For the professional security industry, the conversation surrounding the security and reliability of connected devices is nothing new. Our industry has long been aware of the risks – unsecured devices acting as potential network entry points, vulnerabilities in communication protocols, even some manufacturers prioritizing convenience over security; however, the conversation has begun to expand beyond the professional sphere.
Now, consumers, businesses, and government regulators – your customers – are paying closer attention to how secure IoT devices truly are; in fact, a proliferation of cyberattacks, data breaches, and hacking incidents has turned cybersecurity into a general-public concern.
To help address growing concerns and vulnerabilities among consumers of these products, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has introduced the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, designed with the ultimate goal of helping end-users quickly and easily assess the security of connected devices.
While it is clear that the trusted “mark” will help the general consumer, it begs the question: What does this mean for the professional security industry?
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark: A Closer Look
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark initiative should not be viewed as “just another certification” – instead, it represents a fundamental shift in how cybersecurity is perceived and prioritized. Security is no longer just an industry concern; it is a consumer expectation.
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is a voluntary cybersecurity certification program created by the FCC in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and key industry stakeholders. The goal of the program is to provide a transparent, consumer-friendly labeling system for connected devices – akin to a nutritional label, but for cybersecurity.
Voluntary is a key word here, as the program was created to preempt the need for any form of government-mandated cybersecurity requirements, thus ensuring that manufacturers have a say in shaping security regulations, rather than being forced to adopt sweeping “one-size-fits-all” compliance rules.
There are two critical components to the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program: The certification and the label.
UL Solutions has been selected as the Lead Administrator and a Cybersecurity Label Administrator (CLA) for the program. To participate, manufacturers must submit their products to accredited testing laboratories for program compliance evaluation. These evaluations will ensure that devices meet the FCC’s cybersecurity requirements, which include strong encryption, unique device credentials, over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities, and robust authentication mechanisms.
Wireless consumer IoT products that pass certification will display the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark logo, signaling to consumers that the device adheres to the recognized cybersecurity standards. Alongside the displayed logo, each certified product will include a QR code, which will empower consumers to scan and access real-time security information, including compliance history, security updates, and even manufacturer support policies.
For security professionals, this program shifts cybersecurity from a back-end requirement to a front-facing, consumer-driven expectation as they evaluate the devices deployed in their homes and businesses more closely.
The Opportunity for the Professional Security Industry
Security professionals have long understood the importance of encryption, authentication, and secure device deployment, but the conversation around cybersecurity is no longer confined to industry experts.
With consumers, businesses, and regulators involved, expectations for security standards are shifting, and security integrators stand as the experts at this intersection of consumers, government, and cybersecurity. The introduction of this program – though voluntary – represents a seismic shift in the security industry. As consumers and businesses become more aware of cybersecurity risks, security professionals must be prepared to adapt.
Security integrators must be prepared to educate customers, answer questions, and provide solutions that meet the coming security requirements. Integrators who embrace this shift early will not only find it easier to meet consumer demand but will also future-proof their business in the process by directly engaging in an evolving regulatory landscape.
By staying informed of U.S. Cyber Trust Mark advancements and engaging in the now front-and-center conversation of cybersecurity, security professionals can ensure customer trust, drive new revenue, and reinforce their role as experts in the ever-evolving smart home and IoT industry; in fact, there are already a number of ways a security business can leverage the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark to their benefit:
Become an educated resource: As consumers become increasingly aware of cybersecurity risks, they will seek guidance from trusted professionals. With this program, security integrators are presented with a unique opportunity to position themselves as industry leaders by proactively educating customers on the importance of cybersecurity and helping them identify trusted devices and solutions.
Lean into compliance: Expect questions about the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark from customers while they are reviewing security devices or systems. Security professionals who answer questions about, offer, and install U.S. Cyber Trust Mark-compliant solutions will give themselves a competitive advantage in an increasingly security-minded market.
Explore new revenue opportunities: Many existing security panels, systems, and solutions may not meet U.S. Cyber Trust Mark requirements, especially when it comes to OTA update capabilities or encryption requirements. This presents security integrators with the opportunity to provide customers with system upgrades or a path to new solutions that align with more modern cybersecurity expectations. Additionally, integrators could leverage the program to explore compliance-based service models that include cybersecurity audits, firmware upgrade management, or even device lifecycle security assessments.
Prep for future requirements: While the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program is currently voluntary, it is not outside the realm of possibility that similar security compliance measures could become mandatory in the future. Security professionals who educate themselves and adopt program-compliant products now will be ahead of the curve as the regulatory landscape evolves.
Z-Wave Tech Ahead of the Game
While the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is new, the core principles behind the program – such as strong encryption, secure device authentication, and robust cybersecurity practices – are not new to the professional security industry.
In the consumer IoT device realm, security-first technologies like Z-Wave, have been developed around these priorities for years – ensuring that connected security devices meet rigorous standards.
Just because the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is new, does not mean that residential and SMB-focused security integrators need to start from scratch. The reality is that many of the solutions security professionals have already installed, or are familiar with – particularly Z-Wave-based ones – have been built with security-first principles in mind for years. A brief security health check of the Z-Wave protocol in particular reveals that the technology already meets or exceeds many U.S. Cyber Trust Mark encryption requirements:
S2 security framework – Since 2017, all Z-Wave devices submitted for certification include the S2 security framework, which mandates devices have AES-128 encryption, secure key exchange, and advanced authentication measures to protect against cyber threats.
Secure device pairing – Z-Wave’s SmartStart technology eliminates insecure device setup pitfalls by automating secure onboarding with encrypted key exchange.
Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) – expands network coverage while simultaneously maintaining end-to-end encryption and authentication protocols.
While the level of encryption required to pass Z-Wave certification already meets or exceeds the requirements outlined within the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, the program also mandates OTA firmware update capabilities – which have also long been a part of the Z-Wave ecosystem; however, the choice to implement that feature has always been manufacturer-dependent.
To further align with the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, the Z-Wave Alliance has announced plans to seamlessly integrate the full cybersecurity requirements of the FCC program into the Z-Wave device certification process. Once complete, this will mean that devices that have passed Z-Wave certification will “pre-qualify” or meet all the benchmark requirements of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program as well.
