Time to Act

Welcome to our bi-monthly newsletter, where we bring you the latest insights into our work and share what we find intriguing in the world of technology. Each edition is designed to keep you informed about our projects, industry trends, and exciting developments that capture our attention. We’re thrilled to have you on this journey with us!

EU Act Impact

Currently, two acts have captured our attention at Concept Reply: the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the EU AI Act. In this section, we’ll explore the key aspects of both acts and their implications for the future.

EU Cyber Resilience Act

The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is particularly relevant for IoT firms. It aims to bolster cybersecurity for a wide range of digital products, including software and hardware connected to the internet. This act introduces strict requirements for cybersecurity throughout the product lifecycle - covering everything from design and development to post-sale maintenance.

The CRA will apply to all products connected directly or indirectly to other devices or networks, with specific exclusions for open-source software and services already governed by existing regulations, such as medical devices, aviation, and cars. The products need to be accordingly updated to meet the requirements.

Scheduled to take effect in the second half of 2024, the CRA mandates that manufacturers place compliant products on the EU market by 2027. Additionally, software and internet-connected products must display the CE marking, signifying adherence to the new standards. Given these timelines and requirements, early action is essential for businesses to implement necessary cybersecurity policies and ensure compliance.

EU AI Act

With the rising use of AI tools across various fields, the EU AI Act is of equal interest and importance at Concept Reply. Touted as the world’s first comprehensive AI law, the EU AI Act regulates the use of artificial intelligence within the EU. It adopts a risk-based approach, categorizing AI systems into four levels: minimal, limited, high, and unacceptable risk.

The AI Act entered into force on August 1 and will be fully applicable two years later, with some exceptions. Prohibitions will take effect after six months, governance rules and obligations for general-purpose AI models will become applicable after 12 months, and the rules for AI systems embedded in regulated products will apply after 36 months.

Tidbits of Interest

This time, we're excited to share a collection of articles/links that we found interesting and think you'll enjoy!

• Making of VS Code: This fascinating YouTube video featuring two principal engineers from the VS Code engineering team offers insight into the evolution of the editor. It explores the history of the editor and delves into various technical aspects, including widgets and more.
• Top Programming Languages 2024: Yet another survey talking about the top programming languages of the current times. Interestingly, Fortran and Cobol still find a a place on the list despite being around 65 years old and you can still find employers looking for programmers in both.
• IoT Device Updates: This is a homegrown article where we delve into different aspects of the architecture, best practices, and considerations for designing an effective IoT update manager.
• Kubernetes needs an LTS: This article by Mathew Duggan makes a good case for why an LTS with Kubernetes might be a good idea. What are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments.

Concept Reply Spotlight

Chillventa

Chillventa is a tradeshow that provides a comprehensive overview of current developments in refrigeration, AC, ventilation and heat pump technology. This year, Chillventa 2024 featured 1010 exhibitors from 49 countries and our managers were hard at work networking and gaining valuable insights into trends and technologies in the industry. It was also fantastic to connect with partners, friends and our customers, including Danfoss.

Contact Us

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