Security Industry Association applauds Senate Commerce Committee’s passage of the DIGIT Act

The Security Industry Association (SIA) applauded the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday for passing the Developing Innovation and Growing Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act.

The legislation directs the secretary of commerce to convene a governmental working group to address the federal government’s role in the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to a proposed development of the internet in which everyday objects have network connectivity, like smart devices.

The bill was cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Brian Schatz (D-HI).

“SIA applauds the provision highlighting the wide range of IoT issues under the working group’s directed report,” SIA CEO Don Erickson said. “Specifically, we feel that ensuring privacy and security is of paramount importance since it could become a potential barrier to successful deployment of IoT technologies. As the Department of Commerce convenes the working group to examine issues related to IoT and produce its report, the security industry should be represented in the nongovernmental steering committee. SIA member companies strive develop technology solutions that incorporate privacy by design, protecting personally identifiable information from design to manufacture to implementation and deployment.”

IoT technologies are expected to economically contribute approximately $11 trillion globally per year by 2025.

SIA is the leading trade association for electronic and physical security solution providers, with more than 650 member companies representing more than 400,000 security professionals.