On March 11, 2019, a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Sen. Mark Warner and Sen. Cory Gardner introduced the Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019. The Act seeks “[t]o leverage Federal Government procurement power to encourage increased cybersecurity for Internet of Things devices.” In other words, this bill aims to shore up … Continue Reading
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) is seeking comments on its draft project on securing sensor networks for the Internet of Things (“IoT”). Organizations and individuals concerned with the security of IoT sensor networks are invited to comment on the draft through March 18, 2019. Sensor networks are integral parts of many modern … Continue Reading
Updated (5/3/2018) On April 17, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) broke new ground in the agency’s role in national security policy by voting unanimously to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking captioned “Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs” (the “NPRM”). The deadline for filing comments is June 1, … Continue Reading
In its latest installment of the Transformers series, The Washington Post hosted key industry and thought leaders to discuss the current and future implications of artificial intelligence (“AI”). A number of themes emerged from the two-hour discussion. First, all panelists agreed that AI will be a useful tool to amplify and extend human skills, but … Continue Reading
The “Internet of Things” (IoT)—the network of consumer devices connected to the Internet through digital connections and sensors—has dramatically grown over the past five years. A McKinsey analysis estimated that the potential annual economic impact of IoT in 2025 could be between $4 trillion and $11 trillion, with value accruing in manufacturing, urban spaces, human … Continue Reading
Two hundred billion IoT devices could be in use by 2020, according to one estimate cited in the World Economic Forum’s recent report, Mitigating Risk in the Innovation Economy. This rapid integration of the digital world and the physical world presents unprecedented opportunities for businesses in a wide array of industries. But it also creates … Continue Reading
Inflection Point for IoT In a relatively short amount of time, the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its applications— from smart cars to the myriad of interconnected sensors in the General Service Administration building reminiscent of HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey— has rapidly proliferated, providing significant opportunities and benefits. However, … Continue Reading
The US Information Security and Privacy Board (ISPAB) voiced concerns over potential harms resulting from a lack of controlled management of cybersecurity in wireless medical devices in response to the FDA’s draft guidance, “Content of Premarket Submissions for Management of Cybersecurity in Medical Devices.” ISPAB operates under the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in … Continue Reading
On March 29, the American Chamber of Commerce in China (“AmCham China”) released its 15th annual Business Climate Survey. This year, AmCham China polled 325 of its members, most of which are U.S. companies operating in China. According to AmCham China’s Chairman, this year’s results reflect “expectations for growth” tempered with “a more conservative business … Continue Reading
In his State of the Union message on Tuesday, President Obama announced that he had signed an Executive Order addressing the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure. President Obama emphasized that in the face of threats to corporate secrets, the power grid, and financial institutions, among others, “We cannot look back years from now and wonder why … Continue Reading
In an effort to stem the tide of intellectual property theft from U.S. companies, on January 14, 2013, President Obama signed H.R. 6029, the Foreign and Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act of 2012. The Act increases the penalties for trade secret theft under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 for crimes that the perpetrator knows … Continue Reading
The Federal Communications Commission yesterday released a Smartphone Security Checker, a tool designed to help consumers secure their smartphones against mobile security threats. The tool provides consumers with tips that are customized for four different mobile operating systems. Many of tips focus on security-related topics. For instance, the tool recommends that consumers set a password … Continue Reading
