The Federal Communications Commission on Monday picked a new organization to oversee its cybersecurity labeling program for internet of things devices, signaling that the Trump administration is still keen to launch its predecessor’s effort to put security at the center of smart-gadget purchases. The FCC picked the nonprofit ioXt Alliance to be the new lead administrator of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program, in which government-approved testing labs will review voluntarily submitted IoT products and certify that they meet the necessary standards to carry a security seal of approval. The program is aimed at consumers but will also likely influence businesses’ purchasing decisions. Officials hope that more widespread use of secure IoT devices will make it harder for hackers to commandeer the devices for cyberattacks, as they have repeatedly done over the years. The Biden administration, which created the Cyber Trust Mark Program, initially selected the global standards organization UL Solutions to administer the program, but UL withdrew in December, after the Trump administration began investigating the company over its ties to China. That investigation led some experts to wonder whether the FCC’s new Republican leadership planned to sideline the Cyber Trust Mark Program. Monday’s announcement suggests that the FCC is committed to the program. In a statement, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the commission was confident that ioXt would “implement the program in a way that is consistent with” its founding purpose. As lead administrator, the FCC explained in its official order, ioXt will be responsible for, among other tasks, “leading the ongoing stakeholder engagement to recommend additional IoT-specific standards and testing procedures, developing a consumer outreach campaign in collaboration with stakeholders, and acting as liaison between the Commission and [other label administrators].” According to the commission, ioXt has said that “it is well positioned to serve as Lead
FCC signals continued commitment to Cyber Trust Mark program
Read the original article
cybersecuritydive.com →