In the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), billions of devices are connected – from home cameras and smart appliances to industrial sensors, medical equipment, urban systems, and the more than 367 million vehicles we will have by 2027 with connectivity tools. This ubiquity makes the cybersecurity of these devices a transversal and critical factor for the preservation of society, businesses and families. Vulnerabilities in IoT devices can result in privacy breaches, financial losses and even physical risks, showing that protecting this equipment is not just a technical issue, but a social and economic imperative.

Ensuring the security of IoT devices requires a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovation, best practices and trust mechanisms. In this context, voluntary conformity assessment programs have emerged as a strategic tool to complement government regulations. Through voluntary certification based on international cybersecurity standards, manufacturers can demonstrate that their products meet robust security requirements, even before legal obligations. A pioneering example is the Brazilian Cybersecurity Conformity Assessment program, which proposes gradual levels of certification for IoT devices according to criteria aligned with global standards. Initiatives like this make it possible to independently certify the security features of equipment such as routers, sensors and connected toys, giving consumers and the market greater confidence.

Meanwhile, regulatory challenges and opportunities are emerging internationally. The European Union, for example, is moving ahead with the Cyber Resilience Act, which will soon require mandatory cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements, including IoT. This regulatory movement highlights the importance of having competent and accredited certification bodies to assess compliance with these new criteria. On the other hand, not all markets have established rules yet, which makes voluntary schemes and international cooperation even more relevant. Cutting-edge experiences, such as Singapore’s cybersecurity labeling scheme – the first to award seals of different levels to domestic IoT devices – illustrate how innovation can be applied globally to raise the security level of connected devices.

In the face of rapid technological evolution, continuous innovation in cybersecurity is essential. This includes everything from developing more effective testing methodologies to constantly updating certification criteria as new threats emerge. Conformity assessment, combined with international accreditation, plays a crucial role in bringing credibility and recognition to these efforts, harmonizing them across countries and sectors. In addition to protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data, strengthening IoT security through such voluntary programs and emerging regulatory frameworks generates cross-cutting benefits: it promotes consumer confidence, safeguards business continuity in the face of digital attacks and contributes to the stability and well-being of the connected society. In short, the cybersecurity of IoT devices is consolidating itself as an indispensable foundation of the digital age, requiring collaboration between industry, governments and conformity assessment bodies to build a safer future for all.