NIST workshop considers improvements to labeling for Internet of Things products and consumer software

The Nilsson song “Everybody’s Talking” has withstood the test of time and now could refer to the host of smart household products that communicate with consumers – and often with each other. But are companies protecting the security of consumer information they collect or maintain? A May 2021 Executive Order directed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – in coordination with the FTC and other agencies – to initiate two labeling efforts to educate consumers on the cybersecurity implications of Internet of Things devices and to consider safer consumer software development practices. Those are the topics on the table at a NIST virtual public workshop on September 14-15, 2021, and you’re invited to participate.

The Executive Order directs NIST to: 1) “identify IoT cybersecurity criteria for a consumer labeling program;” and 2) “identify secure software development practices or practices for a consumer software labeling program.” Under the Order, NIST will consider whether those programs “may be operated in conjunction with or modeled after any similar existing government programs consistent with applicable law.” The September workshop, Cybersecurity Labeling Programs for Consumers: Internet of Things Devices and Software, will feature panel discussions and presentations based on consumer software labeling position papers submitted to NIST and potential IoT baseline security criteria NIST shared in August.

Registration for the public workshop is free and you’ll have a chance to submit questions online during the sessions, but you must sign up in advance from the Register to Attend the Virtual Event link on NIST’s website.