Source: CBS News

That new smart device you've been eyeing for your home may soon come with
a label that includes information about whether it meets U.S.
cybersecurity standards.

On Tuesday, the White House unveiled the "U.S. Cyber Trust Mark," which
is aimed at making it easier for consumers to determine if a smart home
product and its connections meet certain cybersecurity criteria set by
the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The new consumer labeling effort is being compared to the "Energy Star"
label that describes a product's energy efficiency. The Energy Star
program has been in place since 1992, with thousands of utilities, state
and local goverments and other organizations involved, and the program's website claims over 90% of American households recognize the label.

The White House is hoping the new shield-shaped label will gain similar traction with American consumers amid growing concern over security vulnerabilities that exist among "Internet of Things" (IoT) devices.
Officials worry hackers or nation states could seek to exploit
vulnerabilities in smart home devices to steal personal data or wreak
havoc on computer systems. The overall purpose of the program is to
inform consumers about the security of the smart devices, like baby
monitors, smart door locks, smart TVs and thermostats. The voluntary
program offers an incentive for IoT companies to beef up security for
their devices, but experts warn the label alone isn't enough.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-new-consumer-label- for-smart-home-devices/

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