Is your IoT product ready for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark? Here’s what OEMs need to know

You have built a foolproof IoT product. It has useful features, seamless experience, and top-notch security. Now, the next action in order is to get your trust mark.

That’s where the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark comes in.

Just like Energy Star labels help consumers identify energy-efficient appliances, the Cyber Trust Mark will help your customers make confident purchasing decisions about the security of your IoT devices.

Introduced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this voluntary cybersecurity labeling program is set to transform how consumers evaluate and purchase smart devices.

For consumers, this has become a pressing concern as IoT adoption accelerates. For you as a manufacturer, it represents both a challenge and a significant opportunity.

What is the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program?

The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is more than just another certification. It’s the first federally-backed cybersecurity label for consumer IoT products.

The program creates a standardized way to demonstrate that your smart devices meet robust security requirements.

When a consumer sees the Cyber Trust Mark on your product, they will immediately understand that your device has undergone rigorous security testing and meets the cybersecurity standards established by trusted authorities.

According to the FCC website, the program aims to build consumer confidence in IoT products while raising the security bar across the industry.

With major retailers already pledging to prioritize products bearing the Mark, getting certified early could give your products a valuable edge on store shelves.

Which devices will need the Cyber Trust Mark?

If your product connects to the internet and lives in a consumer’s home, you will need the Cyber Trust Mark.

A few device types:

• Smart home security cameras
• Connected kitchen appliances
• Smart speakers and displays
• Smartwatches and fitness trackers
• Smart TVs and streaming devices
• Connected thermostats and environmental controls
• Smart lighting systems
• Robot vacuum cleaners
• GPS trackers

Which security requirements will your products need to meet?

While the final requirements are still being refined, we know the program will build on the cybersecurity framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Your products will need to demonstrate security across their entire lifecycle, including:

• Secure by design: Strong authentication, encrypted communications, and minimal attack surfaces.
• Secure by default: Products must ship with secure settings enabled.
• Data protection: Clear controls over what data is collected and how it’s protected.
• Software updates: Regular security patches and updates must be available.
• Clear documentation: Consumers must receive understandable security information.

If you are already following security best practices, you may be closer to compliance than you think. And if you are starting your security journey, now is the perfect time to build these requirements into your product roadmap.

When will the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark affect your business?

The clock is ticking. Smart manufacturers are already preparing.

Here’s why you should not wait:

• Early adopter advantage: Being among the first certified products gives you a competitive edge.
• Development cycles: Building security into new products is easier than retrofitting existing ones.
• Market positioning: Start using your security commitment in marketing now to build consumer trust.
• Supply chain readiness: Your component suppliers may need time to adapt to new requirements.

Remember that major retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg, have already committed to preferential placement for certified products.

If your competitors get certified before you do, you might lose valuable shelf space and online visibility.

How can the Cyber Trust Mark boost your sales and brand value?

Let’s talk about the bottom line. Will investing in cybersecurity certification actually pay off?

Most consumers are concerned about the security of their connected devices. And many are even ready to pay more for products with verified security features.

The Cyber Trust Mark gives you:

• Price premium potential: Security-certified products often command higher prices.
• Reduced returns: Fewer security issues mean fewer customer complaints and returns.
• Marketing advantage: Clear differentiation from competitors still catching up on security.
• Brand protection: Reduced risk of security incidents that could damage your reputation.

Think of the Cyber Trust Mark as a compliance exercise and a business opportunity that aligns perfectly with growing consumer demands for greater security and privacy.

What about future regulations?

Getting certified now is not just about today’s market. It’s about preparing for tomorrow’s requirements. As IoT security concerns grow, regulatory frameworks are evolving worldwide.

The Cyber Trust Mark puts you ahead of this curve, positioning your products to meet or exceed likely future mandates.

By implementing these security standards proactively, you are not just avoiding potential compliance headaches such as dealing with security incidents or failing to meet future regulatory requirements.

You are building a foundation for sustainable product development that will serve your business well regardless of how regulations evolve.

Why choose Softweb Solutions and /IOTCONNECT for your Cyber Trust Mark journey?

Getting your products certified might seem daunting. But you don’t have to do it alone. That’s where we come in.

At Softweb Solutions, we understand the challenges you face as an IoT manufacturer.

Security requirements can be complex, testing processes can be time-consuming, and product development timelines are always tight.

In collaboration with Avnet, we have developed /IOTCONNECT, the platform to connect your products to the cloud in minutes.

We can help OEMs just like you navigate certification requirements while improving your products along the way.

For instance, we can assist in implementing secure device registration and strong authentication protocols, push security patches seamlessly to deployed devices, and ensure all data moving between devices, cloud services, and applications is automatically encrypted.

We don’t just help you tick boxes. We help you build better, more secure devices that your customers will love.

How does /IOTCONNECT make certification easier?

Our /IOTCONNECT platform was built from the ground up with security in mind, which means many of the Cyber Trust Mark requirements are already addressed within our solution:

• Built-in authentication: Our secure device registration and strong authentication protocols keep your devices protected from day one.
• Automatic updates: Push security patches seamlessly to deployed devices.
• Encrypted communications: All data moving between devices, cloud services, and applications is automatically encrypted.
• Continuous monitoring: Identify and respond to potential security issues before they affect your customers.
• Simplified compliance: Our dashboard shows your certification readiness status and highlights areas needing attention.

You can leverage these security features without building everything from scratch.

/IOTCONNECT can integrate your existing products and systems, saving you valuable development time and resources.

What real results can you see?

Let suppose you are a leading smart home device manufacturer. You face a daunting 18-month security development roadmap to meet emerging standards.

By implementing /IOTCONNECT, you can:

• Cut development time
• Cut your time-to-market
• Reduce security-related engineering costs
• Use security certification as a key differentiator in marketing

Meeting regulatory requirements in multiple countries is challenging. We make it easier.

/IOTCONNECT can help you create a unified security approach that satisfies requirements in the U.S. and European markets.

What should you do right now to prepare?

The Cyber Trust Mark program is coming, and preparation starts now. Here are your next steps:

• Schedule a free consultation: Let our experts evaluate your products and processes against expected requirements.
• Get a custom roadmap: We will create a tailored plan to address any gaps in your security posture.
• Explore /IOTCONNECT: See how our platform can accelerate your path to certification.
• Start small: Begin with a pilot project to demonstrate the value and build internal support.
• Train your team: We will help your developers understand security best practices.

Remember, building security into your products is not just about meeting requirements. It’s about delivering value to your customers and protecting your brand.

The Cyber Trust Mark provides a framework and a recognizable symbol to communicate that value to consumers.

Are you ready to lead in IoT security?

As the IoT landscape evolves, security transforms from a technical consideration to a core brand value. The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark represents an opportunity to position your products at the forefront of this change.

The manufacturers who embrace this program early won’t just earn a label. They will gain customer trust, market advantage, and a reputation for quality that extends far beyond the security features.

At Softweb Solutions, we are ready to help you navigate this journey. Our /IOTCONNECT platform and security expertise can transform the certification challenge into an opportunity for innovation and growth.

Ready to get started? Visit /IOTCONNECT to learn more about our comprehensive IoT security solutions or explore our help documentation for detailed technical information.

Better yet, contact us today for a personalized consultation about your Cyber Trust Mark readiness.

You can become a brand your customers trust.