The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly moving ahead with plans to develop and implement a voluntary labeling program for connected smart devices that meet rigorous cybersecurity requirements.
In remarks presented in mid-July at the White House in Washington, DC, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel announced that she has presented to the Commission a proposal to launch the first-ever voluntary “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark” Program. The proposed program, which would qualify connected smart devices to bear the Cyber Trust Mark, would help consumers to identify secure products while also creating incentives for device manufacturers to meet rigorous cybersecurity standards.
“Just like the ‘Energy Star’ logo helps consumers know what devices are energy efficient, the Cyber Trust Mark will help consumers make more informed decisions about device privacy and security,” Rosenworcel noted. “What’s more, because we know devices and services are not static, we are proposing that along with the mark we will have a QR code that provides up-to-date information on that device.”
Rosenworcel said that the proposed Cyber Trust Mark Program is based on extensive work by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop criteria for cyber secure devices.
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) detailing specifics about the labeling program is expected to be voted on by the Commission in the coming days before being issued for public comment. We’ll post a link to the NPRM in an upcoming NewsBreak as soon as it is available.
