IoT Security Ratings: Survey Explores Cybersecurity Labeling System
More countries around the world are considering the development of labeling systems for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and a new survey reveals consumers welcome the idea of having insights into the relative cybersecurity of the devices they buy.
Smart appliances bring comfort and convenience to our day-to-day lives, but they can also create new complications and risks for home security. As more consumers use devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), the opportunity for cyberattacks increases.
Survey About IoT Cybersecurity Ratings
BlackBerry recently conducted a survey of 1,088 U.S. consumers, revealing concerns over the security of Internet-connected devices. More than half (56%) of respondents say they’re worried about the security of their smart home devices — such as thermostats, doorbells, and refrigerators — being hacked. Two in three (68%) respondents say security concerns prevent them from connecting to Internet-enabled devices.
Our survey results also reveal four in five respondents believe the rollout of a cybersecurity labeling system would make them feel safer and more informed when using Internet-connected devices, and two-thirds (64%) would be prepared to pay more for products with higher rankings.
Connected Devices and Cybersecurity Concerns
Devices such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, smart thermostats, and wireless security cameras all come with promises of greater savings, safety, or convenience.
We’re making our homes “smarter,” but they’re not necessarily more cyber secure – and our survey results reveal buyers are worried about the devices they’re bringing into their lives:
Some of the most popular connected devices used by respondents include smart speakers (39%), doorbells (23%), and robotic vacuums (17%). Respondents think smart speakers (21%) are the safest from a cybersecurity standpoint, followed by doorbells (13%), and thermostats (10%).
Concerns extend from our homes to our roads. While EV charging stations require higher cybersecurity standards than connected household devices, 74% of respondents believe a labeling system should be extended to connected vehicles and EV charging stations.
Will A Cybersecurity Labeling System Matter?
Our survey results show most consumers believe a labeling system would make a difference:
82% say a labeling system would make them feel more informed when using connected devices
80% say a labeling system would make them feel safer when using connected devices
64% say they would be prepared to pay more for products with higher rankings
When it comes to technology that’s supposed to keep our families safe – like the cameras that monitor our children while they sleep – consumers may be willing to pay more for cyber-secure devices. A cybersecurity labeling system could allow consumers to make buying decisions that prioritize security across the board, including the software supply chain.
BlackBerry provides manufacturers and other organizations with software and services to screen products – including embedded software – for potential vulnerabilities. To learn more about our software composition analysis and security testing solution, visit BlackBerry.com.
The results in this report are from an online survey that was fielded on October 14, 2022. There were 1,088 respondents to the survey.
