Cybercrime is rampant. Annual damage done by hackers is estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars worldwide. And companies using the Internet of things (IoT) in their processes are potentially exposed to cyberattacks. Hackers are increasingly targeting IoT devices as entry points to corporate networks. Internet-connected digital machines, vehicles, sensors, and other physical objects are at risk without proper protection mechanisms.
IoT cybersecurity is a technology segment responsible for protecting interconnected devices. It includes various protective measures, actions, methods, and solutions. Today, this is one of the most important aspects of the successful functioning of IoT network connections and companies as a whole.
The conception of traditional cybersecurity revolves around software and ways of its implementation. But the Internet of things further expands it, as IoT networks are about digital and the physical worlds colliding. And the previous reliable protective wall between these worlds is disappearing. As a result, cyber attacks can have real consequences for businesses.
Cybersecurity professionals call an ever-growing number of interrelated devices and various ways to connect – the expansion of the area prone to attacks. And regular protection mechanisms, such as firewalls and antiviruses, can’t be applied to IoT systems that become more complex and distributed. Providing smart device security is problematic for several reasons. That’s why the Internet of things requires a different spectrum of actions to remove potential vulnerabilities. We will look at them in detail later in this article.
We have already spoken that the more connected devices and their connection methods within one IoT network, the more potential vectors to attack. Ultimately, the entire system’s security may be diminished to the level of the least secure device. And this is only one challenge IoT security faces. Organizations must know about all existing difficulties and issues for reliable systems protection in the future.
One of the most dangerous IoT system threats caused by insecure communications is the possibility of a “Man-in-the-Middle” (MitM) attack. For example, when a sensor communicates with the platform, a hacker could obtain a position on the network path between an IoT device and its endpoint. Further, an attacker can steal sensitive data, inspect the network traffic, compromise an update procedure, or even take control of an IoT device to install malware.
Companies should use strong data encryption to ensure confidentiality. Digital certificates reduce the possibility of data interception. Ans without it, a device cannot authenticate or communicate with the platform. But encrypted data doesn’t provide a 100% guarantee of the absence of system weaknesses. IoT security risks also may be present if the encryption is incomplete or misconfigured.
One of the common problems of IoT cybersecurity is weak and default passwords. The fact is that all IoT devices of the same model are delivered with the same default login credentials. And most users don’t change them, thus giving easy access to cyber criminals. Moreover, users usually create weak passwords that can also be easily guessed.
Continuous software updates are essential for IoT security standards. And if new hardware devices may be secure at the time of purchase, this does not mean that they can’t become vulnerable with time. The lack of regular updates or various faults in downloading the new version is prone to adverse impacts on IoT cybersecurity.
The state of physical IoT devices also plays an important role the network security. Dangerous connections, unsecured devices connected to a network, and compliance violations endanger companies’ safety. The task of the OT Manager is to ensure timely device checking and download security patches. It is also important to set up alerts that provide information about unexpected unplugging or attempted security breaches. Without this, managers can’t monitor a deployed network of objects and keep their security up-to-date. In the worst case, it can leave connected devices vulnerable, outdated, and non-compliant.
Today, IoT security experts observe a tendency to use many different IoT devices running various software and applying multiple ways to connect. Such heterogeneity poses a problem in updating and controlling all network elements. And for many companies with production IoT deployments, it creates IoT security threats. In this case, it is necessary to use special software solutions to make this process simpler.
Below are a few IoT security measures enterprises should use to improve their data protection protocols.
Most of the IoT security challenges mentioned above can be prevented by taking appropriate measures already in the early stages. For this purpose, specialists must do careful preparation during the research and development of IoT devices.
Most IoT devices are delivered with default privacy and security settings. This is also crucial for IoT security. Managers must check and change them, as some could be profitable for a vendor only.
All IoT devices connected to a network should be tamper-resistant. Therefore, default passwords that can be known to fraudsters must be changed before using them. However, in doing so, apply only strong and secure passwords that can not be hacked.
One of the effective ways to improve IoT cybersecurity is to create a guest network. This separate wireless network allows visitors to connect to the internet without accessing the main network. Separating traffic can help keep sensitive data and devices safe from potential threats.
Public key infrastructure (PKI) is one more method to safeguard client-server connections between IoT devices. With a two-key asymmetric cryptosystem, PKI can promote the encryption and decryption of private messages.
Application Programming Interfaces allow IoT devices to communicate with each other, making them a fundamental part of networks. However, they also present a significant security risk if not properly secured. Inadequate API security can lead to data breaches and malicious activities that could compromise the entire IoT system. To mitigate these risks, measures must be carried out, including authentication, authorization, encryption, and access control.
All new IoT devices must be delivered with up-to-date software. Moreover, they must have an update feature to prevent any vulnerabilities that become known after device deployment. Security experts should thoroughly scan and test any third-party software or hardware. And as security weaknesses are discovered and resolved, it is important to distribute the updated version.
When developing an IoT cybersecurity strategy, it is necessary to consider one more important point. Experts recommend using blockchain as a basic approach. The technology is a decentralized storage that allows transparent information in a digital format keeping and sharing within a network. It has multiple entry points instead of one.
As each node is any IoT device that stores a copy of the blockchain, an attack on one or more nodes does not affect the other. Moreover, the technology protects against data falsification by limiting access to IoT devices. This default feature allows compromised machines in the IoT ecosystem to be shut down.
An IoT cybersecurity breach can happen in any area and any industry. At the same time, the extent of damage largely depends on a particular system and collected data. Below are three main areas in IoT systems where threats and serious vulnerabilities may exist.
Stuxnet is a powerful and malicious computer worm uncovered in 2010. Until now, no country has yet claimed responsibility for this malware. But it is widely believed that U.S. and Israeli intelligence jointly developed Stuxnet. Security professionals call it one of the first IoT attacks that target supervisory control and data acquisition systems. And it is believed to be responsible for causing substantial damage to Iran’s nuclear program. Then the worm infected more than two hundred thousand computers and caused the physical degradation of machines. Stuxnet consists of three modules – a worm, a link file, and a rootkit component. The malware is usually introduced to the target IoT device via an infected USB flash drive.
The malware turns IoT devices running Linux into remotely controlled bots. It usually aims at consumer devices such as IP cameras and network routers. First, smart devices infected by Mirai continuously scan the internet for the IP address of IoT devices. Then, it identifies vulnerable gadgets using common device manufacturers’ default usernames and passwords and logs into them to infect them with the malware. After an IoT security system attack, Mirai will identify any other malware, remove it from memory, and block remote administration ports.
In April 2021, Tasmanian casino operator Federal Group suffered a data leak affecting the personal information of thousands of customers. The vulnerability of IoT cybersecurity was discovered only after the failure of slot machines and hotel booking systems. And at the time of the hack, the company was unsure whether clients’ credit card information had also been compromised. The breach reportedly involved a third-party contractor accessing the company’s systems. The full extent of the damage is still unclear.
As the Internet of Things continues to revolutionize how we live, work, and interact with the world around us, it’s essential to prioritize IoT cybersecurity. Unfortunately, with an ever-increasing number of IoT devices, there are more opportunities for hackers and cybercriminals to exploit device vulnerabilities and gain access to sensitive information. In addition, a lot of new potential threats emerge every day.
However, companies and manufacturers can prevent cyber risks by implementing robust IoT security measures. Encryption, authentication, and network segmentation can safeguard against potential breaches and data theft. Ultimately, the success of IoT adoption will depend exactly on the ability to secure it.
