The internet of things (IoT) is the vast network of connected physical objects (i.e., things) that exchange data with other devices and systems via the internet. While it refers to the actual devices, IoT is commonly used as an overarching term to describe a highly-distributed network that combines connectivity with sensors and lightweight applications, which are embedded into tools and devices. These are used to exchange data with other devices, applications, and systems for everything from smart plugs and power grids to connected cars and medical devices.
IDC defines an IoT solution as “a network of uniquely identifiable endpoints (or things) that communicate without human interaction using IP connectivity—whether locally or globally. IoT brings meaning to the concept of ubiquitous connectivity for businesses, governments, and consumers with its innate management, monitoring, and analytics.”
Driven by low-cost computing and the cloud, IoT has become one of the most ubiquitous connected technologies with billions of instances around the world. IoT bridges the digital and physical worlds with seamless, streaming communications for everyday consumer products and complex industrial systems.
What Is IoT Security?
IoT security is an umbrella term that covers the strategies, tools, processes, systems, and methods used to protect all aspects of the internet of things. Included in IoT security is the protection of the physical components, applications, data, and network connections to ensure the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of IoT ecosystems.
Security challenges abound, because of the high volume of flaws regularly discovered in IoT systems. Robust IoT security includes all facets of protection, including hardening components, monitoring, keeping firmware updated, access management, threat response, and remediation of vulnerabilities. IoT security is critical as these systems are sprawling and vulnerable, making them a highly-targeted attack vector. Securing IoT devices from unauthorized access ensures that they do not become a gateway into other parts of the network or leak sensitive information.
IoT security vulnerabilities are found in everything from vehicles and smart grids to watches and smart home devices. For example, researchers found webcams that could be easily hacked to gain access to networks and smartwatches containing security vulnerabilities that allowed hackers to track the wearer’s location and eavesdrop on conversations.
“We found that the general security posture of IoT devices is declining, leaving organizations vulnerable to new IoT-targeted malware as well as older attack techniques that IT teams have long forgotten.”
The Importance of IoT Security
IoT is widely believed to be one of the most significant security vulnerabilities that impact nearly everyone—consumers, organizations, and governments. For all of the convenience and value derived from IoT systems, the risks are unparalleled. The importance of IoT security cannot be overstated, as these devices provide cybercriminals with a vast and accessible attack surface.
IoT security provides the vital protections needed for these vulnerable devices. Developers of IoT systems are known to focus on the functionality of the devices and not on security. This amplifies the importance of IoT security and for users and IT teams to be responsible for implementing protections.
IoT Security Challenges
As noted above, IoT devices were not built with security in mind. This results in myriad IoT security challenges that can lead to disastrous situations. Unlike other technology solutions, few standards and rules are in place to direct IoT security. In addition, most people do not understand the inherent risks with IoT systems. Nor do they have any idea about the depth of IoT security challenges. Among the many IoT security issues are the following:
- Lack of visibility
Users often deploy IoT devices without the knowledge of IT departments, which makes it impossible to have an accurate inventory of what needs to be protected and monitored. - Limited security integration
Because of the variety and scale of IoT devices, integrating them into security systems ranges from challenging to impossible. - Open-source code vulnerabilities
Firmware developed for IoT devices often includes open-source software, which is prone to bugs and vulnerabilities. - Overwhelming data volume
The amount of data generated by IoT devices make data oversight, management, and protection difficult. - Poor testing
Because most IoT developers do not prioritize security, they fail to perform effective vulnerability testing to identify weaknesses in IoT systems. - Unpatched vulnerabilities
Many IoT devices have unpatched vulnerabilities for many reasons, including patches not being available and difficulties accessing and installing patches. - Vulnerable APIs
APIs are often used as entry points to command-and-control centers from which attacks are launched, such as SQL injection, distributed denial of service (DDoS), man-in-the-middle (MITM), and breaching networks - Weak passwords
IoT devices are commonly shipped with default passwords that many users fail to change, giving cyber criminals easy access. In other cases, users create weak passwords that can be guessed.
Addressing IoT Security Challenges
A holistic approach is required to implement and manage IoT security effectively. It must encompass a variety of tactics and tools as well as take into consideration adjacent systems, such as networks.
Three key capabilities for a robust IoT security solution are the ability to:
- Learn
Take advantage of security solutions that provide network visibility to learn what the ecosystem encompasses at what the risk profiles are for each group of IoT devices. - Protect
Monitor, inspect, and enforce IoT security policies commiserate with activities at different points in the infrastructure - Segment
In the same way that networks are segmented, use segmentation based on policy groups and risk profiles to segment IoT systems.
Specific features required for securing IoT devices include the following:
- API security
- Broader and deep IoT device inventory
- Continuous software updates
- DNS filtering
- Education and training staff, vendors, and partners
- Encryption for data at rest and in transit
- Honeypot decoy programs
- Multi-factor authentication
- Network security
- Network traffic monitoring analysis
- Password management
- Patch management
- Security gateways
- Unauthorized IoT device scans
Enhance IoT Security to Realize Increased Benefits
IoT devices are increasingly being used by individuals and across the enterprise. They are not only here to stay, but proliferating exponentially in more and more forms. The result is increasing complexity, which hampers efforts to manage IoT systems security successfully.
IoT security challenges range from deflecting malicious insiders to defending against nation-state attacks. Because of the inherent vulnerability of IoT devices and the scale of their deployment, attacks continue to grow in scale and scope.
Securing IoT devices is well worth the investment despite the IoT security challenges. The value realized with IoT devices can only be increased with enhanced security to be on par with other technology. It will mitigate risks and increase rewards.
IoT Security Best Practices
The very first step in securing IoT is knowing what is connected. This includes using a device identification and discovery tool that automates three critical IoT security functions.
- Automatically and continuously detects, profiles, and classifies IoT devices on the network
- Maintains a real-time inventory of devices
- Provides relevant risk insights for each of these asset classes by continuously monitoring across attack vectors.
By following these industry best practices for IoT security and adopting leading-edge solutions, you can understand, manage, and secure your complete asset inventory, including IoT.
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