Globally, we are experiencing accelerated adoption of IoT devices – both personally and professionally. From wearables to smart refrigerators, medical sensors to smart security systems, IoT devices have allowed us the freedom to communicate with the internet easily and manage that interaction remotely. In fact, according to a recent Statista report, the total IoT-connected devices worldwide is projected to reach 30.9 billion by 2025.

However, does the speed at which we integrate this IoT technology come at a price?

With the impact of COVID, including the delta and omicron variants, there has been a significant rise in IoT attacks. In the first part of 2021, there were an estimated 1.5 billion attacks on smart devices with hackers looking to steal personal and corporate data. The Silicon-based security startup, Verkada, was just one company that dealt with a major attack.

A March 2021 report said more than 150,000 of Verkada’s cameras were breached, including cameras in Tesla factories, Cloudflare offices, Equinox gyms, hospitals, jails, schools, police stations, and its own offices. The hackers gained access to these cameras through a Super Admin account and then exposed both the user name and password for the account publicly on the internet.

Why IoT Security is Important

The Verkada attack is just one of the many instances that expose the risk related to IoT devices and underscores the importance that businesses should have an IoT security plan in place. Plus, with cyberattacks caused by unsecured IoT devices only on the rise, companies must understand the depth of breaches that will impact their reputation and bottom line.

Six Ways to Overcome IoT Security Challenges and Keep Business Moving

Although implementing an IoT security solution doesn’t happen overnight, this ground-up approach is essential to prevent current and future vulnerabilities. Here are six key steps in an IoT data protection plan to keep your business safely moving forward.

1. Obtain Data Visibility - Businesses need to adopt tools to monitor, control and analyze their data regularly to find vulnerabilities that can lead to malicious attacks.
2. Data Classification - Company IoT data should be ranked and prioritized based on its sensitivity and value. Security resources should be made available for the data that needs to be most protected.
3. Data Encryption - In IoT environments, all available data, whether at rest or in transit, must be encrypted by a professional.
4. Security by Design - Security protocols, such as ongoing testing, authentication safeguards and adherence to best protection practices, must happen to secure IoT data from the beginning to the end of use.
5. Secure Hardware Components - To avoid any emerging threats, businesses should use components, such as PSA certified hardware, to meet and exceed all security standards.
6. Governance Programs - These programs must offer log management that enables visibility into the devices and the IoT environment, strong password policies, and a patch management program to ensure timely updates. Automation is recommended to add to governance policies to boost compliance and efficiency.

Above all, organizations should have a top-down approach to IoT security as it is vital to its ultimate survival and hire trained security experts to keep your data safeguarded.

How MobileWare Can Help

MobileWare is an IoT partner your business can count on. Specializing in global IoT implementation, MobileWare partners with the best companies offering security and analytics solutions. Over a single integrated connectivity dashboard, MobileWare controls and manages global IoT devices in real time, securely connecting all your business’s network endpoints. 

For more information, contact MobileWare today at info@mobilewareus.com or 303-355-2180.