InfoSecBulletin Cybersecurity for mankind
The UK’s NCSC wants smart device manufacturers to follow new law banning default passwords. The law, known as the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure act (or PSTI act), will be effective on April 29, 2024.
“From 29 April 2024, manufacturers of consumer ‘smart’ devices must comply with new UK law.” reads the announcement published by NCSC. “The law, known as the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure act (or PSTI act), will help consumers to choose smart devices that have been designed to provide ongoing protection against cyber attacks.”
Major Danish university breached, 200,000 users at risk
Microsoft’s X account hijacked to promote Clippy crypto scam
Critical cPanel, GitLab AI Gateway and Dell CSM Flaws Enable RCE And Admin Hijacking
Nearly 100,000 email addresses exposed in first AI-related data breach in Singapore
Hackers Exploit Zimbra Mail Servers: TeamViewer patched 5 critical flaws
Google Warns of Hackers Actively Exploiting Citrix 0-Day Flaws
CISA Warns Critical MikroTik RouterOS Flaw While Cisco SD-WAN Zero-Day Exploited in Attacks
Apple Zero-Day Exploited: Pentagon Data Breach Reportedly Exposes Sensitive Data of 3 Million People
JadePuffer Agentic AI targets and destroys Azure’s cloud resources
“InfoSecCon-2026: Bangladesh’s Cybersecurity Leaders Unite to Shape a Safer Digital Future”
The U.K. is the first country to ban default passwords on IoT devices. This law stops manufacturers from providing devices with easily accessible passwords that can be shared.
The law applies to the following products:
Smart speakers, smart TVs, and streaming devices
Smart doorbells, baby monitors, and security cameras
Cellular tablets, smartphones, and game consoles
Wearable fitness trackers (including smart watches)
Smart domestic appliances (such as light bulbs, plugs, kettles, thermostats, ovens, fridges, cleaners, and washing machines)
Hackers could use these to get into a network or carry out cyber attacks.
Companies must provide a way to report security issues and specify how long the device will get important security updates.
The NCSC stated that the PSTI act applies to organizations that import or sell products for the UK market. This includes most smart devices made outside the UK. Manufacturers who do not comply with the act will be fined up to £10 million or 4% of their worldwide revenue.
