IoT Security Issues

Introduction to IoT Security Issues

The following article provides an outline for IoT Security Issues. In the design of networking, the developers will not consider security as the most priority. They will focus only on their successful implementation. At the time of application, people are more attracted to IoT and its unique features, and they started using it in the business application instead of checking its security. Common chaos faced in IoT is passwords. Users failed to set strong passwords, and the passwords must be changed periodically. Another major issue is with sensors that control temperature and humidity, which cannot be applicable in all environments.

What is IoT Security?

IoT Security is a technology which is protecting both hardware and software-connected devices and framed networks in the Internet of Things. IoT is the mechanism that is established between digital machines and connected devices. It is an interrelated system in which each thing has a unique identifier and automatically transfers data and operates the system which works in cyberspace. But it is not safe to leave the devices open because hackers or viruses can easily attack or snip the data of the concerned person or user. IoT is the topic to audit after many profile incidents where an IoT used to device penetrate and attach large networks. Implementing security and safety measures to this IoT system enhances its efficiency in its business environment. There are many issues fixed in this end-to-end IoT process, but all are fixed to an extent.

Measures Taken to Protect the IoT Ecosystem

The foremost protective measures taken to protect the IoT ecosystem are to concentrate on the complete infrastructure like tamper-proof hardware, developing a secure system, performing system upgrades, installing patches for dynamic testing.

Some of the corrective steps include:

• Integrating security at an initial phase of the design.
• Giving strong passwords or biometrics or cryptographic algorithms.
• Installing digital certificates and Public key infrastructure.
• Building a firewall between the connected devices.
• Improving Application Performance Indicator on back-end systems.
• Providing a user with unique identity management.
• Incorporating hardware security by tamper-proof devices.
• Providing strong network security by blocking unauthorized IP and ensuring all the systems up to date.
• By patch management like continuous software updates.
• Well-skilled developers and programmers working as integrated teams.
• The Consumer must be educated to handle the IoT ecosystem efficiently.

The interaction of IT and OT creates several challenges for security systems that are specially working on safeguarding systems and ensuring the end to end security. The most vulnerable industries to IoT security threats are smart home appliances connected to individual systems in a house that have a major impact on the information collected.

If there is an attack, it will directly affect the control of the car or an ac or health system like an insulin pump which can be a life-threatening issue. For example, If any temperature sensor fails, it will affect the refrigerator system. If there is an error in infrastructure, it leads to damage to the water grid or oil tank. Similarly, if the smart door locks are not working efficiently, then it is easily a way for burglars. If there is any malware virus attack in the software system, it leads to the threat of personal information like bank details, citizenship numbers, and government documents.

Types of IoT Security Issues

Following are types of IoT Security Issues:

• Improper Testing and Updating: IoT manufacturers are concentrating only on their sales instead of focusing on their testing and security issues. So the manufacturing unit must be more careful to design the device-security systems.
• Issue of Default Passwords: Few government websites give user default password and login, which is easily prone to attack to read, write and steal the data.
• IoT Ransomware: The ransomware digitally attacks the device and steals the users’ data, and at the same time, it disables the functioning of devices.
• IoT Hackers Targeting Cryptocurrency: Blockchain is resistant to hacking, but here the number of victims is increasing day by day. Social engineering must be educated to set strong passwords and private keys. Monero is a popular open-source cryptocurrency, and many digital currencies are designed with IoT devices.
• Data Security and Privacy: Information is persistently transmitted and received by a range of IoT devices like smart devices, printers, speakers, etc. So it is a dedicated system that should hold strong compliance and privacy rules which should never leak any confidential data. Even cache data should be erased regularly.
• Minimal IoT Attack to Escape Detection: Instead of big bombs, a simple needle is enough to insert a virus and damage the entity. Similarly, just a small path is enough to drag all user information into the hacker zone.
• Artificial Intelligence and Automation: Autonomous devices make an automatic decision that affects billions of infrastructure across healthcare, power, and locomotives might be too risky. A single code is also possible enough to destroy the entire infrastructure. It can also help IoT administrators to detect the malicious pattern earlier.
• Home Intruders: This is similar to the robbery, which invokes criminal outfits and leads to a home invasion. Each house has a unique IP address which is easily available for hackers to enter your house.
• Remote Vehicle Control: Smart cars are one of the major victims of hackers. They can easily attack, hijack and access the car. This will turn into a scary scenario if any unknown person leads the user to lethal crimes.
• Untrustworthy Connections: Some IoT devices send messages to devices or networks without encoding. To overcome these, developers have to use standard TLS or transport encryption. It is also effective to use an individual isolation system for individual connections. It should be double-checked that data should be transmitted in a confidential way.

Conclusion

IoT security is fired by lack of industry signed standards, but few IoT security frame exists in which no single user agreed to the frame. The IoT feature varies from one organization to another according to its requirements. Apart from security, the variation of these standards leads to interoperability between them. So all IoT users must ensure that all the security issues must be fixed before installation to have a high standard of security with multilayer encryption or multilayer firewall.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to IoT Security Issues. Here we discussed the basic concept, measures taken to protect the IoT ecosystem with different types of IoT security issues in detail. You can also go through our other related articles to learn more –

1. Introduction to IOT
2. IoT Services
3. Firewall Devices
4. Benefits of IoT