Australian Government Releases IoT Security Code of Practice To Enhance Cybersecurity.
Government Releases IoT Security Code of Practice – The Australian government has released a voluntary Code of Practice aimed at improving security standards for Internet of Things (IoT) devices in Australia.
The code provides guidelines for manufacturers, developers, and service providers to implement basic cybersecurity measures, protecting Australians from vulnerabilities increasingly present in IoT technology.
For security electronics people, these recommendations should be considered a baseline. You’d be trying to overreach them in layers – you’d also be looking at networks from end to end. That’s more complex that it sounds, given the complexity of modern network communications.
IoT includes CCTV, security and networking devices, along with consumer devices like TVs and connected appliances, providing convenience, efficiency, and productivity benefits. However, many IoT devices prioritise ease of installation and operation over security, creating vulnerabilities to cyber threats.
The code was developed by the Department of Home Affairs in partnership with the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) following extensive consultation with industry and the public. It is aligned with international best practices, including those established by the United Kingdom, to encourage global consistency.
It consists of 13 key cybersecurity principles, with priority recommended for 3 critical areas: eliminating weak default passwords, establishing clear vulnerability disclosure processes, and securely updating software.
Compliance is voluntary, and organisations can choose to implement the entire code or specific principles relevant to their products and services. Partial compliance should be clearly communicated to users. The government plans to regularly review the code to maintain its effectiveness in response to emerging threats.
You can learn more about IoT security here or read more SEN news here.
Key Principles of the IoT Code of Practice:
- No default or weak passwords
- Vulnerability disclosure policies
- Secure and timely software updates
- Secure storage of credentials
- Protection of personal data
- Minimised attack surfaces
- Secure communication methods
- Software integrity through secure boot mechanisms
- Easy deletion of personal data
- Simplified installation and maintenance
- Robust validation of input data.
“Australian Government Releases IoT Security Code of Practice To Enhance Cybersecurity.”
