Press Releases

Google, T-Mobile, Silicon Labs among those to partner with ioXt Alliance to secure IoT devices

August 24, 2020

Posted by: Anasia D'mello

Brad Ree of ioXt Alliance

The ioXt Alliance, which describes itself as the global standard for IoT Security, announced today that major technology companies and manufacturers including Google, T-Mobile, Silicon Labs, have certified a wide range of devices through the ioXt Alliance Certification Program.

The devices certified secure by the ioXt Alliance include cell phones, smart home, lighting controls, IoT Bluetooth, smart retail, portable medical, pet trackers, routers and automotive technology.

The ioXt Alliance is backed by the names in tech and is the only organisation positioned to handle the rapidly increasing demand for IoT device certifications that meet security requirements across every product category. With major manufacturers and tech disruptors on their board, membership growing and four Authorised Labs as exclusive test providers, the ioXt Alliance continues to pave the way in defining industry-led global security standards that can be tested at scale.

“While consumers have long called for better device security and privacy protections, we understand that retailers are now putting tremendous pressure on consumer tech to ensure the IoT products they put on their shelves are secure,” says Brad Ree, CTO of the ioXt Alliance. “With significant revenue on the line, companies are recognising the need to provide transparency and assurance to those using or selling their products. We are proud to be the organisation that Google, T-Mobile and other big players in the industry are increasingly relying on to thoroughly test and certify products as secure, no matter the type of device.”

“Transparency about the security ‘ingredients’ in connected devices acts as a tide to raise all boats, helping users make better decisions and the world realise the potential of the Internet of Things,” comments Dave Kleidermacher, Google VP of Engineering, Android Security and Privacy. “The over 200 members of ioXt have built a comprehensive, scalable security compliance program to realise that vision.”

Focused on security, upgradability and transparency, the ioXt Certification Program evaluates a device against each of the eight ioXt pledge principles with clear guidelines for quantifying the appropriate level of security needed for a specific device within a product category. Evaluations against the ioXt Pledge are done via manufacturer attestation or through the ioXt Alliance Authorised Labs which include Bureau Veritas – 7layers, DEKRA and NCC Group.

Darren Kress

Each have a deep history in compliance and security testing expertise at a global scale, are well-versed in the definition of the ioXt Alliance security standards and provide the third-party validation of device test results that ensure all devices are cybersafe. Devices then receive the ioXt SmartCert after meeting or exceeding the requirements in its designated product category.

Darren Kress, senior director Telecom Security, adds, “The ioXt Alliance is bringing effective and appropriate IoT security enhancements to market while avoiding excessive cost and complexity. This structure will encourage the development of trustworthy IoT devices and services enhancing the security of T-Mobile’s Customers and the Wireless ecosystem.”

Devices certified by the ioXt Alliance include:

“IoT products are working their way into every aspect of our lives as consumers and in business which offers those with malicious intent a vector of which to prey and security is not optional,” adds Mike Dow, senior product manager of IoT Security at Silicon Labs and ioXt Alliance board member. “The ioXt Alliance Certification Program is not locked into ideas of the past and understands that every type of device needs its own security profile to define the right level of certification and certification can be effectively scaled.”

Comment on this article below or via Twitter @IoTGN