21st April 2020 More protection for the Internet of Things

The UK government has announced plans to strengthen the rules around smart devices to protect users from cyber hacks. Research shows that, by 2025, there will be as many as 75 billion internet-connected devices in homes around the world. As the ‘Internet of Things’ becomes more ingrained in the UK home, security is in the forefront of many consumer’s minds, and the introduction of security standards is certain to reassure many.

Under these new rules, created in conjunction with the National Cyber Security Centre and set out by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, all smart devices sold will adhere to the following four guidelines: use unique passwords, non-resettable to a universal factory setting; manufacturers will provide a public point of contact for reporting a vulnerability; manufacturers must state the minimum length of time between security updates.

Speaking on the matter, Digital Minister Matt Warman said, “With pro-innovation regulation that breeds confidence in modern technology, the UK will be the safest place to be online”.