Many manufacturers and certification managers are intimidated by the lengthy list of clauses when encountering JC-STAR (Japan Cyber-STAR) for the first time:“What exactly does this standard regulate? How does it relate to my devices?”

In fact, JC-STAR’s logic is crystal clear:It is not a set of technical detail specifications, but a universal rulebook to keep IoT devices secure from factory shipment to decommissioning.

This guide breaks down JC-STAR in the most non-technical, easy-to-understand way—covering its core framework, the risks each section addresses, and the responsibilities of different internal teams in your company.

I. JC-STAR’s Overall Framework: A Security Rulebook for the Full IoT Device Lifecycle

Simply put, JC-STAR governs every stage of an IoT device’s entire lifecycle:Factory Shipment → First Use → Network Connection → Daily Operation → Updates → Incident Handling → Decommissioning

Accordingly, the standard is structured into eight core categories:

1. Basic Device Security
2. Identity Authentication & Access Control
3. Communication Security
4. Data & Privacy Protection
5. Over-the-Air (OTA) Firmware Updates
6. Logging & Incident Response
7. Lifecycle Management
8. Documentation & Process Requirements

One-sentence summary: JC-STAR is a comprehensive full-body safety checklist for IoT devices—every stage of the lifecycle must meet compliance standards.

II. What Risks Does Each Section Address?

(1) Basic Device Security: Avoid Being "Born with Vulnerabilities"

The most common issues arise at the factory shipment stage, such as:

• Universal default passwords
• Unclosed debug interfaces
• Hardcoded encryption keys in firmware
• Suspicious services loaded by boot scripts
• Plaintext storage of sensitive information

These are hackers’ favorite entry points.Core objective: Ensure devices do not expose vulnerabilities the moment they are powered on.

(2) Identity Authentication & Access Control: Keep Strangers Out of Device Control

JC-STAR sets strict requirements in this area:

• No fixed default passwords
• Mandatory password change on first login
• Compliance with minimum password strength standards
• Brute-force attack protection for login functions
• Secure network configuration processes
• Standardized cloud account management

Core objective: Ensure device control belongs only to the legitimate owner, not to any passing hacker.

(3) Communication Security: Devices Must "Encrypt All Transmissions"

Common risks include:

• Plaintext HTTP transmission
• Legacy protocols (e.g., Telnet, FTP)
• Lack of server certificate verification
• Inadequate encryption for APP/cloud interfaces

Core objective: Prevent data from being eavesdropped, tampered with, or hijacked during transmission.

(4) Data & Privacy Protection: Legal Collection, Storage and Processing of Data

Japan places extreme importance on privacy, so JC-STAR emphasizes the following principles:

• Data minimization (collect only what is necessary)
• Encrypted storage of sensitive data
• User access to data deletion functions
• No unnecessary permission requests
• Transparent privacy policies

Core objective: Let users know what data is collected and why, and give them control over their own data.

(5) OTA Firmware Update Mechanism: Devices Must Be Able to "Self-Repair"

Key requirements include:

• Digital signature for all update packages
• Integrity verification of update files
• Anti-rollback protection for firmware upgrades
• Stable and reliable update service
• Timely patching of critical vulnerabilities

Core objective: Ensure devices can be remotely repaired when issues arise in the future—not just abandoned.

III. Which Internal Team Is Responsible for What?

JC-STAR is not just a "security team test"—it requires collaboration across nearly every department in the company.

Here is a clear, concise breakdown of responsibilities:

(1) Hardware/Embedded Team

• Default password settings & initial device configuration
• Disabling debug interfaces
• Firmware signing & boot process security
• Local data storage security
• Removing unnecessary pre-installed services

One-sentence mandate: Never bake vulnerabilities into the chip.

(2) APP Team

• Login function security
• Network configuration process design
• Password policy implementation
• Rational permission requests
• Privacy policy display and explanation

One-sentence mandate: Balance user experience and security—never sacrifice one for the other.

(3) Cloud Team

• Cloud API interface security
• TLS protocol configuration
• Access permission control
• Encrypted cloud data storage
• User account management
• OTA update package distribution

One-sentence mandate: The cloud is the brain—one breach leads to a full-system collapse.

(4) Security Lead/Certification Manager

• Compilation of compliance documentation
• Corporate IoT risk assessment
• Aligning supply chain with JC-STAR requirements
• Internal compliance audits
• Responding to regulatory audit inquiries

One-sentence mandate: Be the central control center—not just a fire-fighting team.

IV. Why Is JC-STAR Easier for Non-Technical Teams to Understand?

Because JC-STAR’s core logic is not about technical details, but about a risk checklist + security code of conduct.

The standard places greater emphasis on process and management rather than technical specs:

• Do you have formalized security processes in place?
• Do you manage the entire device lifecycle securely?
• Do you patch identified vulnerabilities in a timely manner?
• Do you adhere to the data minimization principle?
• Can you prove to auditors what security measures you have implemented?

In other words:JC-STAR is more like an ISO-style management system than a pure technical clause set such as EN standards.

This is why product managers, operations teams, and certification leads can easily grasp its requirements.

V. Four Critical Steps to Prepare for JC-STAR Compliance

We’ve summarized these into an easy-to-remember mnemonic:Close Entry Points, Regulate Identity, Secure Communications, Enable Updates

1. Close Entry Points

Eliminate all vulnerable entry points: universal default passwords, unclosed debug interfaces, and weak system configurations.

2. Regulate Identity

Standardize the login and permission management systems across the device, APP, and cloud ends.

3. Secure Communications

Ensure robust encryption, certificate verification, and interface validation for all data transmissions.

4. Enable Updates

Guarantee timely vulnerability patching and a fully compliant OTA firmware update mechanism.

Master these four steps, and you will have addressed more than 50% of JC-STAR’s core requirements.

JC-STAR may have a long list of clauses, but its core logic is consistent:Make IoT devices hard to hack, and enable manufacturers to maintain products in a long-term, stable, and secure manner.

Understanding its framework helps you identify your product’s compliance gaps;Defining clear team responsibilities ensures collaboration between R&D, APP, cloud, and certification teams—no more blame-shifting.