Alright, maties, do gather close, we’ve got news hot off the press to discuss, courtesy of our chum, Andrew Martin, over the pond. Ready to natter about cybersecurity, are we? Brilliant, let’s crack on, then!
Picture this: you pop into your local Currys for a new telly, or perhaps that fancy kettle you’ve had your eye on, only now there’s an extra label on the packaging. Not the usual “energy-efficient” or “recyclable” gubbins, rather, this one proudly proclaims “cyber secure.” Sounds a bit James Bond, doesn’t it?
Well, that’s exactly what’s happening over in the States. The US government, always keen to keep up with the technology crowd, has decided it’s high time we consumers knew whether the gadgets we pick up are safe from all those pesky hackers. They’ve coined this new label as the “US Cyber Trust Mark.” Now, isn’t that a mouthful?
Imagine buying your Nan a new iPad, only now you can tell her it’s as secure from hacking as it is from her accidentally deleting all her apps, bless her. That’s exactly what this US Cyber Trust Mark coveys.
Turns out, this is ‘coming soon to a store near you’ kind of thing. Anne Neuberger, some muckamuck with a title as long as your arm, reckons we’ll see these “cyber-safe” products gracing our shelves by 2025. So, not quite something to pop on the Christmas list just yet, eh?
Now, if you’re like me, you might be saying, “Hang on, we’ve seen this sort of thing before, haven’t we?” And, you’re not wrong there. This Cyber Trust Mark malarkey feels a bit familiar, and our friend Anne agrees. She says it’s rather like the Energy Star program, which we’ve all come to know and love on everything from fridges to washing machines.
So, what say you? Are we ready to embrace these cyber-safe appliances in our homes? Or will it be just another label lost in a sea of certification badges? One thing’s for sure though. Our gizmos are becoming more than just a way to boil a pot or watch a telly, now they’re safe havens in this changing, digital landscape. An interesting turn of event, it is, wouldn’t you say so? Especially for us chaps, always with an eye on healthcare and cybersecurity matters. As always, stay tuned, grab a cuppa, and let’s chat about it.
by Parker Bytes
