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The US government has partnered with leaders of the private sector to form an initiative that allows consumers to better identify secure devices that are less likely to suffer at the hands of a cyber attack.
The union between the White House and major tech manufacturers has led to the release of a new certification and labelling initiative called the US Cyber Trust Mark, where smart devices from participating vendors will advertise their cyber resilience with the inclusion of the Cyber Trust Mark logo.
“The goal of the program is to provide tools for consumers to make informed decisions about the relative security of products they choose to bring into their homes,” said the Biden-Harris administration release on the White House website.
Currently, participating organisations include Google, Amazon, Best Buy, Logitech, Samsung and LG.
The program, which is expected to roll out in 2024, will require manufacturers to develop products that meet specific cyber security criteria laid out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Criteria will include data protection, software updates, the ability to detect a cyber incident, strong default passwords and more.
Smart devices that qualify, which will include TVs, fitness trackers, microwave ovens, refrigerators and more, will display a “distinct shield logo” to demonstrate their cyber security abilities.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is looking to secure a national trademark for the Cyber Trust Mark and will look for public comment and opinion on the initiative prior to the rollout next year.
“Acting under its authorities to regulate wireless communication devices, the FCC is expected to seek public comment on rolling out the proposed voluntary cyber security labelling program, which is expected to be up and running in 2024,” the release added.
The White House continued, saying that it intends to educate consumers on what the new label is and its significance.
Backing the initiative, the FCC has said it will implement “QR code linking to a national registry of certified devices to provide consumers with specific and comparable security information about these smart products”.
Additionally, the NIST plans to define the cyber security risks and requirements for devices that meet its criteria.
“NIST will also immediately undertake an effort to define cyber security requirements for consumer-grade routers – a higher-risk type of product that, if compromised, can be used to eavesdrop, steal passwords, and attack other devices and high-value networks,” the release said.
“NIST will complete this work by the end of 2023, to permit the commission to consider use of these requirements to expand the labelling program to cover consumer-grade routers.”
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