Why IoT In The Enterprise Is a Vulnerable (and Broadening) Attack Surface

• By Junaid Tariq
• 28-12-2021
• Internet of Things

IoT vulnerabilities are posing new hurdles for businesses to address. Due to the obvious extended battery life of IoT devices, as well as issues about network access and privacy, solutions will have to be as unique as the difficulties.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming increasingly important to businesses, not just to deliver services to customers, but also to maintain connections with workers, partners, contractors, and even rivals. However, there is growing worried that businesses are rushing to capitalize on the IoT's benefits without fully understanding its hazards or taking efforts to address even basic security concerns.

If the previous several years have taught us anything, it's that our personal information and critical systems are incredibly vulnerable to theft and manipulation. Organizations that fail to take proactive efforts to safeguard user privacy and guarantee that systems operate in a secure environment risk not only significant commercial loss and reputational harm but also legal and criminal consequences.

In Business Contexts

The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing more popular. The Eclipse Foundation's 2021 IoT and Edge Commercial Adoption Survey found that 47 percent of the 300 IoT and edge experts polled have already integrated IoT in their businesses. A further 39% say they want to do so during the next 24 months.

Regrettably, like with other aspects of cybersecurity, device manufacturers and organizations that utilize them frequently disregard IoT security. On the other hand, successful IoT cyber security needs a collaborative strategy in which all stakeholders collaborate to enhance the security of devices and their uses:

End-user organizations (i.e., businesses that install, maintain, and employ devices in their environments), as well as developers and manufacturers, must take precautions to make IoT systems secure.

Addressing IoT Attack Vulnerabilities

Manufacturers and enterprises that use IoT devices should take several essential actions to better prepare their environments for IoT device attacks:

Make sure to modify default settings, such as any access credentials necessary for communications, when creating or acquiring IoT devices.

Utilize the most updated IoT component versions. Hackers rapidly learn which components have known flaws and concentrate on simple targets. If you're going to update the devices electronically, make sure you use security precautions when doing so.

Make security a priority. Consider the security of each component of the attack surface. It should not be an afterthought when developing and installing IoT devices, but rather a major priority. Access codes and credentials should be changed on a regular basis, much like corporate computer systems, to avoid vulnerability.

Best practices include replacing default credentials and updating IoT accounts on a regular basis.

Make use of software tools. Without contacting IT departments, many gadgets might be ordered and deployed. Implement sophisticated software that identifies the existence of IoT devices on the network to reduce susceptibility from such IoT devices. This not only informs security personnel of the presence of these devices but also allows them to assess their security settings and functioning.

It's also crucial to have physical security. Security cameras and other IoT devices may be physically tampered with to load malicious software or even change hardware components to data breaches. Lock up such devices or store them in an area where access is restricted.

It's important to remember that while these devices may appear to have limited impact or visibility, it's precisely those characteristics that make them appealing to attackers. They must be as secure as PCs and other wireless devices since they communicate through your network.

Conclusion

One thing is certain concerning IoT security: failure is not an option. We've already arrived at a position where the Internet of Things is providing a necessary connection for a wide range of important, life-sustaining tasks, from driverless automobiles to pacemakers.

People will die if these gadgets are hacked; it's as simple as that. We must question why, if IoT security is so vital (and it is), it fails time and time again. When it comes to business IoT installations today, it appears that the same fundamental mistakes are being made over and over again.

Security has typically been an afterthought in the IT business, which is a terrible statement in the industry. Considering the recent data breaches, it would be the height of foolishness to unleash a brand-new data ecosystem on the world only for it to become easy prey for hackers trying to profit off other people's misery. It's also crucial to understand that IoT security is a continuous process. It necessitates constant attention on the part of the information security personnel as well as the business stakeholders, whose interests are ultimately served by safeguarding firm data.