Matter Casting  
Certificate Service

Devices that are certified by Matter means they are part of a trusted ecosystem that ensures they are secure, reliable and seamless to use.Matter devices recognize one another as inherently trustworthy because theyhave been through a certification process that ensures they are safe, at Matterprotocols also ensure interoperability by allowing devices and personalassistants like Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri and the Google Personal Assistant canall communicate with each other, making life for consumers much easier.

Matter certification’s goal is to make devices easier and safer to use by getting rid of fragmentation across different companies, and to create interoperability among smart home devices and Internet of things (IoT) platforms from different providers.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) announced Version 1.0 of the specification on October 4, 2022. The Matter specification is provided at no charge upon request after registering with CSA. The Matter SDK is open source under the Apache license.

After completing the steps described by CSA, device manufacturers will receive an Certified Product Logo they can use on their product. These steps include reading the CSA Policies and Governing Documents, becoming a member of CSA, obtaining a Manufacturer ID or Vendor ID, selecting a compliant platform or network transport, choosing a CSA-authorized testing provider, sending products to be tested, completing and submitting a certification application, and waiting on formal approval from CSA.

Matter certification allows any connected device manufacturer or app developer to show their commitment to interoperability and quality. Matter-certified devices and apps will include video and audio streaming apps, lights, home appliances, security systems, security cameras, and a wide variety of other consumer electronics devices.

Matter certificates play a crucial role in ensuring trust and protecting consumers from counterfeit Matter Casting apps that may falsely claim certification or misrepresent their brand. These certificates enable secure communication between devices and the cloud, safeguarding consumer data and privacy. To comply with the Matter standard, certificates must be issued by a Matter-approved certificate authority. Kudelski IoT, one of these authorities, provides Device Attestation Certificates (DACs) required for Matter Casting apps. These certificates verify the authenticity and integrity of connected devices before they can join and function within a network. In addition, Kudelski IoT offers a wide range of IoT security services, including security architecture, design, and technology solutions.

The X.509 certificate is defined by the International Telecommunication Union's Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). It is a digital certificate that uses the widely accepted international X.509 public key infrastructure (PKI) standard to verify that a public key belongs to the user, computer or service identity contained within the certificate.

A public key is a large numerical value used to encrypt data or check the legitimacy of a digital signature. A PKI, moreover, is the underlying framework that enables entities like users and servers to securely exchange information using digital certificates.

The Matter DAC X.509 certificate protects against malicious device and network impersonators. When a certificate is signed by a Device Attestation Authority, the device holding the certificate can be trusted by the entire ecosystem by using a public key certificate to secure and authenticate communications with a second party.

Curious to know whether the effort and investment of making your devices complaint to the Matter IoT standard is worth it for you as a device manufacturer? For most consumer electronics manufacturers, the answer is likely to be yes. Here are the reasons why:

• Create effortless inoperability for you and consumers. Adopting matter enables your device to work seamlessly with your customers’ other devices and ecosystems, and gives you a competitive advantage over competitors that don’t support Matter.
• Reduce complexity and deliver a better user experience. Consumers electronics can be complex for many consumers, and many can’t handle complex set-up instructions. Matter provides a true “plug-and-play” set up and for home electronics and enables consumers to start enjoying your devices as quickly and as effortlessly as possible.
• Reduce custom development. So many devices come with their own custom app and consumer experience, requiring customers to learn unfamiliar new interfaces to enjoy their purchase. By connecting devices to existing applications and personal assistants, manufacturers can sometimes avoid expensive and complex app development while still satisfying consumers.
• Take advantage of a large community of developers. By leveraging open-source resources and a strong community of people continuously monitoring and improving the security and robustness of the Matter ecosystem, the whole ecosystem benefits.
• Protect your reputation long-term. By leveraging the security provided by the Matter standard, you’ll ensure you’re part of a strong ecosystem that consumers come to trust. And by trusting Matter, they will in turn trust you.

Initially, Matter was developed by some of the leading companies in technology, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung and Comcast. There are over 400 companies in the Connectivity StandardsAlliance, representing some of the most well-known players in IoT. Membership is divided between Promoters, Participants, Adopters and Associates.

The main goals of Matter are simplicity, interoperability, reliability and security. All Matter-compliant devices will work together no matter which brand makes them. Matter also promises three major benefits for consumers: greater choice in the products and ecosystems they can use, a simplified user experience (in terms of setup, security, and more), and lower costs (because of greater efficiencies in engineering, manufacturing, and more by not having to support multiple “works with” programs).

Matter’s authorized testing laboratories follow standardized testing plans and criteria and provide consistent, trustworthy results across all companies they work with. This way, device manufacturers get quick certification on well-made devices and good, clear advice on how to achieve compliance for devices that require improvement.

Matter Working Groups are made up of industry experts who collaborate to develop technical specifications and guidelines for the Matter standard. They play a crucial role in shaping the standard and ensuring its ongoing evolution.

Yes, Matter devices are designed to work with non-Matter devices using existing communication protocols. However, non-certified devices may not provide the same level of interoperability, security, or reliability as Matter-certified devices.

Matter uses end-to-end encryption to protect user data, ensuring that only authorized devices can access it. It also requires devices to follow strict privacy guidelines, such as obtaining user consent before sharing data.

Yes, Matter devices can be controlled using any app that supports the Matter protocol. This means that users can choose the app that works best for them, without being locked into a single ecosystem.

The Matter certification program ensures that devices meet strict interoperability standards, allowing them to work seamlessly with other Matter-certified devices. This helps to reduce the complexity of smart home ecosystems and improve the user experience.

Matter requires devices to support over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates, which allows manufacturers to update their devices with new features and security patches over the air. This ensures that devices remain up-to-date and secure over time.

Matter uses device attestation certificates to ensure the security of devices, even when they are not connected to the internet. This helps to prevent unauthorized access and maintain the integrity of the smart home ecosystem.

Yes, Matter is designed to support devices that use multiple communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi and Thread. This allows devices to communicate with each other using the most appropriate protocol for their specific use case.

To become a Matter-certified device manufacturer, companies must follow strict guidelines for interoperability, security, and reliability. They must also pass rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure that their devices meet these standards.

The Matter Advisory Council is made up of industry leaders who provide strategic guidance and feedback on the direction of the Matter standard. They play an important role in ensuring that the standard remains relevant and effective over time.