Administrative Framework Takes Shape
On December 4, 2024, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau announced the selection of UL LLC (UL Solutions) to serve in dual roles as both the Lead Administrator and a Cybersecurity Label Administrator (CLA) for the IoT Program. This appointment represents a crucial step in establishing the program’s operational framework.
The momentum continued with a second announcement on December 11, 2024, when the Bureau named ten additional organizations CLAs, expanding the program’s administrative capacity. These selections establish the foundational structure for implementing the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark certification process.
Program Structure and Requirements
The IoT Program represents a novel approach to cybersecurity certification in the United States. Under this framework, the appointed administrators will be responsible for:
- Evaluating IoT devices against established security criteria
- Issuing the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark to qualifying products
- Monitoring ongoing compliance with program standards
- Maintaining certification records and public databases
Implementation Challenges
Despite these advances, significant work remains before the program becomes fully operational. The newly appointed administrators must align their operations with the FCC’s established requirements, developed over the past year. These requirements include:
- Establishing testing and certification protocols
- Developing assessment methodologies
- Creating reporting and monitoring systems
- Implementing quality control measures
Industry Impact
The implementation of the IoT Program will have far-reaching effects across the technology sector. Manufacturers of IoT devices will need to adapt their design and production processes to meet the certification requirements if they wish to obtain the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.
While the program has achieved these important milestones, several critical steps remain before full implementation:
- Finalizing technical standards and testing protocols
- Establishing appeals and dispute resolution processes
- Creating public awareness and education campaigns
- Developing compliance monitoring systems
The timing of these next steps may be influenced by the upcoming leadership transition at the FCC, though the agency has indicated its commitment to maintaining program momentum.
Program Timeline
The FCC has established several key dates for program implementation:
- December 2024: Administrator selections completed
- Early 2025: Expected finalization of technical standards
- Mid-2025: Anticipated start of certification processes
Regulatory Context
The IoT Program represents a significant shift in the U.S. approach to IoT device security, moving from voluntary standards to a more structured certification framework. This change aligns with growing global concerns about IoT security and similar initiatives in other jurisdictions.
About the IoT Cybersecurity Labeling Program
The program is designed to provide consumers with clear information about the security features of IoT devices through the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark certification. This initiative represents part of a broader federal strategy to enhance cybersecurity in consumer technologies.
