The UK government officials announced that new laws have finally gone into effect. These laws are intended to help protect consumers from cybercriminals. Some of the measures include making network devices, like broadband ISP routers, more secure (e.g., regular security updates and stronger default passwords).

The relevant Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act (PSTI) received royal assent in late 2022. They included provisions to facilitate the delivery of broadband and mobile infrastructure sharing, network upgrades, and related dispute resolution. However, those components—which call for modifications to the Electronic Communications Code (ECC)—are being carried out independently by Ofcom.

The PSTI also included steps to put many of the original Secure by Design recommendations into practice. This includes introducing stricter security requirements for device manufacturers and imposing financial penalties on those who do not comply (manufacturers as well as retailers).

Among the changes are the prohibition of easily guessed default passwords (such as “admin” or “123456”), the prompting of users to change the default password, better support for security issues, and the requirement that related network products specify the length of time they will be supported by critical security patches, among other things.

Affordable imported goods that do not typically follow UK regulations as strictly as they may also be impacted by the changes. Furthermore, there can be issues with shops having to sell older inventory, which might not provide the same level of service to customers who purchase it.

The government claims that the new regime will help to give customers confidence in buying and using products, “which will in turn help grow businesses and the economy.”

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