When choosing a smart home device, software support is just as important as resolution, energy consumption, or mobile app ratings. Internet-connected cameras, doorbells, televisions, baby monitors, thermostats, and home appliances may access your home network, record usage habits, and process sensitive data such as audio or video. Although a device may remain in use for years, the manufacturer’s decision to end updates after a short period can make otherwise functional hardware a security risk.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission established the voluntary U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program for consumer Internet of Things products. The mark is intended to appear on eligible product packaging alongside a QR code that directs consumers to security information. NIST’s criteria for consumer IoT products define key areas such as device identification, secure configuration, data protection, software updates, cybersecurity state awareness, and product security documentation.
A security label can make a purchasing decision easier, but it does not guarantee that the product will never be compromised. You should also check which model and hardware version the label applies to, when it was issued, and whether the information remains current.
What information should you look for in the QR code?
Start with the support period. Statements such as “regular updates” or “supported for the life of the product” are not sufficient on their own. The date until which security updates will be provided should be stated clearly. Different model years or regional versions within the same product family may have different support schedules, so compare the exact model code on the box with the manufacturer’s website.
Second, find out how updates are delivered. Are automatic updates enabled by default, can users disable them, and can the device safely resume operation after a failed update? Updating the phone app does not mean that the camera’s or thermostat’s own software has been updated.
The third area is passwords and authentication. Prefer devices that come with a unique initial password or require a new password to be created during initial setup. A shared factory password published online poses a risk. Multi-factor authentication for the cloud account provides additional protection if the password is compromised.
Fourth, find the vulnerability disclosure policy. The manufacturer should publish a clear contact channel, response process, and remediation method for researchers and users. A support page that has not been updated for years or company contact details that cannot be found are warning signs about the product’s long-term maintenance.
What the label does not cover
A cybersecurity label may not cover every aspect of data privacy. A television that uses a secure connection may still collect viewing habits to build an advertising profile. Read the privacy policy to learn why microphone, camera, location, contact list, and usage analytics data are processed. Prefer products that let you distinguish essential service data from optional advertising or analytics data.
The label usually applies to specific product components and evaluation conditions. A third-party app added later, an incompatible gateway, or a user-installed add-on may not provide the same assurance. Physical safety, electrical safety, child safety, and the manufacturer’s financial sustainability should also be assessed separately.
Do not overlook the risk of fraudulent redirection when scanning a QR code. Someone may have placed another sticker over the label in the store. Verify that the domain that opens is the official address of the program or manufacturer. If the page asks for a password, payment information, or an app installation, stop; a security information page should not require any of these.
A quick test before buying
Search online for the product’s exact model number together with terms such as vulnerability, end of support, and recall. Compare the manufacturer’s security advisories with records from independent national cybersecurity agencies. Check when the mobile app was last updated; do not rely solely on its star rating. Ask whether the device’s basic functions will continue to work over the local network or through physical controls if the cloud service shuts down.
For critical devices such as cameras and door locks, look for separate accounts for family members and service personnel. Using a shared administrator password makes it difficult to revoke access when someone leaves. Check for features that let you view active sessions, sign out remotely, and receive notifications of new sign-ins.
Secure setup after bringing it home
Before connecting the device, update your router and change its administrator password. If possible, use a separate guest or IoT network for IoT devices. This separation does not provide perfect protection, but it can make it harder for a compromised device to access a personal computer, phone, or network storage directly.
During initial setup, create unique passwords for the device and cloud account, enable multi-factor authentication, and check automatic security update settings. Disable remote access, the microphone, personalized advertising, and usage analytics if you do not need them. If the installer has a temporary account, remove it once the work is complete.
Every three months, review connected users, the device’s software version, and the support end date. When selling or giving away the device, follow the manufacturer’s official transfer and reset procedures; do not assume that removing it from the app will necessarily erase the data stored on the device. When security support ends, restrict internet access if local use remains possible; otherwise, prepare a replacement plan.
The right approach is to use the label not as a final verdict, but as a verifiable starting point. Considering a clear support date, secure default settings, control over data, and the manufacturer’s track record together makes it easier to choose a long-lasting smart device.
Research sources
- FCC, U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program: https://www.fcc.gov/cybertrustmark
- NIST, cybersecurity criteria for consumer IoT products: https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/ir/8425/final
- NIST, recommended criteria for consumer IoT labeling programs: https://www.nist.gov/itl/executive-order-improving-nations-cybersecurity/cybersecurity-labeling-consumers-internet-things-iot-products