Smart Appliances should have Cybersecurity Rating

Smart Appliances should have Cybersecurity Rating

Televisions, fridges and other internet-connected home appliances should carry a security rating, a police chief suggested.

It is glaringly apparent that the age of internet-connected things is upon us and, as one police chief suggests, we should be looking for ways to market the internet of things in a safe and secure way.

Durham chief constable Mike Barton said customers of for internet-ready equipment should be given the at-a-glance information in the same way fridges, freezers, TVs and other appliances have to display their energy efficiency ratings before sale.

Barton, the national policing lead fore crime operations, proposed the idea as part of efforts to protect households from fraudsters and hackers in the era of the digital age. He is concerned that “dumb” devices could be put online and be interconnected for automation and smart appliance activities.

The proposal comes just as analysts forecast by 2020 there will be as many as 21 billion connected devices around the world. It is only fitting that the surge in devices will create a string of security concerns as well.

Earlier this year it was, not-surprisingly, reported that smartphones, watches, televisions and fitness trackers could be targeted by cyber criminals seeking to hold users information for ransom. There have even been reports that baby monitors, children’s toys and pacemakers are targets of hacking.

While Barton suggests ratings for these smart appliances, in reality it is actually nearly impossible to do. Even if the appliance earns an A+ rating at the point of sale, over time the device will become vulnerable as hackers have more time to root around for vulnerably. The device also becomes less secure if the buyer chooses not to regularly update the software.

 “We are in the foothills of the internet of things,” Barton said. “It is easier now to create something like this than it will be in 10 years’ time when there would be tens of millions of products.

“I don’t want to look back and be accused of not actually waving a flag to say we should be doing more.”

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.