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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 public comment period for Trusted Internet of Things (IoT) Device Network-Layer Onboarding and Lifecycle Management has closed. Thanks to everyone who shared their feedback with us.

NIST SP 1800-36 (Complete draft guide)Document Version NIST SP 1800-36 (Complete draft guide)
NIST SP 1800-36A: Executive Summary (Draft)Document Version NIST SP 1800-36A: Executive Summary (Draft)
NIST SP 1800-36B: Approach, Architecture, and Security Characteristics (Draft)Document Version NIST SP 1800-36B: Approach, Architecture, and Security Characteristics (Draft)
NIST SP 1800-36C: How-to Guides (Draft)Document Version NIST SP 1800-36C: How-to Guides (Draft)
NIST SP 1800-36D: Functional Demonstrations (Draft)Document Version NIST SP 1800-36D: Functional Demonstrations (Draft)
NIST SP 1800-36E: Risk and Compliance Management (Draft)Document Version NIST SP 1800-36E: Risk and Compliance Management (Draft)

This following NIST Cybersecurity White Paper is open for public comment through May 29, 2025. 

NIST CSWP 42 Towards Automating IoT Security: Implementing Trusted Network-Layer Onboarding (Initial Public Draft in PDF format)Web Version NIST CSWP 42 Towards Automating IoT Security: Implementing Trusted Network-Layer Onboarding (Initial Public Draft in PDF format)
View the 2-page Fact Sheet

Project Abstract

Provisioning network credentials to IoT devices in an untrusted manner leaves networks vulnerable to having unauthorized IoT devices connect to them. It also leaves IoT devices vulnerable to being taken over by unauthorized networks. Instead, trusted, scalable, and automatic mechanisms are needed to safely manage IoT devices throughout their lifecycles, beginning with secure ways to provision devices with their network credentials—a process known as trusted network-layer onboarding. Trusted network-layer onboarding, in combination with additional device security capabilities such as device attestation, application-layer onboarding, secure lifecycle management, and device intent enforcement could improve the security of networks and IoT devices.

This draft practice guide aims to demonstrate how organizations can protect both their IoT devices and their networks. The NCCoE is collaborating with product and service providers to produce example implementations of trusted network-layer onboarding and capabilities that improve device and network security throughout the IoT-device lifecycle to achieve this.

Read the project description

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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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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