The ioXt Alliance, the global standard for IoT security, announced that its CEO, Gary Jabara, participated in a White House strategic discussion on developing an effective IoT security labeling program. The event included senior representatives from IoT device manufacturers, industry associations, standards bodies and U.S. government agencies, and was held on October 19, 2022. The IoT security labeling event was among the initiatives supporting the May 2021 executive order 14028 on improving the nation’s cybersecurity.
“It was an honor to participate in this meeting and help define a robust labeling system for IoT security that will mitigate security risk for businesses and consumers, harmonize a fragmented ecosystem and improve national security”
The IoT security labeling event had four goals:
- Harness market forces to accelerate the development of IoT security labeling programs to raise the level of cybersecurity across the entire IoT ecosystem.
- Incentivize the ability of manufacturers and retailers to incorporate baseline and more advanced cybersecurity functionality in products.
- Reduce unnecessary barriers to trade by harmonizing international labeling programs.
- Identify the oversight and regulatory mechanisms necessary to ensure that IoT products meet or exceed security baselines.
Insights from the event will serve as a platform to communicate the U.S. government’s commitment to IoT security, announce initial actions it is taking and articulate a work plan for achieving the vision.
“It was an honor to participate in this meeting and help define a robust labeling system for IoT security that will mitigate security risk for businesses and consumers, harmonize a fragmented ecosystem and improve national security,” said ioXt CEO Gary Jabara. “As the global standard for IoT security, ioXt is very pleased to be intimately involved and offer its insights to support this very important initiative. We will continue to work with regulators in launching an effective labeling program across the country.”
The lack of market transparency regarding IoT security makes it difficult for buyers to make informed choices, which has led to a proliferation of insecure devices in American households and businesses. Both cybercriminals and hostile nation-state actors have increasingly exploited this growing attack surface to conduct surveillance and launch cyber-attacks, presenting a national security concern. By providing consumers with the ability to evaluate IoT products based on their cybersecurity protections, labeling programs may dramatically improve security across the IoT ecosystem.