What is IoT network security?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of internet enabled smart physical objects or devices which uses embedded technology to interact with each other. In IoT environment an object can represent itself by interconnection with surrounding objects and the extensive flowing data around it. When we talk about the term interconnection in terms of current technology that means connectivity of computers, tablets, smart phones and smart watches. Internet of Things security focuses on protecting your internet enabled devices & its data which connected to each other on wireless networks.
—- What’s happening presently with IoT network security systems? —-
Growing network of IoT security is a major concern today. Connected IoT devices work as data collectors which means personal or official information collected and stored with the help of these devices such as your name, age, health data, your location accessibility and much more which can easily be hacked by criminal minds. At the same time, as this trend is growing, a number of new products are launching every day but here is a main issue that if your are connected to everything and with more such devices then there are lot of ways to access your official and personal data which can make you a beneficial target of criminal mind people to take profit of it. Every connected device used by you has its own privacy concerns, especially when most of the devices connect to your smart phone.
Whether you need to check working efficiency of cameras at your home or office, locking unlocking of doors, adjusting room temperature or light systems, turning ON OFF television and so on, all you can do it remotely with just few clicks on your smart phone. The more functionality you add in your smart phone or IoT device, directly showing the more information you store in the device which could make these tech gadgets vulnerable to a different types of cyber attacks.
“By adopting some below mention security measures you can secure your devices”
IoT network securities pose some potential risks to your internet safety. So therefore, it is suggested to protect your digital data by securing connected IoT devices. Here are the ways to implement that:
- You install best internet security software on your computers, tablets, and smart phones and IoT devices, which can provide real-time protection against existing and emerging malware & viruses.
- Use strong and unique passwords for devices, Wi-Fi networks, and connected devices. Avoid using easy and common words or passwords that are easy to guess.
- Be alert when we talk about using smart apps. Always remember and make sure to read the privacy policies of these apps before using it, to see what are their plans on using your information and more.
- Always do your own research works before you use these smart gadgets and apps as their main purpose is to collect your personal data. You must know about that what kind of data these devices collect, how it is stored and protected. If it is shared with third party entities then it’s breaching the ethical law of protection of data.
- Give attention to what type of data your device or app wants to take access on your phone. If it looks unnecessary or suspicious then deny the permissions.
- Always use VPN’s on IoT devices & apps which help to secure your transmitted data at your home and office.
- Disallow the use of social sharing features of similar apps and products which can expose information like your location and help cyber criminals to track down your movements.
- Do remember; never leave your smart devices unattended if you are using it in public areas. In public areas, you should consider to switch off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth feature of device if you don’t need it as some devices allow automatic sharing with others in close proximity.
Security network deployed around the IoT devices is blind to such network communications unless or until the top management is watching the internal network. If these devices are compromised, they easily become launching pads into other parts of the network. The top IoT network issue is that you should not rely on physical security to keep things off a network. There are many places in the wired network which wide open and there is a little network access control. No doubt that there is more control and authentication in wireless side but even there are some devices which are authenticated often get dropped out and are uncontrolled.
“Keys steps that can be taken to better protect IoT’s business network”
- Determination what things should allow on network:
IoT devices are static in nature and they do the same process repeatedly and talk only to a single protocol or two. Determine what “good” working behaviour looks like for these devices.
- Monitoring abnormal behaviour:
If controlling management sees a device working outside of normal behaviour, something’s probably wrong. Fortunately, because you should follow step no. 1, you know what’s on the network, so tracking down a misbehaving device should be easy.
- Outlaw anonymous connections:
Top business management must know every device that is connected, whether a laptop or other IoT devices.
- Use the network to enforce rules:
Many people don’t take this last step, but, without enforcement, polices mean little. If the cameras need to talk only to the network, then use the network to allow only that behavior.
Conclusion:
In the end of this article, the key role of IoT network security as we look to the future is the growing need for security by users which plays an important role to safeguard and ease our lives. The Internet of Things is, at the same time, providing extraordinary value while significantly increasing security vulnerabilities. Developers of IoT devices should also think about the security of their products starting from the development stage. The industry needs more highly trained IoT security professionals to deal with the rising risk. Industry officials echo a call for more qualified experts. The key success will be to increase the number of IoT security professionals to develop robust end-to-end security solutions to solve complex issues presented by disparate IoT ecosystems.
