The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to create a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other consumer products that connect to the Internet.
The program aims to help consumers shop for products less prone to cyberattacks by labeling compliant devices with a “Cyber Trust Mark” similar to the ENERGY STAR marking. The FCC will also seek public feedback on potential security risks posed by software products from adversarial nations and will not grant the label to entities deemed dangerous to US national security. The labeling initiative is part of a broader Biden administration plan to improve US cybersecurity across various industries overseen by federal agencies.
This move comes as the FCC cited a significant increase in cyber vulnerabilities due to the growing number of internet-connected devices.