• Basic cyber security features to be built into products
• Consumers will get better information on how secure their devices are
• Consultation now launched ahead of potential legislation

Plans to ensure that millions of household items that are connected to the internet are better protected from cyber attacks have been launched by Digital Minister Margot James.

Options that the Government will be consulting on include a mandatory new labelling scheme. The label would tell consumers how secure their products such as ‘smart’ TVs, toys and appliances are. The move means that retailers will only be able to sell products with an Internet of Things (IoT) security label.

The Government will be consulting on options including a mandatory new labelling scheme. The label would tell consumers how secure their products such as ‘smart’ TVs, toys and appliances are. The move means retailers will only be able to sell items with an Internet of Things (IoT) security label.

The consultation focuses on mandating the top three security requirements that are set out in the current ‘Secure by Design’ code of practice. These include that:

• IoT device passwords must be unique and not resettable to any universal factory setting.
• Manufacturers of IoT products provide a public point of contact as part of a vulnerability disclosure policy.
• Manufacturers explicitly state the minimum length of time for which the device will receive security updates through an end of life policy.

Following the consultation, the security label will initially be launched as a voluntary scheme to help consumers identify products that have basic security features and those that don’t.

Digital Minister Margot James said:

Many consumer products that are connected to the internet are often found to be insecure, putting consumers privacy and security at risk. Our Code of Practice was the first step towards making sure that products have security features built in from the design stage and not bolted on as an afterthought.

These new proposals will help to improve the safety of Internet connected devices and is another milestone in our bid to be a global leader in online safety.

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Technical Director, Dr Ian Levy said:

Serious security problems in consumer IoT devices, such as pre-set unchangeable passwords, continue to be discovered and it’s unacceptable that these are not being fixed by manufacturers.

This innovative labelling scheme is good news for consumers, empowering them to make informed decisions about the technology they are bringing into their homes.

CEO of techUK Julian David said:

techUK welcomes the publication of the Government’s consultation on regulatory next steps for consumer IoT. This follows the Government’s voluntary Secure by Design Code of Practice for consumer IoT security launched last year, which techUK supported. The Code advocates for stronger cyber security measures to be built into smart products right from the design stage.

We are pleased that the security requirements outlined in the consultation are consistent with the Secure by Design Code of Practice and key industry standards that already exist for consumer IoT devices. This is an important first step in creating flexible and purposeful regulation that stamps out poor security practices, which techUK’s research shows can act as significant barriers on the take-up of consumer IoT devices.

The proposals set out have the potential to positively impact the security of devices made across the world and it is good to see the Government is working with international partners to ensure a consistent approach to IoT security. techUK looks forward to responding to this consultation on behalf of our members.

The consultation follows the government’s voluntary Secure by Design Code of Practice for consumer IoT security launched last year. The Code advocates for stronger cyber security measures to be built into smart products right from the design stage, and has already been backed by Centrica Hive, HP Inc Geo and more recently Panasonic.

The proposals come a day after Margot James held a roundtable on IoT security with global technology companies. As a result Amazon, Philips, Panasonic, Samsung, Miele, Yale and Legrand affirmed their commitment to taking steps to ensure that effective security solutions are being implemented across IoT products on the market.

The Government is working with international partners to ensure that the guidelines drive a consistent approach to IoT security. The proposals set out in the consultation have the potential to impact security of devices made across the world to meet the UK’s future standards.

Alternative options to the label that Government are also consulting on would be to mandate retailers to not sell any products that do not adhere to the top three security requirements of the Code.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The consultation document will be available on the Government’s Secure by Design pages and is open for 5 weeks. It has been published alongside a consumer survey report which tested various label designs with 6,482 UK consumers as part of helping to create a labelling scheme that was backed by evidence.

The public consultation is part of a wider evidence based approach, to create regulatory proposals for consumer IoT products.

In February, ETSI, the European Standards Organisation, Iaunched Technical Specification 103 645, the first globally-applicable industry standard on the cybersecurity of internet-connected consumer devices. TS 103 645 builds on the Code of Practice for Consumer IoT Security, but has been developed for wider European and global needs. Cybersecurity Tech Accord signatories endorsed the ETSI TS 103 645 in March 2019.

Stakeholders can submit feedback to the consultation via securebydesign@culture.gov.uk

The UK Government has also updated its guidance for consumers (‘Smart devices: using them safely in your home’) – the guidance has been published on DCMS and NCSC’s website.

