The Postal Service™ wants employees and contractors to know that the Internet of Things (IoT) is constantly evolving.
IoT refers to the devices, appliances, or other internet-connected gadgets that we use daily, such as a person’s heart monitor implant, a smartwatch. or a smart refrigerator. These smart devices have IP addresses — a numeric designation that identifies its location on the internet — that makes them vulnerable to targeting by cybercriminals: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/05/internet-of-things-dark-web-strategy-supply-value-chain.
To mitigate privacy and security risks, consumers should install software security updates on smart home devices and protect them with strong passwords using robust passphrases.
To protect internet-connected devices, the CyberSafe at USPS® team recommends the following tips:
n Update. Stay current on all software updates and security patches.
n Disable. If a device can operate without the internet, disable the online connection.
n Protect. Use a strong unique passphrase as a device password.
n Secure. Keep your home devices secure by using a router to connect to the network.
Remember, plugging your personal smart devices such as phones, tablets, or other home devices into USPS equipment violates Postal Service policies. A compromised IoT device could put the network in danger and damage the reputation of our stakeholders and the Postal Service brand.
For more information, see the CyberSafe pages at https://blue.usps.gov/cyber and https://liteblue.usps.gov/cyber, and the Monthly Awareness Campaigns page at https://blue.usps.gov/cyber/communications.htm.
— Corporate Information Security Office,
Chief Information Security Officer, 8-8-24
