Recently, CTIA, the wireless industry association, announced the creation of the CTIA Cybersecurity Certification Program for cellular-connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices. According to CTIA, the certification can only be earned by IoT devices “built from the ground up with cybersecurity in mind,” which should protect both consumers and wireless infrastructure.
The program also includes many of the same features Public Knowledge recently recommended in “Securing the Modern Economy: Transforming Cybersecurity Through Sustainability,” a whitepaper outlining, among other things, how device manufacturers can benefit by releasing secure products at launch. Among other important aspects, the program incorporates existing, multistakeholder-developed, well-recognized standards to establish the certification process. It may also support the development of a security capabilities baseline for these types of products.
The following can be attributed to Megan Stifel, Cybersecurity Policy Director at Public Knowledge:
“Programs like CTIA’s certification mark important developments in building a more secure and sustainable internet ecosystem that benefits everyone. Not only do such programs support a marketplace of more secure devices, but they also enhance transparency and build awareness of the need and opportunity for all of us to make the secure choices to create a more sustainable ecosystem. We applaud CTIA for their transparency and commitment to this effort.”
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