The Industrial Strategy sets out a long term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK. It sets out how we are building a Britain fit for the future – how we will help businesses create better, higher-paying jobs in every part of the UK with investment in skills, industries and infrastructure.

The Minister made the announcement at the PETRAS/IET Living in the Internet of Things Conference (1-2 May 2019), at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Savoy Place.

Thank you, Mr President, and let me begin by offering a warm welcome back to the Council to Special Envoy Onanga-Anyanga. We look forward to working with you on this very important topic.

Mr President, I think we agree this is a very complex issue. It also strikes me that this is an interesting time to be discussing this issue, given the major upheavals in Sudan that the Special Envoy has referred to, and we share his view that it is absolutely vital for the Sudanese authorities and for the Government of South Sudan to continue to cooperate despite what’s been happening on the ground and to implement their agreements in relation to the border. I also agree very much with the tone set by both of our briefers today on recent developments. There is much to welcome over the last six months. Overall the security situation in Abyei has remained generally calm despite sporadic instances of violence. And we should welcome also the improved cooperation between the Government of South Sudan and the authorities in Sudan and the progress made against the JBVMM benchmarks.

However, we continue to have two major concerns. First, we share the concerns expressed today by USG Lacroix over intercommunal tensions and the political rhetoric and criminality which exacerbates these tensions. This remains the largest challenge to stability and we think that UNISFA’s support for local mediation, for community protection and for judicial initiatives remain absolutely vital, as does full deployment of UNISFA’s police assets. And on this issue, like Kuwait and the United States, we remain very concerned about delays in the issuing of visas for key personnel, especially for the Jordanian technical reconnaissance delegation. We urge the Sudanese authorities to issue those visas without delay. And perhaps if I can ask a question to our Sudanese colleagues: in your intervention today, we would be grateful if you could give us an update on the issuing of these visas.

Our second concern is around the issue raised by the ambassador from Peru and that’s about the humanitarian situation in Abyei, which, as he said, has been caused both by rapid inflation but also by the economic crises in both countries. The UK is providing $40 million this year in emergency humanitarian support to help Sudan’s most vulnerable and excluded communities and to help them with their basic food and health needs. And we would urge all UN Member States to assist in this regard.

And then finally turning to the question of UNISFA’s upcoming mandate renewal. We commend the really important work that UNISFA is doing on the ground, particularly with regard to mediation between the different parties. And we therefore support the recommendation for a six month mandate renewal. We agree, however, with those Council members who have said that the mission does need to adapt to the situation on the ground and therefore we support the recommendation on enhancing the mission’s civilian component – in order to help with its support to the AU Commission and AU High Level Implementation Panel.

Thank you very much.

Thank you to the Special Envoy. I’m going to be brief but I don’t want that to be construed as any lack of interest. It’s just that I think many of the speakers who’ve spoken have very eloquently, as with our American colleague, put the case about the political process.

So I’ll start, if I may, with some points about the security situation. What you said about the troubling resurgence of violence worries us. There have been reports this morning that the Syrian Authorities have deployed multiple barrel bombs in attacks in northern Hama, which I think is the first time such weapons have been used in over seven months. This is indiscriminate. Use of indiscriminate weaponry is unacceptable. And what is particularly worrying is that it doesn’t seem to be a signal that the Syrian regime is serious about the protection of the Syrian people. So it would be good to have an assessment from the Special Envoy as to whether you think this actually calls into question a commitment to the political settlement? And we’ve also seen some recent correspondence from the Syrians to the Security Council alleging activity by armed terrorist groups with the support of “foreign intelligence agencies”. This is about chemical weapons attacks. And there were more allegations that the White Helmets are involved.

Mr President, I’ve been very categorical in this chamber and I regret the need to be so again. But the White Helmets are a humanitarian organisation. They are purely a humanitarian organisation. They are very brave people. They are Syrians. And to date, they have saved 115,000 lives. So we look to the Syrian authorities to abide by their international obligations in relation to chemical weapons and to refrain from using them.

I would like to say something briefly about Idlib, like others. We’re very concerned by the frequent reports of regime shelling of areas in the demilitarised zone and we understand that over 120,000 people have been displaced since February as a result. So we look to Russia and Iran – who, along with Turkey, are the Astana guarantors – to ensure that the ceasefire agreed at Sochi is fully respected and that the current actions cease immediately. So let me be clear, it’s not just that we want to see the ceasefire respected; we want to see those Member States with influence use that influence to ensure that the ceasefire is respected.

