FCC Smart Home Security Program Faces Uncertain Future

The US Cyber Trust Mark Program is likely winding down less than a year after it launched. UL Solutions announced it is stepping down as the program's lead administrator. This follows an FCC investigation into ties with China. The program is now in limbo, though not officially shut down. This follows the FCC rolling back cybersecurity regulations for telecom companies in November.

The US Cyber Trust Mark Program faces an uncertain future following a major administrative change. UL Solutions, a safety testing company, has announced it is stepping down as the program's lead administrator. This departure occurs less than a year after the program launched.

The initiative was designed to provide consumers with a recognizable certification for smart home security, similar to the Energy Star labeling system. Without a lead administrator, the program is left in a state of limbo. While it has not been officially shut down, the loss of its primary administrator creates significant operational challenges.

The administrative change follows scrutiny from federal regulators. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began investigating UL Solutions several months ago. The investigation focused on the company's ties to China.

The timing of the investigation and the subsequent decision by UL Solutions to step down suggests a connection between the two events. The FCC has been increasingly vigilant regarding foreign influence in US technology infrastructure. This scrutiny appears to have impacted the viability of the Cyber Trust Mark Program.

The potential dissolution of the Cyber Trust Mark Program is not an isolated incident. It represents a broader trend of the FCC scaling back security initiatives. In November, the agency rolled back cybersecurity regulations for telecom companies.

This pattern suggests a shift in regulatory priorities at the agency. The FCC has now axed or weakened two distinct security programs within a short timeframe. The rollback of telecom regulations preceded the current issues with the smart home security certification.

The US Cyber Trust Mark Program was intended to help consumers make informed decisions about the security of their smart home devices. Without a centralized certification system, consumers may struggle to differentiate between secure and vulnerable products. The Energy Star style certification aimed to fill this gap.

The loss of the program leaves a void in the smart home market. Manufacturers lose a potential standard to aim for, and consumers lose a trusted label. The FCC has not yet commented on a replacement for the program.