IoT, The Internet of Things, is a new technological frontier as businesses seek ways to be more competitive in their markets. It offers a new level of convenience and automation, but the same connectivity comes with security risks.
Buying a coffee maker or a trendy refrigerator because they are smart devices that connect to the internet (IoT) and “make life easier” is a reality in many homes around the world, and the average consumer does not question how safe or unsafe it can be to have that device connected to the internet (and hopefully with the default credentials).
They may even have a security camera to make their home more protected from crime, when the truth is that each of these devices, if not managed correctly, can be a wide open door to crime and could eventually represent a series of risks.
According to Gartner estimates made in 2017, by 2020 there would be approximately 20.4 billion connected things around the world. And according to Aruba Networks, (The Internet of Things: Today & Tomorrow, 2017), 84% of companies that have adopted IoT have experienced a security breach, as can be seen in the image below:
Due to this, we must take security in IoT more seriously, since a few years ago developers and manufacturing companies are taking security with greater concern, in fact, in 2019, 38% of developers were more concerned about security than other issues, this brings several benefits because it makes us as users feel safer.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done, because the more connected devices, the less clear information and the more IoT penetration without adequate controls, the more insecurity it represents for the population.
So for now to minimize the security risk in the IoT as users we must be aware of the dangers that can bring us the use of these devices and manage them in the best way in our homes, without underestimating if it is a printer.
As companies we must strengthen in terms of information in our collaborators of the drawbacks that this could bring us and establish necessary controls to ensure that we will have problems in the future. And if we were manufacturers, the recommendation is to think about taking IoT security more seriously and understand that there are all kinds of people out there, some who want to simplify their lives and others who want to take advantage of the small security flaws they leave behind.
Some of the measures that can mitigate or lessen cybersecurity issues with IoT devices include:
- Changing the default credentials of IoT devices
- Create strong passwords
- Update the firmware to the latest version
- Keep IoT device applications updated to the latest version
- Disable features and functionalities that are not to be used
- Incorporate secure communication channels through cryptography
- Constantly train and make employees aware of the proper use of information and cybersecurity
By protecting our IoT devices from potential attacks we are helping to protect all organizational or personal information. It is important to take into consideration important things or have an ally to help you and your organization to be always safe. Looking for one? Here we are.