Increased IoT Security a Must for Continued Success of IoT Applications

access_time July 22, 2019
by   TechmavenitAdmin
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With its immense scale and the rapid deployment achieved globally, there arises the need for IoT systems to ponder also over the security component of their applications. Imagine a scenario where you are confronted with a cyber criminal asking you to part with a $500 bill if you want to start your car or alternatively, face the prospect of being locked out of your smart home until a ransom is paid. Consider then the amount of damage and havoc that cyber criminals could cause if they were able to access and control the net work of a large organization. Technology has now reached a stage wherein hackers are able to hack into any device from any location, even a remote one. IoT security must be an integral part of all IoT applications IoT security is then the magic key that secures all IoT applications and services that connect objects, systems and people. What this clearly states is that to ensure that our devices and applications are safe and secure, IoT implementation must be designed with security in mind from the very outset. And, to guard against the possibility of IoT devices being hacked and manipulated by third persons, you need at the very outset, to be aware of the type of networks you are connecting to and the type of users who could possibly have access to your systems/ networks. In addition, you should also review your network – security – policies periodically to insulate your systems from all forms of external hacks. Scope for cyber hacks has risen sharply According to a report by Gartner, there will be around 21 billion connected IoT devices by the year 2020 and that IoT security issues could arise unless preventive action is initiated. It stands to reason then that the more the number of connected devices, the more the risk of security issues cropping up. Additionally, there is also the possibility that the IoT devices themselves become new attack vectors, suggesting that every compromised device becomes a new possible attack point, which by definition means a higher probability of attacks. But IoT security still not a priority issue for most device manufacturers Presently however, IoT device manufacturers do not attach must importance to the security aspect and are mostly concerned with raising revenues and increasing their profit margins. This is primarily because embedding security layers in to IoT devices requires significant investment that manufacturers are reluctant to undertake. Consumers want security built in to devices From the consumer point of view, however, it tells a different tale. A survey has found that 90% of consumers polled from six countries including Brazil, China, Germany, India, UK and USA believe that it is important that a connected device has security built in to the product. Additionally, 78% of all respondents agreed that they are aware that any smart device connected to the Wi-Fi in their homes has the potential to be targeted by a hacker. According to the 2018 Forrester predictions, IoT security gaps will only increase with the growing IoT integration with public cloud, ultimately leading to greater theft of personal data. The best solution then against security threat as far as the consumer is concerned is to be aware of the same and to remain vigilant against all such potential threats. And, from the device manufacturer side, they should also make it a point to integrate multiple layers of security in to all the manufactured IoT devices.

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