ioXt Alliance Supports UK Consumer Security Proposal

ioXt Alliance Backs the UK’s DCMS Consumer Security Proposal

Proposed Legislation Aligns with ioXt’s Core Tenets and Mission to Improve  IoT Security Globally

The ioXt Alliance worked in close cooperation with the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to validate its proposed legislation, confirming the measures will improve security for consumer devices without adding undue burden to the complex and competitive connected product manufacturing market, and ensuring that the requirements can be validated using ioXt’s certification program.

The DCMS’s proposed regulations focus on three core areas: no universal passwords, published expiration dates and vulnerability disclosure programs. All three requirements are covered by the ioXt Alliance security pledge and compliance program, designed to provide security, upgradability and transparency to consumer electronics.

“We are committed to making the UK the safest place to be online and our plans will ensure security standards are built into smart products - including smartphones - from the start,” said Matt Warman, Digital Infrastructure Minister. “It is fantastic to receive the backing of the ioXt Alliance as we reach this important milestone. Our continued collaboration with industry players is vital to ensuring consumers of smart products benefit from strong security and feel confident in the credentials of the devices they purchase."

“Requiring unique passwords, operating a vulnerability disclosure program, and informing consumers on the length of time products will be supported is a minimum that any manufacturer should provide,” said Brad Ree, CTO of the ioXt Alliance. “These are all included in the ioXt compliance program and have been well received by manufacturers around the world. We applaud the UK government for taking this critical step to demand more from IoT device manufacturers and to better protect the consumers and businesses that use them.”

The ioXt Alliance is an industry-led organization of more than 400 member companies who work to improve security for  IoT devices for smart homes, smart buildings, cellular IoT, and mobile applications. Frequently working alongside public sector leaders and government agencies, the ioXt Alliance is committed to developing, validating and supporting regulatory actions that align with the group’s mission. In December 2020, the ioXt Alliance revealed it led industry-input in the development of the bipartisan-supported U.S. IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act, now signed into law. 

The proposed DCMS legislation comes at a time when IoT device usage is surging amid an explosive rise in security vulnerabilities, exploits and hacking incidents. According to a recent Ipsos MORI survey of 2,000 UK consumers commissioned by DCMS [Ipsos MORI survey], nearly six in ten consumers (57%) reported an increase in their household use of smart devices since the start of the pandemic. The same survey also revealed that UK consumers value security and are expecting more to be done to safeguard devices. Nine in ten consumers (87%) say that smart devices should have basic embedded features to protect user privacy and security while 84% believe those in the supply chain have a responsibility to be aware of security features in products before they are sold.

To learn more about the ioXt Alliance and how to become a member visit www.ioxtalliance.org.

About the ioXt Alliance

The ioXt Alliance is the Global Standard for IoT Security. Backed by the biggest names in technology and device manufacturing, including Google, Amazon, Facebook, T-Mobile, Comcast and more, the ioXt Alliance is the only industry-led, global IoT device security and certification program in the world. Devices with the ioXt SmartCert gives consumers and retailers greater confidence in a highly connected world.          

About the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) helps to drive growth, enrich lives, and promote Britain abroad. The Department protects and promotes our cultural and artistic heritage and helps businesses and communities to grow by investing in innovation and highlighting Britain as a fantastic place to visit. It helps to give the UK a unique advantage on the global stage, striving for economic success.  

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