Microsoft has welcomed a series of recommendations designed to safeguard privacy in the Internet of Things (IoT) era.
The tech giant said security and privacy are paramount considerations in the growing IoT market as it championed the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) new guidelines for companies relating to connected devices.
Principal architect of Redmond's Azure IoT division, Clemens Vasters, wrote in a blog post: "The report is a welcome call to action for everyone involved in planning, building and deploying smart, connected products.
"We cannot make compromises in security here, as a company, as a partner ecosystem, as industry organizations or as a world community.
"And because this emerging technology is indeed so close to our hearts, we also must take privacy extremely seriously."
The FTC's guidelines recommend companies make someone responsible for product security, implement security by design, rather than as an add-on feature, and place security measures "at several levels" to mitigate against insecure soft spots.
Microsoft's Vasters revealed the firm's own experiences in developing IoT projects were "quite sobering".
He added: "Effective security sometimes falls victim to cost considerations, and that established best practices and procedures for IoT products and services are sometimes left behind in the search for a "cheap" path to security."
The news comes after Gartner predicted that connected vehicles will number 250 million by 2020.
Research director James Hines said: "The connected car is already a reality, and in-vehicle wireless connectivity is rapidly expanding from luxury models and premium brands, to high-volume midmarket models.
"The increased consumption and creation of digital content within the vehicle will drive the need for more sophisticated infotainment systems, creating opportunities for application processors, graphics accelerators, displays and human-machine interface technologies."
