The Internet of Things (IoT) has been a rapidly implemented technology, with estimates suggesting that there will be over 50 billion devices connected to the internet by 2020. This number includes not only traditional computing devices, but also a wide range of “smart” devices including cars, appliances, and even medical implants. As these devices become more and more common, the need for effective security management becomes increasingly important. In this blog post, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with IoT security management.
One of the biggest challenges facing IoT security management is the number of devices that need to be secured within certain industry applications. Each device represents a potential point of entry for malicious actors. Furthermore, many IoT devices are designed with convenience in mind, rather than security. This often results in weak or non-existent security measures. As a result, it can be very difficult to secure an entire IoT network.
Another challenge associated with IoT security management is the fact that many devices are deployed in remote and/or unsecured locations. This makes it difficult to physically secure devices and their data. Additionally, it can be difficult to monitor and manage devices that are not easily accessible.
Despite the challenges, there are several things that can be done to improve security management for IoT networks. One is to focus on device identity management. By using an IAM system, organizations can more easily manage the digital identities of devices and ensure that only authorized devices have access to sensitive data and systems.
Additionally, IAM can help to automate many of the tasks associated with security management, such as provisioning and de-provisioning devices, updating security policies, and managing access control rules.
IoT devices can be exploited in several ways. One is through unsecured communication channels. If data is not encrypted or if authentication and authorisation mechanisms are not in place, an attacker could intercept communications and gain access to sensitive data. Additionally, IoT devices often have weak security controls, such as easily guessed passwords, that make them easy targets for attackers.
Another way that IoT devices can be exploited is through vulnerabilities in the devices themselves. If a device has a known vulnerability, an attacker could exploit that vulnerability to gain access to the device or the data it is processing. Additionally, many IoT devices do not receive security updates in a timely manner, which leaves them open to attack even after vulnerabilities have been patched.
When implementing a security management strategy for IoT devices, organizations should keep in mind the following potential security risks:
If IoT devices are not properly secured, unauthorised individuals may gain access to sensitive data.
Data breaches could result in the disclosure of sensitive information.
Denial of service (DDoS) attacks could disable the devices and prevent them from being used.
Without adequate security, IoT devices could be infected with malware, which could allow attackers to take control of the devices or use them to launch attacks against other systems.
One of the biggest challenges in securing IoT devices is managing the digital identities of those devices. Each device must have a unique identity that can be used to authenticate it when it communicates with other devices or systems.
IAM systems can help to ensure that each device has a unique identity and that the identities are properly managed and updated. Additionally, IAM systems can provide a central repository for all device identities, which can help to prevent identity theft and fraud.
There are several challenges that need to be considered when implementing an IAM system for IoT devices. First, the system must be able to scale to support large numbers of devices. Second, the system must be able to handle the large volume of data that is generated by IoT devices. Finally, the system must be able to provide the necessary security and privacy controls to protect data.
IAM systems can help to address some of the security management challenges associated with IoT devices. IAM systems can provide a central repository for device identities, which can help to prevent identity theft and fraud. Additionally, IAM systems can help to ensure that each device has a unique identity, and that the identity is properly authenticated and authorized to access data.
Organizations that are looking to implement a comprehensive security management strategy should consider the following factors:
To help mitigate these risks, organizations can consider implementing a digital identity management system for their IoT devices. By doing so, they can help ensure that only authorized devices are able to access their network and data, and that devices are properly authenticated and authorized before they are allowed to communicate with other devices. Additionally, digital identity management can help organizations keep track of which devices are accessing their network, and when, which can be helpful in detecting and investigating potential security incidents.
Implementing a digital identity management system for IoT devices can be a challenging, however, as many IoT devices are resource-constrained and may not have the ability to support strong authentication methods. Additionally, IoT devices are often deployed in unsupervised environments, making it difficult to manage their security and update them with the latest security patches.
Despite these challenges, managing digital identities for IoT devices is a critical security measure that can help organizations better understand and protect their network. When implemented properly, digital identity management can provide visibility into which devices are accessing your network and help to prevent unauthorised access.
Overall, the internet of things presents both challenges and opportunities for security management. By taking advantage of IAM systems, organizations can improve their ability to secure their data and systems while also reducing the amount of time and effort required to manage security. In the end, this can help to improve the overall security posture of an organisation and make it easier to respond to incidents and threats.
So, first things first, what is Code Signing? Code signing is a software development process of digitally signing executable code to prove the identity of the software author AND guarantees that the code has not altered or corrupted since it was published. Both these points are extremely important for building trust from your customers and safely distributing your software.
Back in October 2016 we experienced the Mirai botnet malware, which had its fair share of press coverage after taking down popular websites and services including Twitter, Airbnb and Netflix. Mirai leveraged the use of weak credentials, particularly passwords – usually guessing the default passwords which manufacturer’s ship devices with. The solution? Easy, just update your password!
