What you should know about IoT security management

Almost 20% of companies sustained a minimum of one IoT-based attack in just the last three years. This was revealed in a survey that global research company Gartner conducted. Furthermore, a recent study conducted by HP Security revealed that about 90% of IoT devices tend to obtain some form of personal information. It is also crucial to note that in the same year, more than 155.8 million people situated in America were subject to data exposures in the year 2020. Thus, tackling IoT security issues must be a priority for solutions proposed by any IoT security company. Needless to say, the number of security measures that must be integrated is associated with the significance and sensitivity of the data and systems that will be accessed by the IoT solution.

IoT Security threats on different layers

It is possible to categorize IoT security into three primary groups, and there is a need to actualize the best practices across each of them to mitigate the problems attributed to IoT security issues:

I. Device

For appropriately securing an IoT solution on the device layer, it is important for companies to be sure that the tangible characteristics, along with technological properties, such as firmware, operating systems, and applications operating on the device, remain secure. When it comes to properties associated with the software, possible issues underlying security must be taken into account during the design process for updating the firmware and protecting the device from access and changes in the configuration that are unwanted.

Furthermore, a few IoT devices are small in size, and their memory and resources for the processing of information and supporting advanced security features must be limited. In such cases, companies can consider cloud-based IoT security solutions.

II. Communications

For proper safeguarding of the communications layer underlying an IoT solution, companies should think about executing solutions that are both infrastructure-centric and data-centric.

Typically, network infrastructure security is verified with the network connectivity providers of a company. When interacting with the connectivity providers, businesses must consider encryption methods, as well as firewall technologies. Furthermore, they must check whether every server, as well as network elements within the company’s network, are updated to remain equipped with modern security patches.

When it comes to data-centric security for IoT devices, data encryption is typically prioritized while formulating the best practice solutions. With the help of encryption, IoT data is protected from getting accessed and read since it goes through several networks, such as the public Internet.

Some examples that make sure that the transmitted data maintain authenticity and integrity include site-to-site Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions, along with data signing solutions.

III. Application

Throughout the process of development, application security must be taken into consideration, as with other layers, for the protection of web, mobile, and cloud components. To protect IoT solution, some best practices include:

• Code analysis tools for the automatic inspection of source code and to recognize possible security flaws

• Application updates that are timely and automated for the quick and efficient updating of applications to ensure safeguarding against new virus attacks or other potential security-based risks

• Key exchange solutions ensuring that IoT application security keys are securely updated.

• Certificate enrollment solutions for ensuring that every IoT device has a unique identifier and for the verification of this identifier before facilitating systems or network access.

IoT vulnerabilities and security issues

Everyday IoT operations are effectively handled by Command and control (C&C) centers and APIs. The result is that several weak and vulnerable spots are created by their centralized nature, such as:

• Unpatched vulnerabilities — Typically, devices tend to operate on outdated software due to connectivity issues or the requirement for end-users to download each update manually from a C&C center. The result is that such devices remain prone to novel IoT security issues.
• Weak authentication — Often, manufacturers tend to sell IoT devices that have simple passwords, which are left unchanged by vendors and end-users. When these devices are open to remote access, they are prone to attackers who run automated scripts in order to execute bulk exploitation.
• Vulnerable APIs — Since APIs function as a gateway to a C&C center, they are often targeted by several threats, such as API-targeting attacks.

Must-have best practices for overcoming IoT security challenges

1. Manage operational risk: Evaluates an attack’s risk and its effect on the IoT ecosystem for understanding the strength of the security. For instance, a system capable of monitoring, regulating, and automating machinery on a floor of the plant needs protocols that are stricter when compared to a sensor that tends to turn the lights on and off within a conference room.
2. Limit device-to-device communication: Note this: if there are multiple devices interacting with each other, the possibility of disrupting a connection point and entering the IoT network is greater. The majority of devices have just one purpose, which is transmitting data to one collection point. By selecting the devices that engage in two-way exchanges, the companies can limit the IoT security issues to a small area within a huge ecosystem.
3. Control the IoT infrastructure: Choose devices equipped with security features that you require or that can be assessed in terms of how they operate and how the security gaps can be closed. In a few cases, it is possible for IoT devices to be upgraded automatically across a secure connection, or the company can be enabled to determine the updates’ timing, frequency, and delivery.
4. Use encryption from end-to-end: Communication between various devices and data-consumption points must be encrypted to protect against unauthorized listening, tampering, spoofing, manipulating, and recovering of sensitive data. This process must be attached to the device identity for ensuring that the data emerges from the delegated device.
5. Seek out and consider the latest expertise: Leverage tested security technologies, tools, and best practices within your IoT system, along with your IT landscape. Typically, such tactics can be executed directly using digital certificates. Restricting methodologies are also possible on the basis of the devices’ function as well as communication flow, or mechanisms can be integrated to protect and monitor. In a few cases, wherein microcontrollers and low-power networks are present; it is possible to create new approaches using principles and concepts that also exist.

Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash

Final thoughts

To launch a successful IoT program devoid of IoT security issues, it is important to identify and prevent various security risks by taking into account the several connected things that are diverse in nature. It is important to build security into solutions for encompassing several things, such as new endpoint devices, gateways, applications, cloud services, and “factory/hospital/store shelf-as-data-center”-type models. This is a crucial issue for IoT, based on Juniper Research, which predicted that IoT security spend can rise by 300% by 2023.