Comprehending the Security Issues Facing the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) might be a significant upgrade in terms of connectivity for a lot of users and businesses, but this comes at a price. With more devices accessing connected networks than ever before, security becomes a focal point of discussion for the Internet of Things. How can you make sure that your network is secure while these devices run rampant all around your business?

It all starts by comprehending the largest security issues facing the Internet of Things. Let's examine these, as well as identify what you can do to clean up any potential weaknesses in your infrastructure.

The Sheer Amount of IoT Devices
Its not easy to protect yourself and your business from threats when there are so many of them out there. This is even more true for IoT devices. If you consider each and every device that has some sort of connected functionality as an IoT device, you suddenly see why there are so many issues regarding security for businesses. It’s inevitable that at least one of them will contain some type of threat. If any single one of these devices is infected with ransomware or malware, its presence on your network could become a considerable problem.

Furthermore, many of these devices are usually those that you might not typically expect to have any sort of connectivity. Examples: smart cars, appliances, thermostats, watches, and more. This makes them somewhat difficult to prepare for; it’s more difficult to plan access control around devices that you can’t predict will access your network.

Patches and Updates
The sheer amount of devices also plays a part in regards to patching and applying updates to them. The IoT is so expansive that it is impossible to guarantee that all of the devices are using the most current versions of whatever software operates them. This means that it’s likely at least one of the devices accessing your network aren’t as current as they need to be.

Even worse is the fact that many IoT devices are usually one-off systems constructed by developers for the sole purpose of capitalizing on what’s popular in that moment. This could possibly lead to developers no longer supporting particular devices, as they may not have sold well or weren’t as popular as expected.

You might not be able to control and manage devices out there in the wild, but you can attempt to control and manage the devices that access your data on a regular basis. The initial step is taking a look at the devices your employees bring to work with them, as well as managing the permissions that each of them has to access specific data on your infrastructure. Moreover, you’ll need to make sure that all devices connected to your network are up-to-date, as even minor vulnerabilities could become a gateway for threats.

Does your organization have trouble managing devices and access control? Macro Systems can help. To learn more, reach out to us at 703-359-9211.