There is a new federal IoT law, H.R. 1668, the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020, that recently passed the House and Senate and was signed by the President on December 4. The bill had 26 co-sponsors, representing Democrats and Republicans almost equally, and enjoyed bipartisan support in an era that has not seen
Internet of Things
U.S. Chamber of Commerce and FICO Release Security Guidelines on Telework During COVID-19
By Linn Foster Freedman on
It is no secret that companies are experiencing an increase in security incidents following the transition from work in the office to work from home during the pandemic. There are a number of causes, including the difficulty of controlling the security of at-home technology equipment such as routers, printers, personal assistants and other IoT devices,…
Privacy Tip #249 – Use of Personal Assistants While Working from Home
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Internet of Things, Privacy Tips
I continue to be quite surprised at the lack of understanding that people have about personal assistants such as Alexa and Echo. It seems logical to me that when you yell out “Alexa, turn on the lights!” Alexa is using voice recognition technology to recognize your voice for the command and is processing that command…
Privacy Tip #219 – Holiday Shopping Tip for Internet-Connected Gifts
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Internet of Things, Privacy Tips
Holiday shopping is in full gear and everything seems to be an Internet of Things (IoT) device. It continues to amaze me how folks will buy IoT gadgets and plop them in their homes and have no idea that they include a speaker or camera, recording every move and word, or that they pose a…
Oregon’s New IoT Law
By Deborah George on
Posted in Internet of Things
Oregon became the latest state to require manufacturers of internet “connected devices” that make, sell or offer to sell the devices in the state to equip the device with “reasonable security features” according to Oregon House Bill 2395 amending ORS 646.607.
According to the law, “[R]easonable security features” means methods to protect a…
Is Your Bed Bugged? Data-Collecting Mattresses and Sleep Apps May Give You Nightmares
By Jean Tomasco on
When you next lie down to sleep, the bed may not your secrets keep. So-called “smart” beds, mattress pads, sleep apps, and fitness trackers with sleep options are collecting data on those who use them and sending that personal information back to manufacturers. The data gathered can include biometric information (i.e., heart rate, respiration), sleep…
Privacy Tip #190 – Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Internet of Things, Privacy Tips
These days, pretty much everyone is aware of potential security incidents and the risks involved with Internet of Things (IoT) devices because security was not built into the device during the manufacturing process, but there is less awareness of the risks associated with the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).
Just like IoT devices, such as…
Phishing Continues to Be Seen as Biggest Cybersecurity Threat to Companies
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Cybersecurity, Internet of Things
According to a recent survey of cybersecurity professionals by AT&T Cybersecurity entitled “Confidence: the perception and reality of cybersecurity threats,” phishing and cloud security threats are keeping them up at night.
The survey polled 733 cybersecurity professionals attending the RSA conference and asked the respondents about what they perceive to be the biggest internal and…
Privacy Tip #188 – Home Security Camera Vulnerabilities
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Internet of Things, Privacy Tips
I attended a meeting of cybersecurity professionals recently and overheard several of them talking about their new security cameras and how great it is to see everyone who comes up the driveway and to the front door, and monitors the family members and pets in the home. One mentioned how his wife doesn’t approve of…
My Own Internet of Things (IoT) Nightmare (Almost) – The Smart Light Bulbs Took Over My House!
By Deborah George on
Posted in Internet of Things
So this week’s blog article takes a page from my very own “smart” home devices. Monday morning at about 3:42 a.m. our entire household woke up because every “smart” lightbulb in the house came on at the same time! It was a bit distressing and once we got up and shut off all the lights,…