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The Internet of Things (IoT) is essentially a network of devices that are interconnected to function as a larger unit. At home, you might have your alarm clock trigger your toaster to prepare a piece of toast or or your coffee maker a cup of java by the time you get downstairs. At the office, though, the stakes are a little higher. We’ll look at how IoT works, its security weaknesses, and how to be proactive about protecting your systems.
IoT relies on sensors to both gather data and act on it. Because it offers new, more efficient ways to conduct business, it’s quickly grown in popularity. In fact, many employees might be surprised at the complexity of the web in even smaller offices. The IoT can create new revenue streams and optimize the customer experience without risking a company’s budget. However, because there’s so much information being collected and so many interconnected devices, the odds that one of the devices will be compromised rises exponentially.
In many ways, the risks of IoT are innumerable. Every new feature or device introduces multiple pathways for a scrupulous hacker to exploit. Criminals love to see businesses use IoT devices because it makes it that much easier for them to find their way into a company’s system.
Now that more people are working from home than ever before (and using many of their own devices to do so), it’s no wonder attacks are on the rise. Right now, the Dark Web (AKA the haven for cybercriminals to discuss tactics) is rife with discussions on network vulnerabilities and the best ways to take advantage of them.
Why are IoT devices so targeted? The answer is simple human error. When developers are designing hardware and software for these devices, it’s relatively easy for them to make an error. The problem is that the risk multiplies when these products are then connected to so many additional devices.
Successful ones will run periodic updates to correct these issues, but no buyer should count on the developer finding the problem before they do. The most common threats in IoT include:
IoT hacks take place all over the world and to organizations of all sizes, and the consequences can be vicious. In 2018, a variety of countries were unable to access the internet when a bot flooded the network with excess traffic. In 2010, hackers disabled devices used to make nuclear material in Iran. In 2017, cybercriminals attacked implanted pacemakers. They could not only steal information from it, they could actually change the settings of a device that kept people alive.
When you use IoT, being proactive is your only option. Keeping attackers at bay starts with the following:
The strengths and weaknesses for security and privacy in IoT depend on the system you have. While there’s no such thing as preventing all attacks, it pays to mitigate threats to an IoT network by paying more attention to your processes and systems. The more vigilant you are, the fewer problems you’ll have.
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