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IoT Security Solutions

Historically, manufacturers and developers of smart devices have been slow to implement security for the software that runs on them. While the apps our devices use are getting smarter every day, they’re also growing more vulnerable—and becoming softer targets for hackers.

Explore some potential IoT security solutions developers and manufacturers can use to keep devices of all types safe for users.

What Is IoT Security?

Internet of Things (IoT) security is the practices and methods security experts use to protect IoT devices from unauthorized access and cyber threats. These devices include smart home devices, thermostats, connected cars, smartwatches, and other devices that communicate with each other and connect to the internet.

IoT security tools follow many of the same best practices and protocols as standard application security. However, because people don’t realize the level of security vulnerabilities they may have with a device that’s inside the privacy of their home, IoT security is often ignored.

Why Securing the IoT Is Important

IoT protection is becoming increasingly important because these devices can be breached like any other desktop, mobile device, or application. Once breached, attackers can use it to find sensitive information about users and their data—among other potential security risks.

As smart devices become a bigger fixture in people’s homes and lives, they’re becoming more interconnected—and we’re becoming more reliant on them for everything from running industrial machinery to powering home security systems. Insecure IoT devices are a potential liability risk for everything from production disruptions to potential harm to hospital patients and other people who depend on them.

Furthermore, they’re also transmitting more and more sensitive data, such as personal health information.

Underscoring all of these factors is the potential for financial risk. Companies and developers who don’t take steps to protect the IoT potentially put themselves at risk of losses from bank accounts, legal monetary penalties, lawsuits, and potential damages paid out to those affected.

In short, having the right security solutions for IoT devices mitigates virtually as many risks as other forms of application protection and security protocols.

How to Protect Against IoT Attacks: Best Practices

1. Think About Security Early in the Pipeline

Before developing a new type of IoT device—or an application for those devices—it’s important to know how you’ll keep the device secure. This includes everything from in-device security features to making sure you’re using secure coding practices from the very beginning of the development lifecycle.

Adopting DevSecOps as your team’s development methodology is a great way to adopt security best practices early and treat protecting the IoT as a forethought. It allows you to shift-left with security testing so the code that runs your IoT devices and applications has better quality earlier on.

2. Constantly Develop and Adjust Your Security Posture

Just like with other applications, IoT device security is not something you can simply “set and forget.” Keeping your security structures updated and constantly making micro-adjustments makes it easier to protect IoT devices and ensure they’re functioning correctly and securely.

Similarly, development teams should also conduct risk assessments on a regular basis to protect devices from potential security threats. Penetration testing should be part of your maintenance routine, as should security audits.

3. Leave It to the Experts

Securing IoT devices shouldn’t be a task that gets delegated to your least experienced developer or your interns. Developers who are familiar with application security standards and constantly aware of the latest potential threats should take the lead on constantly improving your security.

It’s also ideal to make sure everyone on your team is familiar with IoT and cybersecurity best practices. Doing so makes it easier to implement strong security measures throughout the development and updating process, without having to clean up as many vulnerabilities after the fact before deployment.

Steps to Take for IoT Security

Update Firmware and Software Regularly

Every time there’s a security patch in one of your open-source components or your team finds a better way to protect your code, you should implement them as quickly as possible. Likewise, you should also check for security issues regularly and conduct consistent tests to ensure every device is behaving as intended.

Encrypt Your Data

Most IoT devices are constantly transmitting data between networks and other devices. By making sure your networks are encrypted, you can safeguard the data at rest and protect it from breaches at the device or network level.

Similarly, you’ll need to ensure there is end-to-end encryption wherever possible. Data in transit can be intercepted with man-in-the-middle attacks across any type of device, but encrypting every possible pathway makes these attacks easier to prevent. Fortunately, programs like Dotfuscator make it easier to implement multiple levels of encryption and code obfuscation to protect your users.

However, if you want to take a step further in protecting user privacy, you can also ensure that their data is anonymized. Doing so protects their identities and makes it harder for attackers to gain access to things like credit card numbers, addresses, and other personal data.

Regularly Monitor & Audit Security

This is an essential part of adjusting your security posture. While most applications conduct thorough security audits roughly once or twice a year, developers who are concerned about the security of their IoT devices can do so at least once per quarter—if not more often for sensitive devices in places like hospitals or power plants.

Educate Users and Your Team Regularly

People are constantly alert for potential security threats from their email apps or from suspicious websites. However, that level of vigilance just isn’t as prevalent among most users with IoT devices.

Taking a more proactive approach to IoT security should start first and foremost with your developers, security professionals, and operations team. However, it shouldn’t end with them.

Instead, it’s important to also make sure users have good security hygiene as well. Make sure your users know the importance of having strong passwords on their wifi networks, and possibly encourage them to not put their smart devices on the same network as their personal devices like their phones.

Furthermore, just like your team should update your firmware and software as often as possible, users should also be encouraged to never skip updates. By teaching them that anyone can be a target—yes, even them—you can help them take a more proactive approach to protection instead of having to pick up the pieces when their identities have been stolen.

Try PreEmptive

As with all types of apps across different device types and operating systems, PreEmptive can help IoT devices improve their security posture with multiple layers of code obfuscation. This makes it harder for attackers to get into your IoT devices’ networks and violate user privacy.

To see how we can help your team build a more secure IoT device, start a free trial.