Back in July 2023, IoT Evolution World began reporting on the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark. (Read our first story about it here.)
Essentially, the Biden-Harris Administration announced this [voluntary] cybersecurity and labeling-focused program for smart devices and other connected consumer products produced by IoT developers. Following the initial proposal, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel affirmed that, if implemented properly, this would certainly “raise the bar for cybersecurity across common devices, including smart refrigerators, smart microwaves, smart televisions, smart climate control systems, smart fitness trackers and baby monitors and more.” (Note: The program does not apply to computers or smartphones.)
The long-story-short of it? Manufacturer accountability and stronger overall consumer awareness regarding the security of their modern purchases.
Then in May 2024, we covered this topic again. (Read here.) At the time, the FCC voted to approve the program and its criteria, which is based on data (and pertinent standards) published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The FCC reported that it intended to use a QR code linking to a national registry of certified devices to provide consumers with “specific and comparable security information about appropriate smart products.”
Fast-forward to present day, and we’re substantially closer to the official launch of this U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.
“We have to start somewhere if we are going to bolster our cybersecurity in products delivered to consumers,” as one cybersecurity specialist explained. “Manufacturers will also need to ensure clear education to their employees and customers about their products.”
The recognition of this need for an accessible repository (and the actionable steps being taken towards its fulfillment) leaves us very hopeful. Consumers, after all, unequivocally deserve an easy-to-understand system for products (and that it’s linked to a dynamic, decentralized, publicly available registry). According to the Federal Register, this will “raise consumer confidence regarding the cybersecurity of the IoT products they buy,” and it’ll ideally also “encourage manufacturers to develop IoT products with security-by-design principles in mind.”
Looking forward, there’ll surely be little shortage of discussion in the IoT community (and abroad) about a.) what practical implementations here will look like, b.) how accessible and easy-to-navigate it may shape up to be, and c.) what hiccups may be faced and how we can take proactive measures.
With that in mind, we invite you to take part in such discussions with us at the upcoming IoT Evolution Expo 2025. Part of the #TECHSUPERSHOW experience, this will be taking place from February 11-13 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
At this jam-packed expo dedicated to IoT, one session in particular is titled “IoT Profiles: Empowering Certification Profiles to Manage Security Breaches,” and its expert panelists will dive deeper into the what-now and what’s-next of these developments.
This session will be held on Wednesday, February 12 from 2:15-3:00 PM.
Consider registering
here to secure your spot at IoT Evolution Expo 2025.
Edited by
Greg Tavarez
