ETSI guidelines for consumer IoT cybersecurity

European standards organisation ETSI has released guidelines to improve the cybersecurity of connected consumer devices in the Internet of Things (IoT).

The ETSI EN 303 645 V3.1.3 (2024-09) document outlines high-level security provisions for consumer IoT devices, a key issue for both manufacturers and consumers.

The guidelines are designed to support the development and manufacturing of IoT devices, providing a flexible framework to innovate while ensuring a baseline level of security. The document emphasizes outcome-focused provisions, steering clear of overly prescriptive measures and allows organisations to tailor security for specific products.

“Consumers are increasingly dependent on connected devices for secure transactions, making it crucial for manufacturers to earn that trust – prioritizing security by design”, said Jan Ellsberger, Director General ETSI.

“These guidelines aim to address the most significant vulnerabilities and I am confident that they help create a safer IoT ecosystem, so long as we remain vigilant – knowing full well that this work is never ‘done’.”

Key features of the document include:

• Baseline Provisions: Establishing fundamental security requirements applicable to all consumer IoT devices.
• Guidance for Implementation: Providing organizations with clear examples and explanatory text on how to apply the provisions.
• Compliance with GDPR: Ensuring that IoT devices processing personal data align with General Data Protection Regulation standards.
• Futureproofing: Anticipating that future revisions will transition current recommendations into mandatory provisions.

The document covers consumer IoT devices from smart home assistants, connected appliances to health trackers. It also considers the unique resource constraints that these devices may face, such as limited processing power and energy supply.

While these guidelines will significantly enhance security measures for consumer IoT devices, they are not a panacea for all cybersecurity challenges, and ETSI says it will continue to update the guidelines.