The Technology of
IoT security is concerned with safe connected devices and networks in the
internet of things. It has aunique
identifier and the ability to transfer data over a network automatically.
Allowing devices to connect to the internet opens them up to a number of
serious vulnerabilities if they are not properly protected. Introducing security
measures is critical to ensuring the safety of networks with IoT devices which
is connected to them.
IoT
security challenges
A number of
challenges prevent the securing of IoT devices and where app developers or app
development companies were ensuring end-to-end security in an IoT environment.
Additionally, because IoT is a nascent market, many product designers and
manufacturers are more interested in getting their products to market quickly,
rather than taking the necessary steps to build security in from the start.
However, as legacy
assets that likely have not been updated or ever had security against modern
threats, the attack surface is expanded.
In terms of
updates, many systems only include support for a set timeframe. New security
can lapse if more support is not added. When we are adding IoT device it in a
network for years it is a challenge to control. Industries may have their own
specific standards, while certain segments, such as industrial IoT, have
proprietary, incompatible with other platform. The variety of these standards
makes it difficult to not only secure systems, but also ensure interoperability
between them.IT teams with the proper skill sets should be put in charge of IoT
security.
What industries are most
vulnerable to IoT security threats?
IoT security hacks can happen in any industry, from smart home to
a manufacturing plant to a connected car. The severity of impact depends
greatly on the individual system, the data collected and/or the information it
contains.
An attack disabling the brakes of a connected car, for example, or
on a connected health device, such as an insulin pump hacked to administer too
much medication to a patient, can be life-threatening. Likewise, an attack on a
refrigeration system housing medicine that is monitored by an IoT system can
ruin the viability of a medicine if temperatures fluctuate. Similarly, an
attack on critical infrastructure -- an oil well, energy grid or water supply
-- can be disastrous.
Other attacks, however, cannot be underestimated. For example, an
attack against smart door locks could potentially allow a burglar to enter a
smart home. Or, in other scenarios such as the 2013 Target hack or other
security breaches, an attacker could pass malware through a connected system --
an HVAC system in Target's case -- to scrape personally identifiable
information, wreaking havoc for those affected.
Things to keep in
mind on the security level;
Network security on
IoT: IoT devices which are connected to the backend
systems of the internet must be protected and secured is said to be network
security on IoT. But it is a challenging task than the ordinary network
security because it consists of wider range of communication protocols and its
standards of device capabilities which can bring a significant trouble. It also
consists of security issues like firewalls, antimalware, and intrusion
prevention and detection systems.
Authentication on IoT: The user
ability is to authenticate an IoT device which includes managing the multiple
users of a single device such as, ranging from simple static password to more
robust authentication mechanisms like two-factor authentication and biometrics
must be provided. Without any human intervention or disturbance in the business
networks where the authentication processes involve a human being entering a
credential, many IoT authentication scenarios such as embedded sensors must be
in a form of machine-to-machine based system.
Encryption: Encrypting data at rest and in transit between IoT edge devices and
back-end systems using standard cryptographic algorithms, helping maintain data
integrity and preventing data sniffing by hackers. The ability to have standard
encryption processes and protocols must have a wider range of IoT devices and
hardware profiles limits. Moreover, all IoT encryption must be accompanied by
equivalent full encryption key lifecycle management processes, since poor key
management will reduce overall security.
Security Analytics
on IoT: IoT security analytics will increasingly be
required to detect, aggregate, monitor and normalizing the data from IoT devices
which provides an action to reporting and help us to alert on any specific
activities which don’t obey rule of system policies. To get more predictive
modelling and detection of the solution AI technique to the system must be add which
gives us a predictive analysis and reduce the number of false positives.
API Security on IoT: Providing
the ability to authenticate and authorize data movement between IoT devices,
back-end systems, and applications using documented REST-based APIs. API
security will be essential for protecting the integrity of data transiting
between edge devices and back-end systems to ensure that only authorized devices,
developers, and apps were communicating with the threats that detecting against
potential and attacks against the APIs.
For example, Suggestions to make your smart home more
secure
1. Selection on Router Name
Not to follow the
easy or a name provided by the manufacturer, give an unusual name which is
difficult to remember or understand.
2. Encryption method for Wi-Fi must be difficult
Follow a strong
encryption method in router settings, like WPA2, when you started to access and
set up the Wi-Fi network. This makes your network to be secure.
3. Set up a guest network
Maintain your Wi-Fi
account to be private that no one can access like visitors, friends and
relatives can log which means the other network doesn’t tie into your IoT
devices.
4. Change default usernames and passwords
Cybercriminals
probably already know the default passwords that come with many IoT products.
That makes it easy for them to access your IoT devices and, potentially, the
information on them. Are you considering a device that doesn’t allow you to
change the default password? Then consider a different one.
5. Use strong, unique passwords for Wi-Fi networks and device accounts
Don’t have words
which is easy to pronounce or a common words which may related to simple like password”
or “123456.Instaed of that you must use a complex variables which must include
with various symbols, numbers, and alphabet to make your secure level more harder
to find out by other.
6. Check the setting for your devices
Each settings of
your network must be handled properly with more secured way. Make sure to
change or to know handle the default settings from the manufacture which is more
strength to security level.
7. Keep your software up to date
Software update is
nothing a but simple task like buying a new smartphone and later on it asks to
update it, don’t put off installing it. It might be a patch for a security
flaw. It is important, since you may connect to your smart home through mobile
devices. Your IoT device makers also may send you updateor you might have to
visit their websites to check for them.
8. Watch out for outages
Ensure that a
hardware outage does not result in an unsecure state for the device. More IoT
devices are going to be used for different purpose. Think to use the devices of
IoT with more secure and more aware to not interference with the network issue.
Coda Words:
There are lot of IoT devices or IoT based app
are trending which is going to be buzz in future. Hope the Information which I
have gathered may give some awareness about IoT security.
Author Bio:
Melissa Crooks is Content Writer who writes
for Hyperlink InfoSystem, one of the leading app development companies in New York, USA & India that holds the
best team of skilled and expert app developers. She is a versatile tech writer
and loves exploring latest technology trends, entrepreneur and startup column.
She also writes for top
app development companies.
COMMENTS