Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Cybersecurity Labels between the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the Connectivity Standards Alliance

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Connectivity Standards Alliance (Alliance) signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for the recognition of their respective cybersecurity labels for consumer Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices on 19 March 2024. 

The MRA was signed on CSA’s behalf by the Deputy Chief Executive of CSA, Mr Chua Kuan Seah. The Alliance’s signatory was Mr Tobin Richardson, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Connectivity Standards Alliance. 

Photo by the Connectivity Standards Alliance

Both CSA and the Alliance share mutual interests in enhancing cooperation in the field of Consumer Internet of Things cybersecurity, and the MRA signifies a landmark commitment to cultivating international cooperation and coordination in cybersecurity. It facilitates the mutual recognition of cybersecurity labels, and the harmonisation of standards to reduce duplicated testing and costs for manufacturers, thereby advancing the cyber security of consumer IoT. 

The MRA also encompasses the exchange and alignment of information related to relevant standards, requirements, and other practices concerning the cybersecurity labelling of consumer IoT. It will foster collaboration on further developments of the respective cybersecurity certification/labelling schemes. 

Mr Chua Kuan Seah, Deputy Chief Executive of CSA, said, “Since the launch of our Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme in 2020, one of our key objectives has been to achieve global alignment for consumer IoT cybersecurity. Singapore had earlier achieved mutual recognition of our IoT cybersecurity labels with Finland and Germany. The signing of this agreement with the Alliance brings us closer to that goal. Such harmonisation in cybersecurity requirements and mutual recognition will provide greater incentives to manufacturers to incorporate Cybersecurity-by-Design and Cybersecurity-by-Default into their IoT devices.” 

About the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore 
Established in 2015, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) seeks to keep Singapore’s cyberspace safe and secure to underpin our Nation Security, power a Digital Economy and protect our Digital Way of Life. It maintains an oversight of national cybersecurity functions and works with sector leads to protect Singapore’s Critical Information Infrastructure. CSA also engages with various stakeholders to heighten cyber security awareness, build a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem supported by a robust workforce, pursue international partnerships and drive regional cybersecurity capacity building programmes. 

CSA is part of the Prime Minister’s Office and is managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information. For more news and information, please visit www.csa.gov.sg.