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Trusted IoT Device Network-Layer Onboarding and Lifecycle Management

As with any other device, an IoT device needs appropriate credentials in order to connect to a network securely. The process of provisioning these credentials to the device is called network-layer onboarding.

Approaches to trusted network-layer onboarding of IoT devices and lifecycle management of the devices

The NCCoE, in collaboration with industry, is committed to providing actionable cybersecurity solutions to help strengthen the security of IoT devices and their networks through trusted network-layer onboarding and lifecycle management.
Status: Soliciting Comments

The NCCoE has released Volume A of this preliminary draft practice guide. NIST is adopting an agile process to publish content. Each volume is being made available as soon as possible rather than delaying release until all volumes are complete.

The public comment period for Volume A of this practice guide is now open through February 3, 2023.

NIST SP 1800-36A: Executive Summary (Preliminary Draft)Document Version NIST SP 1800-36A: Executive Summary (Preliminary Draft)
View the 2-page Fact Sheet

Project Abstract

Network-layer onboarding for an IoT device means provisioning network credentials to that device. The current lack of trusted IoT device onboarding processes leaves many networks vulnerable to having unauthorized devices connect to them. It also leaves devices vulnerable to being taken over by networks that are not authorized to onboard them.

This NCCoE project will focus on approaches to trusted network-layer onboarding for IoT devices and lifecycle management of those devices. The NCCoE will build a trusted network-layer onboarding solution example using commercially available technology that will address a set of cybersecurity challenges aligned to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. This project will result in a freely available NIST Cybersecurity Practice Guide.

The current lack of trusted IoT device onboarding processes leaves many networks vulnerable to having unauthorized devices connect to them.

Collaborating Vendors

Organizations participating in this project submitted their capabilities in response to an open call in the Federal Register for all sources of relevant security capabilities from academia and industry (vendors and integrators). The following respondents with relevant capabilities or product components (identified as “Technology Partners/Collaborators” herein) signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to collaborate with NIST in a consortium to build this example solution.

Supplemental Resources

Cybersecurity Paper: Trusted Internet of Things (IoT) Device Network-Layer Onboarding and Lifecycle Management 

This document provides background information on trusted IoT device network-layer onboarding and lifecycle management and defines a taxonomy of onboarding characteristics that can be used to discuss potential onboarding solutions in product-agnostic terms. This document in conjunction with the Virtual Workshop on Trusted IoT Device Network-Layer Onboarding and Lifecycle Management informed the development of the project description.

Read the paper
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Join the Community of Interest

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A Community of Interest (COI) is a group of professionals and advisors who share business insights, technical expertise, challenges, and perspectives to guide NCCoE projects. COIs often include experts, innovators, and everyday users of cybersecurity and privacy technologies. Share your expertise and consider becoming a member of this project's COI. 

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