American homeowners have continued to get on the smart home bandwagon, although with some amount of trepidation, particularly with concern that their smart devices are listening to them or that hackers have access to their conversations thanks to smart devices. Still, there is a debate in the mix. While 73% are skeptical about having their smart devices listen to them. However, 60% still maintain that smart devices have made their lives easier.
A majority also find that a few smart devices are comically unnecessary, with many saying “No” to a Smart toaster and toilet.
There are a few frightening examples of hackers who made their presence known in homes, including hacking baby monitors to broadcast threats.
It is important to see the whole scope of security threats. If there is a weakness in security, it can be exploited in numerous ways and by many devices.
It is About More Than the Actual Device
A compromised baby monitor can serve as a gateway to the local home network and to any other device connected to that network: a smart voice assistant, smart speakers, smart plugs, smart bulbs, a smart vacuum cleaner — you name it,” according to Adguard.com.
Hackers can brilliantly harness the data offered by these devices, including figuring out the layout of a home by tracking the movements of a Smart vacuum cleaner.
As the threats increase, so does the connectivity of the typical American home, increasing convenience and automation.
So, homeowners are anxiously automated, connected, and worried, loving the benefits of a smart device, but also with an awareness of attached risk.
With the increasing prevalence of smart home technology, there has been a growing concern regarding security and privacy. Addressing these concerns, the Biden Administration plans to introduce a labeling system for smart home products. This label will provide consumers with information about whether the product meets U.S. cybersecurity standards.
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark: Promoting Consumer Confidence
The White House unveiled the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, a consumer-oriented label designed to guarantee the security and safety of smart home devices.
“Devices including baby monitors, home security cameras, fitness trackers, TVs, refrigerators, and smart climate control systems that meet the U.S. government’s cybersecurity requirements will bear the Cyber Trust label, a shield logo, as early as next year,” according to the Associated Press.
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is an initiative designed to serve as a stamp of approval, indicating that a product has undergone rigorous security testing and meets specific cybersecurity standards. By providing consumers with a clear indicator of trust, the label will promote informed decision-making and encourage manufacturers to prioritize security within their products. As of today, 20 companies have joined the voluntary labeling effort, including Google, Amazon, LG Electronics U.S.A., Samsung, Logitech, and the electronics retailer Best Buy.
The Threats Lurking Within Smart Homes
- While smart home technology offers numerous benefits, it also exposes homes to various threats. Defenseless Smart devices are vulnerable to exploitation by malicious hackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential information, monitor activities, and launch cyber-attacks. Here are some of the potential threats highlighted by experts:
- Privacy Breaches: Smart devices collect vast amounts of personal data, including user habits, preferences, and audio and video recordings. Without adequate security measures, this data is in danger of being intercepted and misused, leading to privacy breaches and identity theft.
- Network Vulnerabilities: Many smart devices connect to a home network, which plugs into the broader internet. Weak security measures or outdated firmware can make the entire network vulnerable to cyber-attacks, jeopardizing smart devices and other connected devices such as computers and smartphones.
- Unauthorized Access: Insecure smart devices, such as doorbells or cameras, can be manipulated to grant unauthorized access to criminals. This puts the security of the home and its occupants at risk, potentially leading to incidents such as burglary or other nefarious activities.
- Botnet Attacks: Compromised smart devices are often harnessed by cybercriminals to form botnets, which are armies of infected devices. These botnets can launch large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, overwhelming websites, or critical online services, and disrupting normal online activities.
- Lack of Manufacturer Support: Some smart home devices receive little to no ongoing support from manufacturers, leaving them vulnerable to emerging threats. Without regular security updates and patches, devices become increasingly susceptible to attacks as new vulnerabilities are discovered.
- While smart home technology offers numerous benefits, it also exposes homes to various threats. Defenseless Smart devices are vulnerable to exploitation by malicious hackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential information, monitor activities, and launch cyber-attacks. Here are some of the potential threats highlighted by experts:
Addressing the Threats: The Role of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark plays a vital role in addressing the security challenges faced by smart home devices. Those behind it hope it will gain as much traction as the early nineties Energy Star label that denotes energy-efficient products. Here are a few ways in which this label can help protect homes and consumers:
- Encouraging Security Best Practices: The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark incentivizes manufacturers to prioritize security in their product development. By undergoing rigorous testing and meeting established cybersecurity standards, manufacturers can earn the trust of consumers, promoting a culture of security within the industry.
- Promoting Consumer Awareness: The label serves as an educational tool, empowering consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing smart home devices. By recognizing the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, consumers can identify products that meet robust security criteria. Raising awareness about the importance of device security.
- Driving Industry Standards: The introduction of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark sets a precedent for industry-wide security standards. As more manufacturers strive to achieve the label, the overall security posture of smart home devices is likely to improve. This will foster an environment where security is a fundamental requirement rather than an afterthought.
- Encouraging Security Best Practices: The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark incentivizes manufacturers to prioritize security in their product development. By undergoing rigorous testing and meeting established cybersecurity standards, manufacturers can earn the trust of consumers, promoting a culture of security within the industry.
While the program incentivizes better security for Internet of Things (IoT) companies to bolster security for the smart devices they manufacture, some experts warn that the label is not enough.
“You can’t slap a label on a smart device and think you’ve solved cybersecurity [issues].”Justin Sherman who is a non-resident fellow for the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, told CBS News. “You’re never going to have a perfectly secure device ever. And these technologies always change, [so] even the label — you are going to have to update the label.”
When the Label Is not Enough
The White House anticipates that the label will be on products by late 2024, after it undergoes a Formal Federal Communications Commission rule-making process, according to CBS.
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is a step in the right direction to help ensure the safety of Americans in their homes. By prioritizing security, raising consumer awareness, and driving industry standards, this label has the potential to enhance the security of smart homes and protect consumers from the growing threats posed by insecure devices.
Consumers should look for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark when selecting smart home devices in the future and be cognizant of good security practices for their homes, like maintaining strong passwords for all their devices. Weak passwords are the scourge of effective cyber security. After all, one compromised password led to the cyberattack of the Colonial Pipeline and fuel shortages across the East Coast of the United States.
