Factors to Consider When Securing IoT Devices

Smart gadgets seek to make your home smarter and efficient, but you still need to buck up and learn how to secure the connected devices.

Your IoT devices can add a level of convenience to your life, but if not protected properly, it can make your home/office and connected devices vulnerable. That’s why it is critical to have a defense plan to secure your smart home devices.

Point to be noted. The Internet of Things and all the devices connected to the internet through it have open new opportunities for cybercriminals. It means, if you have connected devices, it needs protection.

While the Internet of Things devices is the best innovation in the recent times, that has the ability to unlock great value from the data collected, cybersecurity must be built in from the start, according to a report from the Indiana IoT Lab.

Alison DeNisco Rayome on TechRepublic writes about the below step on how to secure your connected device.

It looks like by the end of 2019 there will be more than 14 billion connected devices in use. It will continue to expand with that number reaching 25 billion by 2021, according to Gartner. While connected devices have the potential to help enterprises unlock great value from the troves of data they collect, they also massively expand the cybersecurity attack landscape, according to the Indiana IoT Lab’s State of IoT report, released Wednesday.

John Roach, director of the data analytics practice at KSM Consulting, wrote in the report “Research shows the vast majority of commonly used IoT devices contain vulnerabilities, including password security, encryption, and authentication issues.

“The key to making IoT a success is balancing innovation with security,” Roach wrote. “All technology involves the acceptance of rational risk, and IoT is no different. The value of IoT, which is increasing and strategic, must be balanced against its risk. An overemphasis on security can limit the potential of IoT and insight that can be derived. A careless or rushed implementation can put organizations and individuals at risk.”

Developing an IoT-ready cybersecurity system involves considering the organization’s broader network, including clients, customers, suppliers, vendors, collaborators, business partners, and former employees, Roach wrote, as failing to protect every part of the business ecosystem can put everyone at risk.

Also, Read:

IoT Devices and a More Secure Future

Here Are 7 Critical Tips You Need To Secure Your IoT Devices

Secure Use Of IoT Devices Questioned Due To Bundled CoAP Protocol