When looking to manage IoT device security, we need to first step back and look at the security risks and challenges faced with implementing new IoT technology. The whole range of different smart devices, their function and level of internet connectivity all affect how secure that device is.
First we will take a look at the different use cases of IoT devices, the various security vulnerabilities for these devices, device manufacturers and security solution providers and the IoT security challenges posed by hackers and malicious parties.
While this may seem a lot to get your head around at first, by using our best practice guidelines and solutions for managing your IoT security, IoT deployment can have the transformative effects without being overexposed to the risk potential IoT attacks. We will also look at how to use PKI certificates and device identity lifecycle management to keep your data safe.
One of the biggest challenges facing businesses today is how to secure their data against increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks. As more and more devices are connected to the internet, the attack surface grows larger, and criminals have more opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities.
One of the most common types of IoT security threat is a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. This is where attackers use malicious software to overload a system, preventing legitimate users from accessing it. DoS attacks can cause significant financial damage and disrupt service delivery.
Another common type of IoT security threat is data breaches. These occur when attackers gain unauthorised access to sensitive data, such as customer information or financial records. Data breaches can have devastating consequences, including reputation damage, financial loss, and regulatory penalties.
To protect against these and other IoT security threats, organizations need to implement best-practice security measures. This includes using strong authentication for devices and users, encrypting data, and implementing comprehensive security policies. Additionally, organizations should consider using a device identity management solution to help manage the growing number of IoT devices and ensure that only authorized devices have access to sensitive data.
When it comes to IoT security, managing device identities is a critical component. Each IoT device has a unique identifier, which can be used to authenticate the device and authorise its access to data and resources. However, if these identifiers are not managed properly, they can be compromised, which can lead to security breaches.
One way to help ensure the security of IoT devices is to use public key infrastructure (PKI) certificates. PKI certificates are digital credentials that are used to authenticate devices and users. They contain a public key, which is used to verify the identity of the device or user, and a private key, which is used to sign data.
Another important aspect of IoT security is managing the identity lifecycle of devices. This includes ensuring that devices are properly provisioned and de-provisioned when they are no longer in use. It also involves keeping track of the location and status of devices and ensuring that only authorized users can access them.
IoT security is a complex issue, and the best approach will vary depending on the type of IoT devices in use, the level of risk involved, and the resources available. However, by following some basic best practices, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of IoT security breaches.
Some of the key best practices for managing IoT security include:
By following these best practices, organizations can reduce the risk of IoT security breaches and ensure that their IoT devices are used safely and securely.
However, IAM systems alone are not sufficient to address all the security management challenges associated with IoT devices. IAM systems cannot provide the level of granular control over data that is necessary to protect sensitive data. Additionally, IAM systems are not designed to handle the large volume of data that is generated by IoT devices.
To address these challenges, organizations must implement a comprehensive security management strategy that includes both IAM and other security controls. When implemented properly, such a strategy can help to ensure that IoT devices are properly authenticated and authorized to access data, and that sensitive data is protected from unauthorised access. Additionally, a comprehensive security management strategy can help to ensure that IoT devices are able to generate and store data in a secure manner.
By following the current IoT security best practices, standards and regulations (such as the EU Cyber Security standard) you can ensure that employing IoT devices within your organisation doesn’t become an unguarded area of your IoT infrastructure.
A comprehensive solution, such as Device Authority’s KeyScaler platform manages the entire IoT Device Lifecycle – creating a zero-trust environment for your IoT devices. The KeyScaler platform manages the provision and registration of devices, provides credentials for those devices, and provides end-to-end device cryptography for data in transit and at rest across networks and cloud services.
If you’d like to take the difficulty out of your IoT security management within your organisation, you can learn more about KeyScaler here
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.
