Internet of Things Security: How to protect your solution

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to Internet-connected devices is the possibility of hacking, which could lead to the loss of key data. Today, in the era of IoT technology, when attackers are constantly looking for more sophisticated ways to access user data, it is clear that IoT security should be one of the core priorities for development companies.

 The number of IoT-connected devices worldwide is growing positively. While the number is currently about 15 billion, it is expected to exceed 29 billion by 2030. They vary, but the main methods of ensuring their safety remain the same. While some problems may be caused by user behavior, manufacturers and software developers should address many vulnerabilities at the system design stage.

 Major Internet of Things risks

First, it is important to understand what problems and risks you may face when using IoT systems. If you work with a reliable IoT development company, you are warned about them, because professional software engineers should understand them and know how to handle them. Their work proves this, and Cogniteq's Internet of Things development is one of the examples of these words.

·  Low authentication requirements. If your password is weak, the risk of having your account or device hacked is fairly high. That may sound surprising, but many IoT devices are not password-protected at all, making it very easy for hackers to access them.

·  The old version of software. Some IoT-driven systems use software that was not originally developed to be compatible with cloud technology or were unable to support modern encryption standards. This is why it is very risky to use such applications in IoT solutions.

·  Lack of timely firmware updates. It is necessary to update firmware regularly and fix them immediately after all errors are detected. The longer these processes are delayed, the greater the chance of facing security issues.

·  Shared network access. Many developers prefer to connect iot devices to the same network that other user devices connect to. For example, it could be a LAN or a WiFi. But in this case, the entire network can face quite serious vulnerabilities, because only a single device can crack the entire system. That is why separate networks are strongly recommended for each IoT application.

 Vulnerability caused by physical access devices. Some IoT devices can be placed in remote areas and operated at complete distances. However, this is not always possible. People can often have physical contact with devices, which can pose additional threats. To take a simple example: if experts with the authority to use such devices forget to close the door of the room where they are placed, unauthorized people may easily enter them.

 How to improve the Internet of Things security?

 Although understanding critical threats is critical, this is not enough to improve the level of protection for IoT-driven systems. It is more important to understand what methods are available to minimize the risk of external attacks.

· physical security. Although this principle is very simple, unfortunately, companies operating IOT-driven systems often forget about it. You should carefully keep track of the number and role of people accessing the IoT devices. If you use a cellular Iot device, key data is usually stored on SIM cards that are easily stolen. That is why the device should be well protected.

·  IMEI lock. The IMEI can be interpreted as a unique identification number of the mobile device. With IMEI locks, you can ensure that the SIM card can only be used with the specified IMEI, which means it can only be used with selected devices. Therefore, even if the card is removed, no one can use it on other devices.

·  Introduce a private network. This simple operation is already a fairly dangerous operation for the security of transmitting data when data is sent from one device to another. When you use any public network like WiFi, your solution can easily become a prey to hackers. One of the important things to do is message encryption. But even if this step may not be enough. That is why we strongly recommend that you use private networks to prevent your data from entering the public Internet.

·  Detection of an abnormal behavior. You should be notified when someone tries to disrupt an iot-driven device or when any suspicious activity exists on your network. To achieve this, engineers should introduce specific tools to monitor activity on the network, detect threat levels and send notifications to the system administrator so that the system administrator can respond to any risk in a timely manner.

last word

Data is one of the most valuable assets for any enterprise, which is why hackers are always trying to access it. When you implement an IoT solution in your business process, you need to consider not only its functionality, but also its security. Without the proper protection of your system and your sensitive data, you will not be able to take advantage of even the most powerful and innovative solutions.