New IoT Cybersecurity Label for Electronics Manufacturers
This week Internet of Things (IoT) cybersecurity received a significant boost when the Biden-Harris Administration announced on July 18 a new consumer IoT cybersecurity labeling program. The new program signifies the first cybersecurity specification at the national level in the United States. It focuses on protecting consumers from IoT security threats via connected devices, such as security cameras, smart TVs, electronic door locks, smartwatches, and other modern essentials.
How will the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program affect consumers?
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark IoT labeling program outlines cybersecurity standards devised by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The program will improve consumer IoT security by setting minimum security standards for parameters like encryption and data protection while better-informing consumers about the types of data an IoT device collects and how it's used.
The efforts have already paid off with this week's announcement from the White House. Anne Neuberger, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies, officially announced the new U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program, a voluntary program that will require manufacturers to pass a series of tests, disclose privacy information, and allow them to affix the new Cyber Trust Mark to their IoT products.
Specifically, the new labeling system elevates the security of IoT devices by unveiling the data types collected and their intended use, enabling consumers to make more informed decisions when selecting a connected device for purchase.
" Connected devices of all types are reshaping the world — from healthcare and connected cars to consumer electronics and industrial controls. As a leader in IoT, 6G, and other new technologies, Keysight strongly supports the new IoT cybersecurity labeling standards introduced by the White House. We are pleased to share our expertise and tools to help device makers quickly meet these critical new standards to safeguard consumers and manufacturers."
Satish Dhanasekaran, President and Chief Executive Officer, Keysight
How manufacturers and designers can comply with U.S Cyber Trust Mark
Keysight was privileged to be invited to the White House Cyber Trust Mark launch event and to say a few words on how this new program will benefit connected device consumers and manufacturers alike. Joining other industry innovators, Amazon, Google, Qualcomm, Best Buy, LG, Samsung, and Consumer Reports, Keysight represented the design and development segment perspective on this initiative. In short, Keysight will enable the success of this program by providing the tools for electronics designers and manufacturers to help them achieve compliance and certification for the new Cyber Mark Trust labeling program.
In his remarks to those in attendance, Keysight's Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and General Manager of Network Test & Security Solutions, said:
" Consumers are rapidly embracing IoT devices to get through their day, which poses a severe risk to privacy, financial, and health data. This is bad for everyone, consumers and manufacturers alike, but we've never had any standard for securing consumer IoT devices or letting buyers know how secure their devices are. Keysight welcomes this initiative to improve consumer cybersecurity.
We're here today because we're excited to announce our point-and-click, turnkey certification solution. Leveraging our nearly 20 years of security testing expertise, consumer IoT manufacturers can quickly spot and fix security gaps in their products, ultimately validate their security, and achieve the new IoT label."
View Keysight's statement at the White House briefing on IoT Cybersecurity
Keysight makes it easy and cost-effective for manufacturers to significantly improve the cybersecurity of their IoT products right now and comply with the new White House IoT labeling standard once finalized using the Keysight IoT Security Assessment. This turnkey IoT cybersecurity certification platform automates validation through a point-and-click interface, enabling device makers to quickly bring new IoT products to market without hiring a large team of cybersecurity experts.
The system tests for multiple security flaw parameters, from Bluetooth protocol vulnerabilities baked into the supply chain to weak passwords and outdated encryption.
The future of IoT cybersecurity compliance tools
Keysight's commitment to developing an automated, turnkey assessment capability eliminates a significant potential obstacle for the U.S. Trust Cyber Mark program — uptake by manufacturers — making validation attainable at a reasonable cost and without hiring a team of cybersecurity experts. Keysight has already implemented such automated cybersecurity testing for connected cars and 5G O-RAN, and this marks the next step in Keysight's security automation evolution.
Keysight is, to date, the only testing solution provider currently addressing this critical challenge. That's due, in part, to Keysight's unique position in the industry as one of the few companies that understand both testing and cybersecurity from the radio link (WiFi and Bluetooth) up to the application level and can combine all that expertise into one easy-to-use package.
As part of our mission to connect and secure the world, Keysight is honored and excited to help bring this crucial IoT cybersecurity labeling program to life.