Markey, Lieu Introduce IoT Cyber Bill to Promote Products Based on Best Practices

An advisory committee would create new data security standards for certifying IoT devices, under legislation proposed Friday by Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif. The voluntary program would identify and promote IoT products that meet the committee's standards and best practices. The Cyber Shield Act "will help ensure consumers can reliably identify more secure products and rewards manufacturers that adopt the best cybersecurity practices," Markey said in a statement. Government and tech companies need to "build more transparency around the security of our favorite devices," Lieu's statement said. The Massachusetts Tech Leadership Council endorsed the legislation for giving tech companies room to innovate while giving policymakers tools to protect consumers, said CEO Tom Hopcroft. “Our goal should be establishing IoT device best practices that are understood by both consumers and manufacturers,” said a statement from Shane Tews, visiting fellow, American Enterprise Institute. The goal of the voluntary program is developing a type of recognizable seal of approval, similar to the Energy Star designation for appliances, to help consumers identify manufacturers that comply with the voluntary cyber and data practices, Tews said. The Center for Democracy & Technology supported the bill in a statement urging Congress to take up the measure.