A 2026–2027 outlook for secure, trusted IoT
The threat landscape: interconnected risk at machine speed
As connected products expand from individual buildings into transport, energy, industry and public infrastructure, cyber risk is no longer confined to a single device. Weak credentials, unpatched firmware, exposed services and insecure interfaces can provide an entry point into a much larger environment. Attackers increasingly combine automated reconnaissance, social engineering and vulnerability exploitation, while disruption through distributed denial-of-service attacks remains a practical concern for service availability. The deeper challenge for 2026 and 2027 is therefore systemic: one vulnerable component, supplier or cloud dependency can create consequences across an entire ecosystem. Cybersecurity must address both the digital attack surface and the physical realities of operational technology, where uptime, safety and long product lifecycles are critical.
Trends reshaping defence strategies
The industry is moving from periodic hardening to continuous assurance. AI can help defenders correlate signals, detect anomalies and prioritise investigations, but it also lowers the barrier for convincing phishing, rapid reconnaissance and attack automation. Zero Trust principles, strong identity controls and network segmentation are becoming essential, particularly where legacy and modern systems coexist. Software bills of materials, vulnerability disclosure, secure update mechanisms and closer scrutiny of third-party components are also moving into mainstream risk management. At the same time, the human firewall remains indispensable: employees, installers and partners need the awareness and authority to report suspicious behaviour quickly. Effective defence now connects technology, people, governance and recovery instead of treating them as separate programmes.
From secure design to operational resilience
Hikvision’s approach is based on prevention, detection and response across the product lifecycle. Secure-by-design and shift-left practices bring security requirements into development, while encrypted communications, role-based access, hardened device configuration and ongoing firmware maintenance help reduce exposure in operation. Independent testing and recognised standards provide additional assurance. In 2026, Hikvision added ISO/IEC 29147 and ISO/IEC 30111 certifications covering vulnerability disclosure and vulnerability handling, and earned Industry-First EUCC Certification for Network Cameras*. Complementing its wider information-security and product-security framework. A dedicated Product Security Incident Response Team supports coordinated vulnerability response and remediation. Beyond securing individual devices, Hikvision believes cybersecurity should enable operational resilience. Modern organisations need security technologies that not only protect assets but also provide actionable intelligence, support compliance requirements, and help teams respond more effectively to emerging threats. Through integrated AIoT security solutions spanning video security, access control, perimeter protection and centralised management, organisations can strengthen situational awareness, streamline incident response, and build a more resilient digital and physical infrastructure.
This convergence of cybersecurity and operational technology is becoming increasingly important as businesses seek to protect both information assets and mission-critical operations. For customers and integrators, the practical message is equally important: change default settings, apply updates, use multi-factor authentication where available, segment networks, limit privileges and maintain tested backup and recovery plans.
Regulation turns resilience into a lifecycle obligation
European regulation is accelerating this shift. Under the EU Cyber Resilience Act, reporting obligations for actively exploited vulnerabilities and severe product-security incidents start on 11 September 2026. The main CRA obligations apply from 11 December 2027. This timetable makes 2026 a year for operational readiness and 2027 a milestone for full lifecycle accountability. Manufacturers need clear ownership, evidence, vulnerability-handling processes and fast internal escalation. Customers should expect greater transparency about support periods, updates and secure use. Compliance should not become a checkbox exercise: when aligned with engineering and incident response, it can strengthen resilience, trust and operational control across the supply chain.
Why Cybersec Netherlands matters
No organisation can solve these challenges alone. Cybersec Netherlands brings security leaders, policymakers, researchers, manufacturers, integrators and end users together to compare assumptions and turn emerging requirements into workable practices. The 2026 event, taking place on 9 and 10 September at Jaarbeurs Utrecht, arrives just before the CRA reporting obligations begin, making face-to-face exchange especially relevant. In-person conversations can expose gaps that formal documents miss, connect operational-technology specialists with IT security teams and accelerate shared approaches to incident response, identity, privacy, AI governance and supply-chain assurance. Looking toward 2027, the event is not only a showcase for technology. It is a forum for building the relationships, common language and collective readiness needed for a secure and resilient connected economy.
To explore these insights further and discuss how to enhance cybersecurity in your operations, join us at our booth 11.E065 at Cybersec Netherlands.
* Hikvision earns Industry-First EUCC Certification for Network Cameras
