The U.S. Senate passed the Developing and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act. This bipartisan bill, which unanimously passed the senate in the 115th Congress and was reintroduced in May 2019 by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), calls for the creation of a working group of federal entities and experts from the private and academic sectors tasked with providing recommendations to congress on how to facilitate the growth of connected IoT technologies. Additionally, the legislation directs the Federal Communications Commission to complete a report assessing spectrum needs required to support the Internet of Things.
“SIA members recognize the Internet of Things’ profound impact in allowing devices to perform more effectively and in a more coordinated fashion, especially within physical security,” said Security Industry Association (SIA) CEO Don Erickson. “The growth potential of IoT is exciting for both the public and private sectors, and SIA applauds the DIGIT Act for promoting the innovation, proliferation and ubiquitous deployment of these technologies and the United States’ continued leadership in this industry.”