This week, the Online Trust Alliance (OTA) announced its release of an IoT draft framework in a move toward greater security, privacy and sustainability standards in the development of IoT connected devices.
The framework is intended to guide IoT manufacturers and retailers in positioning connected devices for better long-term performance, especially as devices and software age.
In their article, “Internet of Things device security degrades over time,” the folks at ZDNet include a very poignant quote from OTA’s Executive Director and President, Craig Spiezle: “The rapid growth of the Internet of Things now includes thousands of connected products, yet it’s shocking how little planning there has been for these devices becoming part of everyday life.”
The Timing is Right
As we have witnessed multiple security breaches play out across the retail, banking, healthcare and entertainment industries, this news of security improvements for smart devices could not have arrived at a better time.
With the already-vulnerable nature of smart devices, which communicate millions of pieces of personal data, the IoT industry and its consumers need to feel safeguarded as these devices pervade throughout more and more of our daily activities.
The new framework is poised to set the standards for privacy, security, and sustainability as devices become older, outdated, or are passed along to new owners.
In the aforementioned ZDNet article, the author questions what will happen when someone with a smart thermostat sells his or her home…does the new owner now have access to the personal information of the previous owner via the thermostat?
Considering the pace of IoT development, these standards are just what we need to make smart devices even smarter.