Security is the second biggest concern in IoT implementation – Here’s what you can do

If it wasn’t for security concerns, IoT would be a much bigger part of our lives and businesses. That’s the verdict of 26% of business executives in a survey, and it certainly seems on point as a fear for our privacy and security is the biggest concern holding IoT back, next only to cost.

With the volume of data we share with our gadgets increasing colossally every day, some really stringent security measures need to be taken, to keep every exchange safe and private, says Jaykishan Panchal is a content marketing strategist at MoveoApps.

The year 2017 was particularly eye-opening for those concerned about IoT security. Some pretty serious breaches left people wondering how safe their digital as well as physical safety is. Things can take a fairly ugly turn when criminals hack into a building’s heating system and crash it, leaving the residents freezing in sub-zero temperatures for nearly two weeks! That is what happened in Finland last year.

While the Fins managed to restart their heating in two weeks, the Mirai Botnet managed to single-handedly take down giants like Twitter, Netflix, Spotify, Etsy and Github, in a sweeping DDoS attack. Another attack named Brickerbot too launched DDoS attacks and killed a number of IoT devices.

These are just a few of the many incidents that have time and again shown that IoT security needs to be dealt with in a much better manner, so that businesses feel more comfortable adopting IoT. Here are a few ways IoT security can be improved, ensuring the utmost level of privacy and security for the business as well as the consumers:

  • Passwords

In both BrickerBot and Mirai Botnet, as well as in several other major breaches, the one vulnerability that was most often exploited was weak passwords. It was observed the so very often, the consumers never changed the default password that came with the device.

Businesses need to program IoT devices in such a way that a user is compelled to change the default password before being able to use the device, and also update it every three or six months as appropriate. Just a step as simple as changing the password can go a long way in ensuring security.

  • Encryption

Every bit of data that is being collected or exchanged by IoT devices must be encrypted. Encrypting the data makes sure that even if a criminal is able to intercept it, they cannot decode and use that data. A number of small IoT devices tend to partially or entirely skip this step and hence render the data highly vulnerable.

  • Build security into the design

Security isn’t an add-on feature that can be inserted in the end. Manufacturers need to pay critical attention to security right from the design stage. Both the hardware and the software need to be shielded with ample security measures. No one should ever be able to remote control a Jeep and shut down its engine. It happens often that manufacturers ship their hardware with chips that have no space for patches or firmware upgrades. That must be a taboo for IoT devices.

  • Provide lifetime firmware upgrades

With the sheer numbers of machines, gadgets and devices we use in our daily lives today, it is unrealistic to expect the customers to get each device upgraded manually. IoT devices must come with lifetime firmware upgrades.

Recently, positive steps have been taken in this direction, with experts pushing for a standardised secure framework called IoT Firmware Update Architecture that lays down certain ground rules that all IoT manufacturers must abide by. This could be a good starting point for making IoT devices more secure in the future.

  • Allow consumers to update their devices
Jaykishan Panchal

Often, IoT devices have no way for a consumer to upgrade the firmware. Most IoT devices are small and compact, with very little screen, no keyboard and a rather complex interface. This makes the customer completely overlook the need to secure the devices or take necessary steps on their part. Most don’t have a clue about how to change passwords or upgrade firmware. Manufacturers need to come up with more user friendly designs.

Conclusion

IoT security has become an integral part of consumers’ lives now, and its influence will only increase. Businesses cannot shy away from confronting the problem anymore. The steps listed above are an easy way to ensure safer, more secure IoT powering our progress. All it takes is an open minded willingness to make security a critical part of the design process, so that cybercriminals won’t get away with stealing data and denying access.

The author of this blog is Jaykishan Panchal is a content marketing strategist at MoveoApps

About the author:

Jaykishan Panchal is a content marketing strategist at MoveoApps, a Mobile app development company.He enjoys writing about Technology,marketing & industry trends, he is tech enthusiast and love to explore new stuff.

Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow OR @jcIoTnow

RECENT ARTICLES

Semtech enhances global connectivity with NTN support in HL78 modules

Posted on: March 29, 2024

Semtech Corporation has announced the integration of non-terrestrial network (NTN) support into its HL series LPWA modules, specifically the HL7810 and HL7812. This significant advancement showcases a leap forward in enabling uninterrupted global connectivity even amidst the most challenging conditions.

Read more

Enhance EV charging performance with cellular connectivity

Posted on: March 28, 2024

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily growing their market share at the expense of internal combustion engine vehicles. The growth is fuelled by several factors. Perhaps most importantly, prices for EVs have started to drop as competition in the industry is intensifying. New players and models are emerging, prompting several established EV makers to lower their

Read more
FEATURED IoT STORIES

What is IoT? A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on: April 5, 2023

What is IoT? IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the connection of everyday objects, or “things,” to the internet, allowing them to collect, transmit, and share data. This interconnected network of devices transforms previously “dumb” objects, such as toasters or security cameras, into smart devices that can interact with each other and their

Read more

The IoT Adoption Boom – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on: September 28, 2022

In an age when we seem to go through technology boom after technology boom, it’s hard to imagine one sticking out. However, IoT adoption, or the Internet of Things adoption, is leading the charge to dominate the next decade’s discussion around business IT. Below, we’ll discuss the current boom, what’s driving it, where it’s going,

Read more

9 IoT applications that will change everything

Posted on: September 1, 2021

Whether you are a future-minded CEO, tech-driven CEO or IT leader, you’ve come across the term IoT before. It’s often used alongside superlatives regarding how it will revolutionize the way you work, play, and live. But is it just another buzzword, or is it the as-promised technological holy grail? The truth is that Internet of

Read more

Which IoT Platform 2021? IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide

Posted on: August 30, 2021

There are several different parts in a complete IoT solution, all of which must work together to get the result needed, write IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide – Which IoT Platform 2021? authors Robin Duke-Woolley, the CEO and Bill Ingle, a senior analyst, at Beecham Research. Figure 1 shows these parts and, although not all

Read more

CAT-M1 vs NB-IoT – examining the real differences

Posted on: June 21, 2021

As industry players look to provide the next generation of IoT connectivity, two different standards have emerged under release 13 of 3GPP – CAT-M1 and NB-IoT.

Read more

IoT and home automation: What does the future hold?

Posted on: June 10, 2020

Once a dream, home automation using iot is slowly but steadily becoming a part of daily lives around the world. In fact, it is believed that the global market for smart home automation will reach $40 billion by 2020.

Read more

5 challenges still facing the Internet of Things

Posted on: June 3, 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) has quickly become a huge part of how people live, communicate and do business. All around the world, web-enabled devices are turning our world into a more switched-on place to live.

Read more