On January 7, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the US Cyber Trust Mark Program, a cyber-security initiative aimed at enhancing IoT security across the United States.
This program not only signifies a major step forward in safeguarding users and the Internet as a whole, but also aligns with global efforts, especially with existing European IoT security frameworks such as the EU Cybersecurity Act.
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The Cyber Trust Mark Program is an FCC-led initiative designed to certify IoT devices that meet a predefined minimum of security standards. By providing a recognizable mark, the program helps consumers identify devices that adhere to these cyber-security practices, which makes the device less likely to be compromised.
The program is expected to have the first few certifications granted in the second half of the year to a specific range of consumer devices. While the US Cyber Trust Mark will be granted on qualifying consumer smart devices such as TV sets, home security cameras, fitness trackers, streaming dongles and air conditioning control systems, some others, such as medical devices, smart cars and wired devices (including routers), will not be eligible.
While the Cyber Trust Mark sets the standard, it only covers a small part of internet-connected technology and is completely voluntary. For the vast majority of devices sold across the United States, this seal will make no difference. Nor will it for the already existing 28 billion devices that depend on technologies like NETGEAR Armor for maintaining and enhancing their security. Many households and businesses still rely on IoT devices that may not have been designed with cyber-security in mind. NETGEAR Armor bridges this gap by providing advanced threat detection for both wireless and wired devices connected to your home network.
While the launch of the Cyber Trust Mark Program marks an important milestone in the industry, this is not a replacement for dedicated cyber-security solutions. As cyber threats continue to evolve, ongoing collaboration between regulatory bodies, industry players, and security technology like NETGEAR Armor will be essential in maintaining robust defenses.
