The Biden administration is pushing forward with a new initiative aimed at improving cybersecurity for consumer devices. According to Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, the White House hopes to have a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program in place by the end of the year. This program, known as the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, is designed to help consumers make informed decisions about the security of everyday household items like baby monitors and remote thermostats.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has already given its unanimous approval for the Cyber Trust Mark program, which aims to incentivize manufacturers to integrate essential digital defenses into their products and could help distinguish them in a competitive market. At a recent Council on Foreign Relations event, Neuberger emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring these devices are secure, stating that a significant number of companies have already signed up for product testing by accredited labs.

Why it matters: With the proliferation of connected devices in homes, schools, and offices, ensuring their cybersecurity is critical. The Cyber Trust Mark program seeks to address the vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors, ultimately protecting consumers and mitigating the broader cybersecurity risks.

• Cyber Trust Mark Initiative: The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is a voluntary labeling program approved by the FCC, intended to guide consumers in purchasing secure connected devices. By increasing transparency about device security, the program raises public awareness and understanding of cybersecurity issues related to the Internet of Things (IoT).

• Consumer Benefits: The program will help consumers identify and choose devices with strong cybersecurity measures, enhancing overall digital safety in everyday products as well as driving economic benefits by encouraging innovation and competition among manufacturers to meet higher security standards.

• Market Influence: The federal government, as a major tech buyer, intends to lead by example, influencing market trends and encouraging widespread adoption of secure practices among tech manufacturers.

Go Deeper -> Cyber trust label could be in place by end of the year, White House says – The Record