The White House has unveiled a new initiative to enhance the security of internet-connected devices in American homes. The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is a cybersecurity safety label that will appear on smart products sold in the United States later this year.
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is a label designed for consumer smart devices, including home security cameras, TVs, internet-connected appliances, fitness trackers, climate control systems, and baby monitors. This mark signals that a device meets a set of security features approved by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
To earn the Cyber Trust Mark, vendors must meet NIST’s cybersecurity criteria, which include using unique and strong default passwords, providing software updates, implementing data protection measures, and incorporating incident detection capabilities. Consumers can scan a QR code next to the Cyber Trust Mark label to access additional security information, including instructions for changing the default password, steps for securely configuring the device, and details on automatic updates and how to access them.
The program is set to launch in 2025, with companies able to submit their products for testing to earn the label. Major retailers like Best Buy and Amazon have committed to highlighting labeled products, and the program has garnered support from major electronics, appliance, and consumer product makers.
While the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark aims to cover a wide range of smart home gadgets, not everything in your tech arsenal will be sporting this new seal of approval. Medical devices overseen by the FDA, cars and car equipment under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s watchful eye, wired devices, industrial and enterprise gear, and equipment on the FCC’s naughty list will not be included in the program.
The Cyber Trust Mark is a solid start in making our connected homes a bit safer from digital ne’er-do-wells, and it’s a game-changer for you and me as consumers in our hyper-connected world.
