Widespread news on security camera breaches to unexpected activations of smart stoves have highlighted significant surrounding smart home security. 2023 alone saw IoT malware attacks increase by a staggering 400% within the short span of one year. As the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) continues to expand its scope—now including water management systems and EV supply equipment in the latest Matter 1.3—the need for robust cybersecurity measures is becoming increasingly critical. CSA's efforts to establish a unified global cybersecurity standard are therefore critical in guaranteeing consumer trust and the projected growth towards 1.1 billion shipments by 2027.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) released the IoT (Internet of Things) Device Security Specification 1.0 on March 18 2024, accompanied by a comprehensive certification program and the Product Security Verified Mark. Designed as a unified cybersecurity standard, the program offers manufacturers a streamlined pathway to compliance with multiple international regulations and standards.
The IoT Device Security Specification 1.0 requires IoT device manufacturers to meet rigorous security measures and provide design justifications to Authorized Test Laboratories (ATLs) for security evaluation purposes:
Specification requirements include:
Security has historically been an afterthought in IoT product design. The IoT Device Security Specification 1.0 aims to change that by making security a core focus. Device manufacturers who adhere to the specification can carry the CSA’s Product Security Verified (PSV) Mark, signaling to customers that their devices are equipped with robust safeguards against malicious hacking attempts and other security intrusions.
To create a comprehensive standard, the Product Security Working Group consolidated requirements from major IoT cybersecurity baselines across the United States, Singapore, and Europe. This included the US Cyber Trust Mark introduced in July 2023 that mandated minimum security standards for common IoT and smart home devices. Additionally, CSA signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore on 19 March 2024 to ensure mutual recognition of cybersecurity labels for consumer IoT devices. Also accompanying the certification program’s development are 200 member companies, who contributed their technologies, expertise, and innovations to bring this initiative to life.
Beyond compliance, IoT device design requires careful selection of the right IoT protocol to meet specific needs for power consumption, device sustainability, and data traffic management. Bluetooth, Matter, Thread, Wi-Fi, and Zigbee each offer a distinct combination of features, impacting power efficiency, latency, scalability, and cost.
Additionally, research indicates that security is becoming a top priority for consumers, with 64% considering it a key factor when purchasing smartphones and connected devices, and 26% ranking it among their top three criteria. With an estimated 57% of IoT devices currently vulnerable to medium or high-level attacks, it is crucial for governments and private organizations to recognize the potential security risks posed by compromised devices.
Be present in the interconnected world modern IoT testing solutions and services that guarantee full customer satisfaction and device interoperability. Align with CSA’s latest open-source standards and achieve Matter certification today.