Skip to main content    

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

**Official websites use .gov**              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.            

**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**              A **lock** (  LockA locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.            

https://www.nist.gov/itl/executive-order-14028-improving-nations-cybersecurity/cybersecurity-labeling-consumers-0

            -  Topics  -  All Topics 
-  Advanced communications 
-  Artificial intelligence 
-  Bioscience 
-  Buildings and construction 
-  Chemistry 
-  Climate 
-  Cybersecurity 
-  Electronics 
-  Energy 
-  Environment 
-  Fire 
-  Forensic science 
-  Health 
-  Information technology 
-  Infrastructure 
-  Manufacturing 
-  Materials 
-  Mathematics and statistics 
-  Metrology 
-  Nanotechnology 
-  Neutron research 
-  Performance excellence 
-  Physics 
-  Public safety 
-  Resilience 
-  Standards 
-  Transportation 
 
            -  Publications 
            -  Labs & Major Programs  -  Laboratories    -  Communications Technology Laboratory 
  -  Engineering Laboratory 
  -  Information Technology Laboratory 
  -  Material Measurement Laboratory 
  -  Physical Measurement Laboratory 
-  User Facilities    -  NIST Center for Neutron Research 
  -  CNST NanoFab 
-  Research Test Beds 
-  Research Projects 
-  Tools & Instruments 
-  Major Programs    -  Baldrige Performance Excellence Program 
  -  CHIPS for America Initiative 
  -  Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 
  -  Office of Advanced Manufacturing 
  -  Special Programs Office 
  -  Technology Partnerships Office 
 
            -  Services & Resources  -  Standards and Measurements    -  Calibration Services 
  -  Laboratory Accreditation (NVLAP) 
  -  Quality System 
  -  Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) 
  -  Standards.gov 
  -  Time Services 
  -  Office of Weights and Measures 
-  Software 
-  Data    -  Chemistry WebBook 
  -  National Vulnerability Database 
  -  Physical Reference Data 
  -  Standard Reference Data (SRD) 
-  Storefront 
-  License & Patents 
-  Computer Security Resource Center (CSRC) 
-  NIST Research Library 
 
            -  News & Events  -  News 
-  Events 
-  Blogs 
-  Feature Stories 
-  Awards 
-  Video Gallery 
-  Image Gallery 
-  Media Contacts 
 
            -  About NIST  -  About Us    -  Leadership 
  -  Organization Structure 
  -  Budget & Planning 
-  Contact Us 
-  Visit 
-  Careers    -  Student programs 
-  Work with NIST 
-  History    -  NIST Digital Archives 
  -  NIST Museum 
  -  NIST and the Nobel 
-  Educational Resources 
 

Information Technology Laboratory

## Executive Order 14028,  Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity

-  Software Supply Chain Security Guidance  Expand or Collapse    -  Software Security in Supply Chains  Expand or Collapse      -  Guidance, Purpose, Scope, and Audience 
    -  EO-Critical Software and Security Measures for EO-Critical Software 
    -  Software Cybersecurity for Producers and Users  Expand or Collapse        -  Attesting to Conformity with Secure Software Development Practices 
    -  Software Verification 
    -  Evolving Standards, Tools, and Recommended Practices  Expand or Collapse        -  Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) 
      -  Enhanced Vendor Risk Assessments 
      -  Open Source Software Controls 
      -  Vulnerability Management 
    -  Additional Existing Industry Standards, Tools, and Recommended Practices 
    -  FAQs 
  -  Software Cybersecurity for Producers and Purchasers 
  -  Critical Software  Expand or Collapse      -  Critical Software Definition  Expand or Collapse        -  Introduction 
      -  Background & Approach 
      -  Definition & Explanatory Material 
      -  FAQs 
    -  Security Measures for Critical Software Use  Expand or Collapse        -  Introduction 
      -  Purpose & Scope 
      -  Security Measures for EO-Critical Software Use 
      -  FAQs 
  -  Software Verification  Expand or Collapse      -  Introduction 
    -  Background & Approach 
    -  Recommended Minimum Standard for Vendor or Developer Verification of Code 
    -  FAQs 
-  Cybersecurity Labeling for Consumers  Expand or Collapse    -  Consumer Cybersecurity Labeling Pilots: The Approach and Contributions 
  -  Workshops on Cybersecurity Labeling of Consumer Products 
  -  IoT Product Criteria 
  -  Consumer Software Criteria 
  -  News & Updates 
  -  Engage 
  -  Resources 
  -  FAQs 
-  Workshops & Call for Papers 
-  News & Updates 
-  Engage 
-  Fact Sheet 
-  Resources 
-  FAQs 
-  Cybersecurity @ NIST 

