The Biden administration is preparing to unveil a new cybersecurity label to let shoppers know which ones are safe

As reported by The Verge, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel revealed at a press briefing that the new label is called the US Cyber Trust Mark The label will appear on smart home devices in both brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers beginning next year

The US Cyber Trust Mark indicates that the device meets the security standards set forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in a report released last year; if NIST sounds familiar, it's because this government agency often links to it in articles about malicious apps and other cyber threats If NIST sounds familiar, it's because this government agency is responsible for the National Vulnerability Database, which we often link to in articles about malicious apps and other cyber threats [But companies such as Google, Samsung, Logitech, Amazon, and Best Buy, as well as industry groups such as the Connectivity Standards Alliance, which developed the Matter smart home standard, have already expressed their support

When the US CyberTrustmark program rolls out next year, it will cover a variety of smart home devices, including smart refrigerators, smart microwave ovens, smart TVs, and smart thermostats However, fitness trackers and other connected devices will also be covered

In a press release announcing the US Cybertrust Mark, the Biden administration further elaborated on what the program aims to achieve: "The purpose of this program is to provide consumers with tools to make informed decisions about the relative security of the products they bring into their homes The goal of this program is to provide consumers with the tools to make informed decisions about the relative security of the products they bring into their homes

In addition to labels that will be added to the packaging of smart home devices, there will also be a QR code that shoppers can scan after purchasing such a device to see if it is still authenticated In doing so, they will also know if there are any patches that need to be downloaded to protect the device from new threats

During a question-and-answer session following the press briefing announcing the US Cybertrust Mark, FCC officials also revealed that the government agency is considering annual recertification to ensure that these new certifications are current

Smart home devices, while useful, have long been a thorn in the side of the cybersecurity community Unlike the best laptop or the best cell phone, they do not receive the same patches and updates as new threats emerge

We often see cybercriminals and other hackers take advantage of these unpatched vulnerabilities in their attacks, and the US CyberTrustmark program seeks to limit the damage caused by exploiting these vulnerabilities This is a major step forward At the same time, the program is changing the way Americans think about connected devices, and at the same time, it is a strong reminder that updates and patching are necessary to keep them secure

There is still time for the US cyber trustmark to begin appearing on smart home devices, and more information will come from the Biden administration and the FCC before these new labels begin to roll out