FCC picks new Cyber Trust Mark program overseer

Nonprofit organization ioXt Alliance has been named by the Federal Communications Commission as the lead administrator for its Cyber Trust Mark Program, reports Cybersecurity Dive.

Under the program, voluntarily submitted Internet of Things devices will be examined by government-approved testing facilities, which will then certify that they satisfy the requirements to obtain a security seal of approval. Although the program's target audience is consumers, corporations' purchasing habits will probably also be impacted. According to the FCC's official order, ioXt will spearhead ongoing efforts raising IoT-specific standards and testing procedures, crafting a consumer outreach program alongside stakeholders, and serving as a bridge between the FCC and other label admins. FCC Chair Brendan Carr expressed the commission's confidence that ioXt will "implement the program in a way that is consistent with" its original intent.

"Selecting a new Lead Administrator puts the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program on a path to success and supports American consumers and U.S. national security," said David Grossman, the vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at the Consumer Technology Association.