When you think of the Internet of Things (IoT), what comes to mind? Is it your smartphone? Maybe even a smartwatch or AI powered stackable washer and dryer unit. Whatever comes to mind, there’s no doubt that IoT is growing in popularity, even more now than 10 years ago. With that popularity comes a rise in the need for balancing IoT innovations with robust cyber security measures.
With these measures, you can protect valuable data and systems effectively. Without them? Your company risks becoming the victim of a cyber attack that could result in loss of operations, finances, and even a damaged reputation.
The Rapid Expansion of IoT Technologies
Some of the earliest IoT technologies were things like smartphones, smartwatches, and even connected toothbrushes. The landscape of this industry has expanded rapidly. From the casual everyday accessory to widely impactful items like industrial gas pressure values and agricultural soil level readings IoT has left its mark.
Even the fields of healthcare and media have seen the impact and influence of IoT. The enhanced efficiency and connectivity that these devices provide have revolutionized these industries and created more opportunities and modes of creativity and solutions. And while IoT has introduced itself into these spaces, it also introduced new challenges in security management.
The rapid growth has left a gap in the creation of viable security measures. Between a limited knowledgeable workforce and an ever changing IT landscape, it can be difficult to stay ahead of the curve. Even so, knowledge is power, and by sharing the knowledge about risks and cybersecurity solutions with your business, you empower your business to keep moving forward, while minimizing its risk liability.
Understanding Cybersecurity Risks in IoT
It seems like almost every day there’s a new cybersecurity risk on the scene. This can feel overwhelming and have you wondering where your business should even begin. As with any risk mitigation strategy, remain calm and start small so that you can begin to understand the unique cybersecurity risks for your business with IoT.
Common cybersecurity threats associated with connected devices include:
- Vulnerabilities to hacking
- Data breaches
- Unauthorized access that can compromise your entire network
The good news is that your business doesn’t have to fall victim to these attacks. In the event that one does occur, it’s possible to minimize or even prevent data loss completely. While having a solid mitigation plan in place is helpful, the best measure is prevention. That’s why secure IoT deployment is so important.
The Importance of Secure IoT Deployment
Secure IoT deployment may sound like a quick and easy fix, but it’s far more complex than you might imagine. Securing IoT devices from the outset is crucial. Why? Because if you secure them as a proactive and preventative measure, you could save yourself valuable time and money down the line from trying to do the same thing because of an explicit attack or breach.
A pitfall that many businesses fall into when it comes to secure IoT deployment is assuming that their organization is too small or too big to be targeted. The truth is, hackers and bad characters like organizations of all sizes. Each one has valuable information that can be sold, corrupted, publicized, or even held for ransom.
Potential consequences of neglecting cybersecurity in the deployment of connected technologies can include loss or harm to business data, systems, operations, company reputation, and even result in fines for highly regulated industries.
Strategies for Enhancing IoT Security
Prevention is the best strategy for enhancing IoT security, but at face value that can seem difficult to wrap your mind around. Prevention is best provided in actionable steps and best practices for organizations to bolster their IoT security. Some reliable preventative measure implemented across various industries include:
- Implementing strong authentication protocols
- Regular system updates
- Installing applicable patches
- Not solely relying on antivirus software
- Securing firewalls
- Educating employees on everyday IoT safety practices
Though the IoT landscape is still new and not much has been standardized in the way of security enhancements across the industry, there are some reliable concepts to draw on. When in doubt, consider industry standards like NIST cybersecurity standards. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is dedicated to helping organizations manage and understand their cybersecurity risk.
If you’re not familiar with the NIST cybersecurity framework, you’re not alone. It’s a powerful way to safeguard your organization and you can partner with experts who can help you get started.
TechBldrs’ Expertise in IoT Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity concerns are not something to be casually dismissed or have scant effort applied to. To truly balance innovation with these concerns, you’ll need to draw on reputable and reliable expertise from experts that can help keep your business connected and protected.
An initial thought for many is to simply use VPNs, antivirus software, and keep software up-to-date. While this is a good starting point, it still leaves your organization vulnerable to gaps in security. This vulnerability is compounded if you don’t have a dedicated team internally to help address these concerns and be on the lookout for what’s ahead.
Creating an IoT ecosystem of connected and protected devices for your business is not something you want to neglect or skimp on resources with. At TechBldrs’, we can help. Our specialized services to help businesses protect their IoT infrastructure, leveraging expert knowledge in both innovation and security.
Future Trends in IoT and Security Measures
From blockchain technology and generative AI, IoT is on track for unprecedented growth in the coming years. With that growth comes the need to have secure and reliable IoT security measures. It’s critical to maintain user privacy while maintaining the integrity of connected systems and supporting innovation.
There is a push for standardized security protocols within IoT, but these are not yet solidified. Don’t wait years down the road for these standardized practices to be created before safeguarding your connected devices. Use the tools and resources available now.
Strategies you can use today to minimize challenges in an increasingly interconnected world can include the 5 functionalities defined by NIST:
- Identification of Risks – Develop an organizational understanding to manage cyber security risks to systems, assets, data, and capabilities.
- Protection Against Attacks – Develop and implement the appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical infrastructure services.
- Detection of Breaches – Develop and implement the appropriate activities to identify the occurrence of a cyber security event.
- Response to Attacks – Develop and implement the appropriate activities to act upon regarding a detected cyber security incident.
- Recovery from Attacks – Develop and implement the appropriate activities to maintain plans for resilience and to restore any capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cyber security incident.
Secure Your Business and IoT Devices with TechBldrs
Internet of Things devices have been on the scene for a while and continue to explode in the industry. The more connected devices in the marketplace, the more risk of cyber exploitation. Be proactive and secure your business and IoT devices, and even your business’s cyber reputation with TechBldrs. Contact Us to learn more. We’ll listen to learn about your unique situation and provide a professional and unbiased opinion. We know that cybersecurity may not be your “thing”. It’s definitely ours and we’re here to help.