How to Mitigate IoT Security Threats in 2023?


In digital transformation, the Internet of Things is a key factor. The IoT market is estimated to be around $967 billion, which suggests that many gadgets were not built with safety in mind. However, businesses often discover that they have a sizable number of legacy Internet of Things (IoT) devices that have been slowly introduced over time. Businesses can benefit from IoT's innovative features, but only if they take steps to address the risks, vulnerabilities, and other threats that come with using them. Due to the ever-increasing number of IoT security flaws, it is essential that manufacturers place a premium on IoT security from the start.

As the Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets become more commonplace, concerns over their safety will only increase. Attackers may be able to hack the devices and the information they collect as a result. Authentication and encryption are two of the most fundamental forms of security, yet many of these devices lack even those. Personal information and physical security are both at risk due to these flaws.

Dangerous threats for IoT

  • Botnets for Iot − Hackers can infect IoT devices with malware through unsecured ports or phishing schemes and recruit them into botnets to carry out widespread cyber attacks. Due to their porous security and the high volume of almost similar devices that may be compromised using the same approaches, IoT gadgets are prime targets for botnets. When a device is part of a botnet, it may be instructed by another toolkit module to conduct an attack or steal data on the owner's behalf.

  • Shadow IoT − The fact that IT departments don't always have command over networked devices gives rise to shadow IoT. When these devices are compromised, hackers can use their access to the business network to gain elevated privileges and steal confidential data. IP-enabled devices like digital assistants, smartwatches, and printers are increasingly connecting to business networks but not always adhering to security best practices.

  • Data Exfiltration − Attackers also use IoT to steal passwords stored in the firmware of connected devices. To steal private information, for instance, attackers can gain access to the device's data. Such an attack on an apparently defenceless gadget can result in a widespread data breach.

Best Security Practices for IoT Threats

  • Using IoT security analytics − By comparing and contrasting various data sets, security analytics systems can spot outliers that could indicate malicious activity. In order to do this, data must be gathered from a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) sources, compiled, analysed, and combined with threat intelligence before being sent to the security operations centre (SOC). Security teams have a significantly higher chance of discovering and responding to potential attacks when IoT data is integrated with data from other security systems. The prevalence of Internet of Things-related security holes and breaches can be greatly diminished with the use of a security analytics architecture.

  • Separations of Network − Connecting IoT devices to enterprise or government networks is also possible through the deployment of secure wireless networks. Separating parts of a network from one another is one way to beef up security. Particularly, you should see to it that only the categories of devices that absolutely must have Internet connectivity have it enabled. Segmentation can help secure the Internet of Things by limiting the ability of outsiders or compromised nodes to access or spread malware to other areas of the network.

  • Easy to verify devices − If your Internet of Things device supports password authentication, use it; if it supports digital certificates, biometrics, or multi-factor authentication (MFA), use it instead, and never use the device's factory default password. While there is no silver bullet for securing the Internet of Things (IoT), there are several tried-and-true methods that can lessen the dangers inherent in the technology. Enforcing comprehensive authentication on all devices is another technique to lessen the attack surface of the IoT.

  • Invest in SMART Gadgets with Built-In Security − You should check the anti-virus software compatibility and the level of privacy protection offered by any SMART device you're considering purchasing. A lot of electronics don't even have basic protections by default. This process involves learning about and maybe adjusting the privacy settings on your smart devices.

  • AI and ML are the saviours for Iot Safety − By comparing the present real-time traffics to the usual real-time traffics that has previously been recorded, anomaly IDS is able to detect attacks based on recorded normal behaviour. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are applied to massive amounts of data, enabling machines to learn, remember, and enhance the capabilities of IoT systems. Attacks can be identified and classified using ML techniques like Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Classification and Regression Trees (CART), and Random Forest. The number of false positives is lower, but the new form of attack can slip through unnoticed. When new hacking methods are created, they often incorporate elements of older ones, which can be detected in real-time by ML algorithms.

Conclusion

Although the Internet of Things (IoT) makes it possible for our devices to talk to one another through the web, this boon also poses security risks for people and businesses. Basically, it's crucial to stay abreast of the latest security threats to IoT devices and to use effective security solutions to safeguard them from assault. The Internet of Things (IoT) presents certain security challenges, but the rewards outweigh the dangers if you take the necessary precautions. But This safeguards the integrity of the network and the privacy of its users by preventing unauthorised access to or manipulation of their devices.

Updated on: 20-Feb-2023

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