The smart, connected home offers conveniences and other features that make the home experience different than ever imagined, but, the tricky part is that means that the home then needs to be accessing data, personal data. Your home buyers and residents need to feel secure. What are the next steps?
The UK has published a voluntary code of practice for manufacturers that shows how they can proof their creations against common attacks.
It aims to stop gadgets being hijacked and used to mount cyber-attacks - and stamp out designs that let cyber-thieves steal data.
Two companies, HP and Hive Centrica, have already agreed to follow the code.
Forward steps
The government initiative is aimed at makers of small smart gadgets for the home, such as web-connected doorbells, cameras, toys and burglar alarms - the so-called internet of things (IoT).
An increasing number of cyber-attacks exploit poor security on these gadgets.
The detailed code was drawn up by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the National Cyber Security Centre. It includes 13 separate steps manufacturers can take to produce more secure products.
The steps include:
- securely storing customer data
- regularly updating software
- requiring users to choose stronger passwords
- making it easier for users to delete data and reset a device
- setting up a vulnerability disclosure policy
