Your 6-Step Path to
CRA Compliance
A complete implementation roadmap for the EU Cyber Resilience Act. From initial assessment to ongoing monitoring, this guide covers everything you need to achieve compliance by October 2027.
Why This Guide Works
This roadmap has been designed based on the actual CRA regulation text and industry best practices. Each step builds on the previous one, ensuring nothing is missed.
Regulation-Based
Every step directly maps to specific CRA articles and requirements
Time-Efficient
Realistic timelines that fit into your development cycles
Tool-Supported
Free tools and templates to accelerate implementation
Before You Start
This guide assumes your product falls under CRA scope (has digital elements and is sold in the EU). If you're unsure, use our Product Checker first. Each step includes difficulty levels and time estimates to help you plan resources accordingly.
EU-Aligned Standards Framework
The CRA builds upon established EU and international standards. Following these frameworks ensures comprehensive compliance while leveraging proven security practices.
ENISA Guidelines
EU-driven cybersecurity best practices aligned with CRA objectives
- Threat modeling methodologies
- Incident response frameworks
- SBOM best practices
IEC 62443-4-1 & 4-2
Industrial-grade secure product development and lifecycle security
- Secure development lifecycle (SDL)
- Technical security requirements
- Component security validation
ISO/IEC 27001 Suite
Comprehensive security management with CRA-specific extensions
- 27034: Application security
- 29147: Vulnerability disclosure
- 30111: Vulnerability handling
- 27036: Supply chain security
Leverage Your Existing Certifications
If you already have ISO/IEC 27001 certification or follow IEC 62443 standards, you're ahead of the game. These frameworks directly map to CRA requirements, reducing your compliance effort by up to 60%. Use our Standards Mapping Tool to see how your existing compliance translates to CRA.
Implementation Timeline Overview
Plan your CRA compliance journey with realistic milestones
Figure Out What You Need to Do
2-4 weeks
BeginnerBuild Security Into Your Product
4-8 weeks
IntermediateSet Up Your Security Processes
4-6 weeks
IntermediateCreate the Required Paperwork
3-5 weeks
BeginnerTest That Everything Works
3-6 weeks
AdvancedKeep It Secure Forever
Ongoing
IntermediateYour Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
Follow these 6 steps in order to achieve full CRA compliance. Each step builds on the previous one, creating a comprehensive security and compliance program.
1. Figure Out What You Need to Do
Check which of your products need to follow CRA rules and how strict they need to be
Key Actions
- List all your products that have software or connect to internet
- Check if they're "normal", "important", or "critical" risk level
- See what security features you already have
- Make a list of what's missing
Available Tools
Real Examples
2. Build Security Into Your Product
Make your products secure from the beginning, not as an afterthought
Key Actions
- Follow ENISA secure development guidelines
- Implement IEC 62443-4-1 secure product development
- Apply IEC 62443-4-2 for technical security requirements
- Document security requirements per ISO/IEC 27034
Available Tools
Real Examples
3. Set Up Your Security Processes
Create systems to handle security problems when they happen
Key Actions
- Implement ISO/IEC 29147 vulnerability disclosure process
- Set up ISO/IEC 30111 vulnerability handling procedures
- Create incident response per ENISA recommendations
- Build update systems following ISO/IEC 27036
Available Tools
Real Examples
4. Create the Required Paperwork
Write the official documents that prove your product follows CRA rules
Key Actions
- Write technical docs showing how your product is secure
- Create the official EU declaration paper
- Write easy-to-read security guides for users
- List all the software components in your product
Available Tools
Real Examples
5. Test That Everything Works
Prove your product actually meets all the security requirements
Key Actions
- Run security tests on your product
- Check that you've followed all the rules
- Get an outside expert to verify (if required)
- Have someone try to hack your product (safely)
Available Tools
Real Examples
6. Keep It Secure Forever
Monitor and maintain your product's security for years after you sell it
Key Actions
- Watch for new security threats that affect your product
- Fix security problems quickly when they're found
- Keep your customers updated about security
- Plan how long you'll support each product version
Available Tools
Real Examples
Quick Reference Guide
Key information you'll need throughout your implementation
Critical Deadlines
Core Requirements
Supporting Tools & Resources
Free tools to accelerate your CRA compliance implementation
ENISA-Aligned Gap Analysis
Assess your compliance with CRA using ENISA Guidelines framework
Product Checker
Check if your products are covered by CRA
IEC 62443 Compliance Checklist
CRA requirements mapped to IEC 62443-4-1 and 4-2 standards
ISO 27001 Documentation Templates
CRA documentation aligned with ISO/IEC 27001 and 27034 standards
Risk Classifier
Determine your product's risk class (normal/important/critical)
SBOM Generator
Create software bill of materials for your products
Ready to Start Your CRA Compliance Journey?
Don't wait until 2027. Start with a gap analysis to understand exactly where you stand and what needs to be done.