The White House and FCC plan to launch a cybersecurity labeling program, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, by 2024, in collaboration with major retailers like Amazon, Google, and Samsung.
Manufacturers agreeing to NIST cybersecurity criteria will be granted a shield logo label on their products, signaling compliance with industry standards. The program aims to enhance the security of consumer-grade routers, combat botnet growth, and curb vulnerabilities in smart devices, including refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, and fitness trackers.
Consumers will make informed choices, benefiting from recognized security and privacy standards, while manufacturers will gain a competitive edge in marketing secure devices.
The Energy Department will extend the labeling concept to smart meters and power inverters, vital components in clean energy and the smart grid. Yuvraj Agarwal, a cybersecurity expert, revealed that consumers are willing to pay more for products with improved cybersecurity, recognizing the risks posed by smart devices.
Documented incidents of breaches in devices like baby monitors, leading to unauthorized surveillance, have increased the demand for a labeling program, emphasizing consumers’ concern for privacy.
The Cyber Trust Mark may also prevent Mirai malware-induced breaches, which exploit ARC processors in smart devices for denial-of-service attacks, flooding websites with junk traffic. The label serves as a valuable guide for consumers, as many struggle to assess product cybersecurity on their own, presenting a timely and essential initiative for securing smart devices.
