White House unveils Cyber Trust Mark program for consumer devices
The Cyber Trust Mark is akin to the Energy Star label that certifies devices’ energy efficiency. The cyber label has been in development for months, in coordination with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Federal Communications Commission.
Last month, agencies tapped UL Solutions, a laboratories corporation, to be the lead administrator for the program. A set of ten other firms were selected as deputy administrators a week after. The program has been in development for months and has been long awaited since the White House began signaling its release throughout last year.
Major companies like Amazon and Best Buy will help educate consumers on where to find the label on devices, Deputy National Security Director for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger told reporters Tuesday.
“We believe there will be labeled products on shelves in 2025,” she said.
The illustrated mark would take on several color appearances on consumer devices, depending on their look and design, but would be oriented around a shield symbol to represent the notion that they’re certified under a set of NIST-designed cyber standards that denote the device is safer for consumers to integrate into their homes.
The mark is expected to play a role in a forthcoming cybersecurity executive order expected to be released this week. Under the order, the federal government will be required to procure devices with the cyber mark by 2027, Neuberger added.
“We want to signal and prime the pump with our own major tech purchases of the U.S. government that this is the way we move the internet of things market to be more secure,” she said.
Neuberger is also set to make an appearance alongside FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel at CES 2025 in Las Vegas to discuss the mark on Thursday. They will encourage companies to submit their products to be vetted for the labeling scheme.
Nextgov/FCW Staff Correspondent Alexandra Kelley contributed to this report.
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