A new law will protect millions of users of internet-connected household items from the threat of cyber hacks, UK's Digital Minister Matt Warman announced recently.
The plans, drawn up by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will make sure all consumer smart devices sold in the UK adhere to the three rigorous security requirements for the Internet of Things (IoT). These are:
- All consumer internet-connected device passwords must be unique and not resettable to any universal factory setting
- Manufacturers of consumer IoT devices must provide a public point of contact so anyone can report a vulnerability and it will be acted on in a timely manner
- Manufacturers of consumer IoT devices must explicitly state the minimum length of time for which the device will receive security updates at the point of sale, either in store or online
- The sale of connected devices is on the rise. Research suggests there will be 75 billion internet connected devices, such as televisions, cameras, home assistants and their associated services, in homes around the world by the end of 2025.
The Government said that it is working with international partners to ensure that the guidelines drive a consistent, global approach to IoT security.
Matt Warman, UK's Digital Minister
We want to make the UK the safest place to be online with pro-innovation regulation that breeds confidence in modern technology.
