AV-Comparatives Nominated for Euregio Innovation Award: Highlighting Urgent Need for Enhanced IoT Security Standards
Serious Vulnerabilities Found in Smart Home Devices: A Call for Enhanced IoT Security Standards
ALPBACH, Austria, Sept. 14, 2025 — In a groundbreaking revelation, AV-Comparatives has uncovered significant security vulnerabilities in smart home devices from two leading vendors, emphasizing the urgent need for robust Internet of Things (IoT) and Operational Technology (OT) security standards. This alarming discovery comes as AV-Comparatives has been nominated for the prestigious Euregio Innovation Award at the European Forum Alpbach (EFA), recognizing its pioneering research in IoT security.
As smart home devices like connected cameras, voice assistants, and smart thermostats become increasingly prevalent, their convenience is shadowed by potential security risks. Unsecured devices can be exploited by cybercriminals, leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or even control over household systems. Furthermore, compromised IoT devices can be hijacked for large-scale botnet attacks, posing threats not only to individual users but also to critical infrastructure.
In collaboration with MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®, AV-Comparatives has developed an advanced automated testing system designed to evaluate and certify IoT devices. This innovative platform assesses how well these devices protect user data and withstand cyberattacks. During their research, the team identified serious vulnerabilities in products from two major smart home vendors, underscoring the pressing need for independent certification and stronger security standards.
“Our nomination for the Euregio Innovation Award validates our mission: ensuring that connected technologies are tested to the highest standards,” said Jan Brilke, COO of AV-Comparatives. “With smart home devices becoming integral to daily life, the risks of inadequate security are no longer theoretical. Our new IoT test system aims to protect consumers while guiding manufacturers toward safer, more trustworthy products.”
Pascal Schöttle from MCI added, “The collaboration between MCI and AV-Comparatives demonstrates how applied research and industry expertise can address pressing societal challenges. With billions of IoT devices entering households and businesses worldwide, rigorous testing and certification are essential for safeguarding users and infrastructures.”
The Euregio Innovation Award is presented annually at the European Forum Alpbach to honor projects that exemplify research excellence, cross-border collaboration, and societal impact.
Call to Action
AV-Comparatives invites IoT manufacturers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to engage with its upcoming research and certification framework. By collaborating, the industry can ensure that innovation in smart home technology aligns with consumer safety and data protection. Interested manufacturers can contact AV-Comparatives for a free basic assessment of their products.
For more information, reach out via email at iot@av-comparatives.org.
About AV-Comparatives
AV-Comparatives is an internationally recognized independent testing laboratory, providing systematic evaluations of security software, including PC and Mac-based antivirus products. Founded in Innsbruck, Austria, the organization is a globally trusted authority in IT security assessment.
About MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®
MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® uniquely integrates academia, business, and consulting, bridging theory and practice. As one of Austria’s leading universities of applied sciences, MCI is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives.
For media inquiries, contact Peter Stelzhammer at media@av-comparatives.org or call +43 512 287788.