Turning to the political process, I think that, Special Envoy, I think you’ve made really good efforts, so thank you for those. And we support you, as you continue. And I think you’re right to say that you should work on the full range of issues under 2254.

I just wanted to recall, Mr President that SCR 2254 was adopted in December 2015. That’s 40 months ago. But it set a deadline forty months ago of six months – so thirty four months ago – to set a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution. And we really can’t allow the Syrian authorities to drag this out indefinitely. So we definitely support very strongly the Special Envoy’s drive to get this sorted out in the coming months.

OP4 of that resolution calls for the establishment of a credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance. If I could ask: what is your assessment of the Syrian authorities progress towards responding to the Council’s request in that resolution?

And I think what’s being done on the constitutional committee is a good step forward. Anything that can convene the international players in Geneva is to be welcomed. I can promise you we’ll be supportive and pragmatic about that. But we, again, we would call on those with influence over the Syrian regime to encourage it to engage seriously and constructively in the political process – and this includes creating conditions for humanitarian access.

I just want to look ahead to a point when the current Syrian authorities will want to be reintegrated into the international community. Without this reintegration, Syria will never be stable, will never be fully prosperous. This is all the more reason why there needs to be a credible political process. But to recall, Mr President, that the United Kingdom has been clear and is still clear that we will not consider providing reconstruction assistance absent that credible political settlement.

Thank you.

The EU consultation is seeking feedback on an initial list of products.

The action is in the context of the Boeing dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The public consultation launched on 17 April. It will close on 31 May 2019.

On 28 March the WTO Appellate Body released its report ruling that the United States has not complied with an obligation to withdraw subsidies it declared illegal in 2012, or to remove their adverse effects.

Read International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox’s response to the ruling.

Jeremy Hunt championed a new UK diplomatic push across the continent of Africa, including French-speaking countries where the UK has traditionally played a smaller role. This page provides an overview of the visit with links to the main announcements.

Kenya

On Friday 3 May the Foreign Secretary listened to Kenyan entrepreneurs pitching for new business ideas as part of a UK aid funded programme. Winners can access up to £100,000 each in grant funding and technical assistance to help them scale up.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed £64 million of UK funding for Kenyan businesses that includes:

• £52 million for a solar power plant
• £11 million by British business De La Rue
• £1.4 million support for creative industries

Friday was also World Press Freedom Day 2019, and the Foreign Secretary visited the BBC Africa team and their new bureau in Nairobi.

Ethiopia

The Foreign Secretary visited Ethiopia on Thursday 2 May, where he spoke at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Addis Ababa.

The Foreign Secretary announced £15.5 million in UK aid to help Ethiopia run transparent, free and fair elections. He also announced a new Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship programme, for 60 African journalists to gain experience with leading UK media organisations.

Nigeria

The Foreign Secretary arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday 30 April for the inaugural meeting of the UK/Nigeria Economic Development Forum.

Fighting extremism

On Wednesday 1 May the Foreign Secretary visited the World Food Programme warehouse in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria. He spoke to people providing life-saving support to millions who have fled their homes following terrorist attacks.

He also met with the UK Military Liaison and Support Team which is working with the Nigerian military. The UK remains committed to supporting the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa.

Climate change

Climate change could have a catastrophic impact on hundreds of millions of people across Nigeria, the Sahel, and more widely across Africa, hitting the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest. Jeremy Hunt announced nearly £153 million funding for new UK aid programmes to help farmers across Africa and South Asia adapt to the effects of climate change and boost climate resilience in Ethiopia.

Ghana

The Foreign Secretary visited Ghana on Tuesday 30 April, where he welcomed new business deals with British companies. In one such deal, the Ghanaian government has approved a £26 million agreement with British business Aqua Africa to reduce water poverty in the country.

Senegal

On Monday 29 April the Foreign Secretary saw how the Royal Navy is training Senegal’s naval special forces to help protect the country’s new offshore oil and gas installations.

The UK will fund a new £4 million English language programme in French and Portuguese speaking countries across Africa, and Jeremy Hunt launched the ‘English Connects’ programme at the Université Virtuelle du Sénégal in Dakar. Over the next 2 years, it will support the teaching and learning of English in sub-Saharan Africa countries where English is not widely spoken.