Many engineers’ first reaction is:Isn’t this old news?It’s not a problem anymore.Who still uses admin/admin?

Yet in lab assessments, default password issues remain one of the top failure points.

And under JC‑STAR, this is not a minor deduction —it’s a red line.

1. Why Is Japan So Strict About Default Passwords?

Here’s a very practical logic:If an attack requires no skill whatsoever, it’s not an attack — it’s a design flaw.

That’s exactly the problem with default passwords:

• No vulnerabilities needed
• No reverse engineering
• No hacking tools

All it takes is checking the manual, a sticker, or a quick online search.

For consumers, this isn’t “you didn’t change the password.”It means:The product you bought is insecure by design.

In the Japanese market, this is unacceptable.

2. JC‑STAR’s Definition of “Default Password” Is Wider Than You Think

This is where many manufacturers fall into a trap.

Common misunderstanding:The device has a default password, but users can change it.

JC‑STAR’s definition:The device must be secure before the user takes any active security action.

This means the following all count as default password risks:

• All devices share the same initial password
• Password printed on the case, packaging, or manual
• Password derived from SN/MAC with a fixed algorithm
• No mandatory password change on first use

In short:Any password that can be guessed or derived at scale is essentially a default password.

3. How Do Labs Test for Default Passwords?

Here’s a real-world view.

Labs don’t just:Try logging in once.

They evaluate systematically:

1. Is there an uninitialized state?
2. Can users skip the initialization process?
3. Are there any backdoor or engineering accounts?
4. Does a factory reset revert to a weak state?

Point 4, in particular,is a hidden landmine many products completely overlook.

4. The 3 Most Common “False Sense of Security”

These three often lead to direct failure in assessments.

1. Using SN as the initial password

• SN is predictable
• SN is often exposed
• SN can usually be enumerated via interfaces

Result: Not allowed.

2. “We recommend changing the password on first login”

Pay attention to the word: recommend.

In JC‑STAR terms:Recommend = optional = risk still exists.

3. Password changed in the app, but not enforced on the device

• The app appears secure
• Local interfaces or legacy protocols still allow access

Result: Almost certain failure in lab testing.

5. What Design Actually Meets the JC‑STAR Standard?

There is only one core approach JC‑STAR accepts:Forced Initialization

Requirements include:

• Strong password setup mandatory on first use
• Core functions unavailable until initialization is complete
• Initialization cannot be skipped
• Weak access points fully disabled after initialization

This is not a “security bonus.”It is the minimum security baseline.

6. An Easily Overlooked Point: Factory Reset

Many manufacturers fail here.

If:

• After a factory reset
• The device returns to a “default password state”
• And allows remote access

From JC‑STAR’s perspective:You are essentially recreating an insecure device every time.

The correct approach:Factory reset ≠ revert to weak stateSecure initialization must still be performed again.

7. What Is This Red Line Really Forcing You to Do?

Frankly speaking:JC‑STAR isn’t just making you add one more security step.

It’s forcing you to answer one question:Is your product still secure under the worst real‑world usage?

• Users don’t read manuals
• Users don’t understand security
• Users take shortcuts

Even under these conditions,can your product still be safe?

8. What’s Coming Next?

Default passwords are only the first hurdle.

Next article:Device, App, and Cloud Pairing & Binding: Who Trusts Whom?

If this step is designed incorrectly,all the later encryption and certificateswill only be “tape” patching a flawed architecture.

With this article,you’ve officially entered the JC‑STAR practical battle zone.