Singapore Introduces Home Cyber Security Labelling

Singapore is one of the first countries to require labels to be applied on Wi-Fi routers, smart home hubs and other Internet of Things (IoT) consumer devices in a bid to educate users and strengthen domestic cyber security.

This label will be applied to Wi-Fi routers and smart home hubs, for starters, as part of Singapore's new Safer Cyberspace Masterplan designed to protect consumers and small firms. The labelling scheme will be extended to more IoT connected devices to help users, who are often unaware of security risks.

Known as the Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme, the labels will provide an indication of whether the devices have passed certain assessments and tests, such as whether they have unique default passwords, or if they are less vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, for example. Introduced by the Singapore Cyber Security Agency (CSA) , the scheme will first be applied to Wi-Fi routers and smart home hubs, and will be aligned to global security standards for consumer Internet of Things products.

Singapore's labelling scheme will follow the European Union's standard for IoT devices, which spells out the minimum standards for manufacturers, including having no default passwords and ensuring that there are regular software updates over the air without user supervision.

The immediate question, is how effective the scheme will be. With thousands of IoT product types in the market, it could be challenging to test them quickly to be ready for the market.

If it takes months to test a router, for example, its entrance in the Singapore market would be delayed. With fast-moving technologies, some products may even be outdated by the time they arrive on shelves. This may not be as simple as a “type approval” type of labelling, like a smartphone that is usually okay to use here if it follows international standards. That’s because of the sheer number of IoT product types out there.

Manufacturers will willingly submit to testing to enter the large European market, so it’s easier for Singapore to emulate things, instead of forcing them to test every single device again here. While the Singapore government is being proactive in asking for labels on smart devices, it really is down to consumers to make smart buying decisions. That means weighing the pros and cons carefully instead of going for the shiniest new gadget promising yet more convenience in their digital lives.

Consumers in Singapore are used to seeing energy labels on home appliances which, with their blue ticks, indicate how energy-efficient those devices are. Similar labels will soon be applied to Wi-Fi routers and smart home hubs, which will serve to tell buyers which ones have better cybersecurity provisions than others.

Straits Times:       TechGoondu:       Today Online:

You Might Also Read: 

Finland Has A Cyber Security Standard For IoT:

IoT – Pandemics, Opportunities And Massive Data Risks: