The Internet of Things (IoT) is a rapidly growing area with far-reaching implications. It has the power to transform our world, and its security implications are only just emerging. The stakes are high, and the opportunity is massive, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. To ensure the IoT network remains secure and trustable, organizations need to implement an effective strategy that addresses these key factors. This guide covers the most important aspects of securing the IoT, including best practices for application development, data handling and visibility, as well as cyber threat mitigation strategies. For each security topic, this guide highlights relevant OWASP IoT Top 10 topics and provides detailed information on optimal solutions. By the end of this guide, you will understand how IoT security intersects with other technology areas and all of its implications.
Table of Contents
What is the Internet of Things (IoT), and why is it important?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a growing area of technology with respect to which computer and network security have become of paramount importance. The IoT, also referred to as the Internet of Things, enables a world without barriers. It promises to go beyond the boundaries of the physical or virtual to bring us together through the seamless exchange of data and information. Beyond being a premier source of cyber threats, the IoT also poses major risks due to the fact that it relies on human-in-the-loop security models. The wide adoption of IoT technology and a breakdown in trust due to poor security practices have led to an environment of insecurity. With the advent of the Internet of Things, security became even more of an issue.
What are the main risks in the IoT?
The main risks in the IoT are represented by the following: Lack of technical skills: IoT developers are usually software engineers with limited experience in cryptography, operating systems or cybersecurity. This could lead to vulnerabilities in the form of attacks that could be used to infiltrate networks by imposing unauthorized access points and controlling equipment from a distance.
Lack of interoperability: The functionality of different networks and systems needs to be considered when developing an application. This might lead to restrictions on the functionality or design of an application due to different security requirements in different networks or systems.
Inaccurate data: Data transmission and reception can be affected by external factors such as time of day, weather conditions, operational changes and more.
How to secure the IoT
To secure the IoT, you need to create an environment where every device is secure from the onset. In order to achieve this, you need to understand the security model of the device and the surrounding networks. You should also have a strategy in place for controlling access to data and commands within the device and the surrounding networks. Finally, you should have a clear approach for managing the security of the device and the surrounding networks, both within your organization and in the ecosystem of which the device is part. You will get all the best strategies at Appsealing
Best practices for securing the IoT
The first step towards securing the IoT is to understand it better. This is done by creating a security model that accounts for the device and the surrounding networks. This model should account for essential devices such as applications, networks, hosts, and services. Nowadays, the design of secure systems is based on two pillars: cryptography and device management. Cryptography plays an essential role in securing the IoT. It ensures that data is protected from eavesdropping and that commands and data are not stored in an easily accessible way. It is therefore important to understand the encryption and decryption process of data in order to secure it properly. Device management is used to protect the device from various threats such as hacking, malicious software or malicious physical events. Device management is mainly done via configuration, authentication and authorization. It is best to implement a well-thought device management system that will be able to secure the IoT.
The security of the IoT can be compromised in many ways, including:
Malicious Physical Events: An attacker can take some of the IoT devices and turn them on. Once all the different settings are put into place, these devices will support all of these commands. A simple voltage or magnetic detector trigger may bring on a light or an air conditioner to turn on. At no time will the system only have one light or air conditioner working, they are connected, and any combination of them functions as desired. An attacker may also be able to practically “plug in” to a system via short-wave pulses and manipulate it into changing white balancing and dimming lights on cameras or knocking away security systems to attack their targets themselves.
A simple example and means for accessing this kind of sensitive data are using a tablet that is wired into your home for security purposes (corner lock). You can connect many different peripherals, such as your home alarm sensor and digital outlet, into the system completely, leaving no way for outside interference from drawing power from certain sources to overpower the system’s own sources. The result is that you can easily circumvent what seemed like an impenetrable security gate with a cheap digital tablet device you don’t really need outside factoring in where the product does not define what it is used for and how trusted it really could be by other owners in your home who might not think about all of this technology as new basic everyday use by people rather than any form of concern regarding security happening at every moment while they sleep
Cyber threat mitigation strategies
The most important aspect of securing the IoT is to implement effective strategies for mitigating cyber threats. Among others, the following cyber threat mitigation strategies are useful for securing the IoT: Enable cyber threat detection and mitigation tools. Establish cyber threat detection and mitigation teams that are responsible for implementing solutions when detected. Install and maintain effective cyber threat detection and mitigation software. Deploy and maintain effective access control systems. Use strong passwords and other authentication methods. Conduct regular backups and restore operations in a timely manner. Take precautions to limit exposure to information and devices that are prone to cyber threats.
Concluding thoughts
The Internet of Things promises to be a powerful source of value for both businesses and consumers. It will bring about a world without boundaries, where everything is connected. It also means that hackers and malicious actors will be able to infiltrate networks and steal data. The challenge for every organization is to ensure that their networks remain secure and that trust is restored with every new device that is connected to the network. The Internet of Things is huge and promises to be a force for good. However, with so much potential for positive change, it’s critical that we do all we can to ensure that its security benefits are worth the risk.
