Are your smart devices safe? New government logo will ID devices less prone to cyberattack.
WASHINGTON – American consumers wanting to know which smart devices are safest from cyberattack could soon be able to buy products bearing a government-backed logo.
The Biden administration and the Federal Communications Commission will launch a new certification and labeling program on Tuesday to help buyers identify which Internet- and Bluetooth-connected devices meet federal cybersecurity requirements and are less vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Products that meet the standards will be stamped with a certification mark or logo to be called the “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.”
“We hear time and time again that American consumers want to buy cybersecure products,” said Anne Neuberger, the White House deputy national security adviser.
The certification logo will provide them with “peace of mind that the devices you’re buying or bringing into your homes, your classrooms or your workplace are safer and less vulnerable to cyberattacks,” she said.
Manufacturers whose devices meet the certification standards also will benefit because they will be able to differentiate them from other products that don’t, FCC Chairwoman Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.
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The certification mark will be similar to the Energy Star logo currently found on energy-efficient products and will be applied to a broad range of devices, such as baby monitors, home security cameras, fitness trackers, smart TVs and refrigerators of all price ranges.
Major electronics, appliance manufacturers and retailers have volunteered to increase cybersecurity for their products and participate in the program, including Amazon, Best Buy, Google, Samsung and Logitech.
Certified devices will be required to meet cybersecurity criteria published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and that, for example, requires unique and strong default passwords, data protection, software updates and incident detection capabilities.
Administration officials expect to have the program running in late 2024. Products bearing the certification stamp should be available in the marketplace soon afterward.
The FCC is expected to seek public comment on the program.
In addition, the FCC intends to provide a QR code that will link to a national registry of certified devices where buyers can find specific security information about available smart products.
Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New logo will identity smart devices safest from cyberattack
