IoT Security Bill Nears Passage as New Consortium Tackles Open 5G

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) hopes to have the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act – which would require IoT devices purchased by the government to include basic security features – “hotlined” and passed by the Senate by unanimous consent. The House recently passed its version of the bill, which was introduced in March 2019 by Representatives Will Hurd (R-TX) and Robin Kelly (D-IL). The law would require, at minimum, that devices be patchable and avoid hard-coded passwords.

Warner also announced the Open Generation Consortium, which will test how issues like security will be affected by plans to diversify and integrate various components of 5G networks and move away from comprehensive kit suppliers like Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. European telecom firms Nokia and Ericsson are among the consortium’s founding members.