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New labels proposed by the U.S. government may soon help consumers choose smart appliances and fitness trackers that the U.S. considers relatively safe, the Biden administration announced Tuesday.
Internet-connected devices such as refrigerators, televisions, microwave ovens and climate controls can earn the US Cyber Trust Mark Shield if they meet cybersecurity requirements set by the federal government. The government expects the voluntary labeling program to go into effect next year after the FCC seeks public comment on the proposal.
so far, amazon, Best Buy, Google, LG Electronics America., Logitech As part of the announcement, companies such as Samsung and Samsung have pledged to improve the cybersecurity of the products they sell, the government said.
To earn the US Cyber Trustmark, companies must follow cybersecurity standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), such as requiring strong passwords and software updates.
The FCC will apply Tuesday to register a national trademark for the label, which will be applied to products that meet the standard. Once approved, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is expected to help consumers understand the new label and encourage retailers to prioritize products bearing the label.
Other agencies in the executive branch also plan to participate in improving the security of connected devices, according to the announcement. For example, the Department of Energy will work with national laboratories and industry to develop cybersecurity labeling standards for smart meters and inverters. The State Department plans to work with allies to synchronize cybersecurity labeling standards and establish international recognition for such labels.
NIST will also take an initiative to create cybersecurity requirements by the end of 2023 for consumer routers, which the government says are “a higher-risk type of product that, if compromised, could be used to eavesdrop, steal passwords, and attack other devices” and high value network. Once finalized, the FCC may also choose to apply the new label to those products using the standard.
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