The federal government’s push to put a security rating on the “smart” gear we all buy is about to get real. Australia’s Security Labelling Scheme for Smart Devices moves to a pilot in early September, when Home Affairs and Cyber Security Minister Tony Burke launches it at the Connecting Technology Summit (1–3 September). An industry pilot follows from October, and the voluntary label is expected to start appearing on products from 2027. It’s part of the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, and the idea is refreshingly simple: a clear, recognisable mark that tells you how secure an internet-connected product is before you hand over your money.

Here’s why it matters, and it isn’t really about the label. Most Australian offices are full of devices no one thinks of as computers: IP cameras, meeting-room smart TVs, networked printers, door controllers, booking and EFTPOS tablets — even the odd sensor. In the environments we manage, these are consistently the gear most likely to be running default passwords and firmware that hasn’t been touched since the day it was installed, often sitting on the same flat network as your files and your accounting system. A label won’t fix what you already own. It changes what you should buy next.

You don’t need to wait for 2027 to act. Start with an inventory of everything connected to your network. Change default logins, check whether each vendor still ships firmware updates, and move IoT gear onto a separate network from your business data. When you replace hardware, favour vendors who can actually show a security commitment. For hospitality venues across the Northern Beaches and offices out in the Central West, that quiet camera or booking kiosk is often the softest way in.

If you’re not sure what’s on your network, that’s the place to start. All IT Services can audit your connected devices, segment your network, and keep firmware patched as part of managed IT support.