# Cybersecurity Labeling for Consumers: Internet of Things (IoT) Devices and Software

## Share

Facebook

Linkedin

Twitter

Email

The May 12, 2021, Presidential Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity (14028) directs NIST to initiate two labeling programs on cybersecurity capabilities of Internet-of-Things (IoT) consumer devices and software development practices. The agency also received several other directives to enhance the security of the software supply chain.

Section 4 of the order directs NIST to take into account existing consumer product labeling programs as it considers efforts to educate the public on the cybersecurity capabilities of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and software development practices. NIST also is to consider ways to incentivize manufacturers and developers to participate in these programs.

By February 6, 2022, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other agencies, NIST is required to identify:
                  - IoT cybersecurity criteria for a consumer labeling program  and
                  - Secure software development practices or criteria for a consumer software labeling program.

NIST reliedheavily on information provided by diverse stakeholders as it carried out these directives. 

NIST identified key elements of labeling programs in terms of minimum requirements and desirable attributes – rather than establishing its own programs. NIST specified desired outcomes, allowing providers and customers to choose best solutions for their devices and environments. One size may not fit all, and multiple solutions might be offered by label providers.

Labeling should:
                  - Encourage innovation in manufacturers’ consumer-oriented IoT and software security efforts, leaving room for changes in technologies and the security landscape.
                  - Be practical and not be burdensome to manufacturers and distributors.
                  - Factor in usability as a key consideration.
                  - Build on national and international experience.
                  - Allow for diversity of approaches and solutions across industries, verticals, and use cases – so long as they are deemed useful and effective for consumers.

In August, the agency released for public comment a white paper suggesting a draft set of potential baseline security criteria for IoT devices. On September 14-15, 2021, NIST hosted a virtual public workshop on these consumer education-oriented efforts. The workshop included facilitated panel discussions and presentations based on the preliminary feedback on the draft IoT criteria and the consumer software labeling position papers submitted to NIST and on preliminary feedback on potential IoT baseline security criteria. In October, NIST solicited public comments on draft criteria for consumer software cybersecurity and labeling. In November, NIST sought comments on draft criteria for consumer software cybersecurity and labeling. In December, taking public feedback into account, NIST released a further discussion paper, Consumer Cybersecurity Labeling for IoT Products: Discussion Draft on the Path Forward, which was discussed at a December 9, 2021, workshop. 

On February 4, 2022, NIST issued IoT cybersecurity criteria for a consumer labeling program and secure software development practices or criteria for a consumer software labeling program. Those are explained in a blog.

On May 10, 2022, NIST delivered to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA) a summary report about cybersecurity labeling of consumer IoT products and consumer software products. Reflecting consultations with the private sector and relevant agencies, the report reviews the pilot programs as well as opportunities for improvements which can be made going forward.

*Questions about NIST’s activities related to these efforts should be directed to labeling-eo [at] nist.gov (labeling-eo[at]nist[dot]gov).*

Information technologyCybersecurityInternet of Things (IoT)

### HEADQUARTERS

301-975-2000

Webmaster | Contact Us | Our Other Offices

TwitterFacebookLinkedInInstagramYouTubeGiphyRSS FeedMailing List

Feedback

            -  Site Privacy 
            -  Accessibility 
            -  Privacy Program 
            -  Copyrights 
            -  Vulnerability Disclosure 
            -  No Fear Act Policy 
            -  FOIA 
            -  Environmental Policy 
            -  Scientific Integrity 
            -  Information Quality Standards 
            -  Commerce.gov 
            -  Science.gov 
            -  USA.gov 
            -  Vote.gov