fleet. Purpose-built architecture supports large-scale deployments, offering manufacturers the scalability and granularity needed for expanding IoT ecosystems. The complexity of managing updates across diverse hardware-software combinations and interconnected device ecosystems presents an additional challenge. Unlike traditional IT environments, embedded systems operate on a wide range of architectures, chipsets, and firmware versions, each of which require precise compatibility to avoid failures or security gaps. The dependencies between hardware and software components demand a robust update process that accounts for these constraints and differences in capabilities, and connectivity. With a purpose-built OTA update solution, manufacturers can swiftly adapt to regulatory changes and emerging cybersecurity threats,with features such as A/B partitioning, and rollback capabilities,securing compliance and fostering resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Are OTA updates required in today’s threat landscape?

In the realm of patch management and regulatory compliance, manufacturers must decide between proactive and reactive approaches. Relying on manual updates or outdated processes increases the risk of non-compliance. As time becomes more paramount or stringent as in CRA’s standards, reactive patch management strategies will fail to effectively comply. In contrast, OTA updates enable manufacturers to adopt a proactive strategy. With OTA updates, security patches and updates can be deployed automatically and efficiently, ensuring that devices remain compliant without delays or manual intervention.

Beyond maintaining compliance, OTA updates also reduce operational costs and mitigate potential risks. While some manufacturers may view OTA updates as an optional enhancement, the financial and reputational implications of non-compliance make it an essential investment. Article 53.3 of the CRA specifies penalties of up to 15 million euros or 2.5% of a company’s global turnover for non-compliance. These steep fines, coupled with the possibility of product bans and significant reputational damage, highlight that the cost of failing to meet CRA requirements far outweighs the investment in robust OTA capabilities. OTA solutions not only streamline compliance but also act as a safeguard against the hefty financial and operational consequences associated with reactive or outdated patch management practices.

OTA updates: The backbone of regulatory compliance

In light of the EU CRA standards, true compliant remediation of threats and vulnerabilities requires OTA update capabilities at the highest degree to ensure streamlined resolutions. Creating and maintaining an OTA update system presents a gigantic lift that presents further possibilities for noncompliance if created incorrectly. Adding the responsibility of creating a fully compliant OTA system to the already substantial requirement of secure product development can drain resources and take the focus away from market readiness and product compliance. With the extensive requirements and noncompliance punishments, manufacturers have little leeway when it comes to ensuring proper update mechanisms and security. 

With OTA updates, staying compliant with remediation requirements is essentially automated. OTA systems, and by extension, professional purpose-built OTA, are necessary for business continuity and cybersecurity in an increasingly connected world.

Download the new regulatory overview for more information on staying compliant with the CRA’s extensive security requirements. 

Read the overview