IoT security is a subset of information technology that focuses on securing connected devices and internet of things networks. When bad actors search for IoT security flaws, they have a high probability of hacking vulnerable devices. Industrial and equipment connected to them robots have also been hacked. Hackers can alter control-loop settings, interfere with manufacturing logic, and change the robot’s status of those devices.
While the Internet of Things revolution benefits manufacturers and consumers, it also comes with significant security concerns. As more devices are connected, the difficulty of securing them all increases dramatically. IoT devices require physical security, software, and network integrity to function correctly. Any connected object, from refrigerators to industrial robots, can be hacked without end-to-end security mechanisms.
What is IoT security?
IoT security refers to the various techniques used to secure connected devices. The term “Internet of Things” is comprehensive. With technology continuing to advance, the term has only grown more so. Today, almost every technological device can connect to the internet or other gadgets, from timepieces to thermostats, refrigerators, and video game consoles. IoT security is a collection of methods, tactics, and tools for securing these devices from being hacked.
IoT security is much more extensive than just protecting the Internet of Things devices. This has led to many IoT security solutions falling under the category. API security, public key infrastructure authentication, and network security are just a few methods that IT executives may utilize to combat the increasing danger of cybercrime and terrorism based on insecure IoT devices.
IoT Security by design
Security by design is a way to ensure that security is a primary consideration at every stage of product development and deployment. By keeping security in mind from the start, you can deliver a secure application or system. Products developed with this approach are called “secure by design.”
Security by design entails building security into software and hardware from the ground up rather than as a post-hacking measure. As technology firms continue to produce a slew of IoT goods for customers and businesses, the need for security by design has never been more critical. Because these internet of things gadgets are linked to the internet, they are vulnerable to remote hacking. Furthermore, most of these gadgets were built without any security measures, making them ideal targets for hackers.
Historically, security requirements in hardware deployments and IoT design instances used to be postponed to late phases of development processes. The secure by design approach changes this by favoring security in every development phase, instead prioritizing speed to market.
The security by design approach requires that IoT security be addressed initially. Devices must be secured in the proper location and at the appropriate level to meet each implementation’s requirements.
A secure IoT architecture must start with security design. Secure data encryption, digital signatures of messages, and over-the-air device and security updates require pre-embedded identifiers and encryption keys.
During the design process, security by design strategy applies to establishing a solid foundation of trusted digital device identifiers and credentials securely stored in the foundations of devices. Device cloning, data falsification, theft, or misuse can all be prevented with secure credentials. Organizations can protect extra sensitive IoT applications against physical and digital access attempts by storing IDs and credentials in tamper-resistant bodies.
IoT security challenges
IoT security is an issue for businesses since the devices they deploy are likely to have several security flaws. IoT devices are not always running the most up-to-date version of their operating systems, which implies that the IoT device’s operating systems may contain known vulnerabilities that attackers can use to control or damage these IoT devices.
- IoT devices rarely come with built-in security mechanisms and tools. Because of this, the attacker has an excellent chance of infecting the devices with malware that allows them to use them in an attack or access sensitive data collected and processed by IoT devices.
- Even those designed to be secure and safe, every software must be maintained with updates to function securely or adequately. The unique deployment problems of IoT devices make it unlikely that they will receive regular upgrades. These security gaps make the devices highly vulnerable to targeted attempts.
- IoT devices face several password-related difficulties. Manufacturers frequently set default passwords for their devices, but users do not change them before or after installation. Manufacturers also embed hardcoded passwords in their systems that users cannot modify. The weak passwords used on these IoT devices put them at significant risk. Attackers can just log in to these systems with little effort using these easily guessed passwords or simple brute-force attacks.
- IoT devices are frequently built to be placed in public and remote areas where a hacker may gain physical access to them. This physical access might enable the intruder to go around existing security measures within the device.
- Specific network protocols have been classified as no longer recommended. because of their lack of built-in security. However, IoT devices are notorious for utilizing these unsecured protocols, putting their data and privacy at risk. IoT security is a crucial element of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy since all these threats represent significant risks.
Common cyberattacks targeted against IoT devices
Due to the popularity of these gadgets being put on business networks, IoT devices pose a significant risk to enterprise cybersecurity. These devices are frequently vulnerable to attacks. Cybercriminals have used these flaws to launch various typical assaults on IoT devices. The common IoT attacks are direct exploitation, botnets, and data breaches.
Printers and scanners are common access points to an organization’s network for hackers. Since everyone needs to be able to use the printer, these devices are rarely protected by firewalls and frequently have exceptional permissions. Attackers may use this to gain initial access to a network via the printer, subsequently expanding their access via the corporate network.
IoT devices are computers linked to the internet, allowing them to be used for automated assaults. Hackers might utilize an IoT device to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, attempt to obtain unlawful entry to user accounts via credential stuffing, spread ransomware or other malware, or take various harmful actions against an organization’s systems if a botnet has compromised it.
Sensitive data, significant operations, and cloud subscription services are all common in IoT devices, making them a significant target for hackers. For example, accessing connected cameras or cloud services might allow attackers to obtain potentially sensitive data or other valuable information.
