Insights

CES 2026 Recap: Cybersecurity Takes Center Stage in the Connected Device Economy

Jan 14, 2026

CES 2026 reinforced what many in the IoT ecosystem already know: security is no longer optional, and it is no longer invisible. As connected devices continue to scale across industries, cybersecurity is emerging as a true differentiator for manufacturers, service providers and solution developers.

Somos was proud to be part of this year’s event, connecting with partners, customers and innovators throughout the week and showcasing how SomosID® helps establish trust at the foundation of IoT ecosystems.

Cybersecurity as a Market Differentiator

One of the key moments of the week was the IMC hosted panel, “Cybersecurity: New Selling Point in Connected Devices?”, featuring Somos CTO Sri Ramachandran alongside industry leaders.

The discussion centered on a clear shift in market expectations. Given growing security and regulatory compliance concerns, security is no longer viewed only as a compliance requirement or cost of doing business. Increasingly, it is becoming a purchasing criterion and a competitive advantage.

Panel highlights included:

• Cybersecurity is now a buying decision driver
  Customers are asking not just whether devices function, but whether they can be trusted over their full lifecycle. Secure identity, authentication and data integrity are essential to winning business in regulated and mission critical environments.

• Device Transparency identity is foundational to IoT security
  Sri emphasized that without strong, authoritative identity at the device level, higher level security controls lose effectiveness. Identity enables secure onboarding, access control, accountability and lifecycle management.

• Trust must scale with connectivity
  As IoT deployments grow into the millions of devices, security approaches must be automated, interoperable and resilient. Scalable identity frameworks help prevent fragmentation and reduce operational complexity.

• Security can accelerate adoption, not slow it down
  When security is designed into the architecture from the beginning, it enables faster partnerships, smoother integrations and greater confidence across ecosystems.

Looking Ahead

CES 2026 made one thing clear: cybersecurity is no longer a background concern; it is a front and center business imperative, and device identity plays a critical role in making it work.

We thank the IMC community and everyone who joined Sri’s panel discussion. We also appreciate all who stopped by the Somos booth to share insights and explore collaboration opportunities.

If you would like to continue the conversation or learn more about how SomosID supports secure, trusted IoT deployments, we welcome you to connect with our team at iot@somos.com

The future of connected devices depends on trust, and Somos is committed to helping build it.