"Smart Devices: Putting a Premium on Peace of Mind"

At least one smart device vulnerable to cyberattacks, such as smart TVs, robot vacuums, and more, is present in two out of every five homes worldwide. Such devices will soon come with a label that helps consumers determine whether the device is secure and protected against malicious actors attempting to eavesdrop on users or sell victims' data. In July, the White House announced plans to implement a voluntary labeling program for Internet-connected devices such as refrigerators, thermostats, and baby monitors that satisfy certain cybersecurity requirements, including data de-identification and automatic security updates. A recent survey of American consumers reveals that they are willing to pay a significant premium to know beforehand which devices respect their privacy and are secure against security attacks. However, the authors of the study caution that more than voluntary product labels may be required if the program is to protect consumers in the long term. Pardis Emami-Naeini, an assistant professor of computer science at Duke University who conducted the survey with colleagues from Carnegie Mellon University, noted that device manufacturers who do not care about security and privacy may decide not to disclose at all. This article continues to discuss cybersecurity labeling for smart devices.

Duke University reports "Smart Devices: Putting a Premium on Peace of Mind"