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1. IoT Security
In this article, we shall try and understand the concept of IoT security. First,
we shall go through various topics like what IoT security is, why IoT security is
needed, and the security spectrum. Then, we will look at some of the
vulnerabilities and challenges IoT systems face and the various ways to
protect your IoT devices.
We shall conclude by looking at some additional security methods and the
industries most vulnerable to IoT attacks and breaches. So buckle up, grab a
snack if you need to, take notes and read till the end of the article for the best
benefits.
What is IoT Security?
We all know that the primary role of an IoT system is to collect and store data.
Unfortunately, with so much valuable information in the cloud, IoT ecosystems
are very vulnerable to security attacks and breaches. It is why we need better
IoT architecture with higher security.
In short, the part of IoT that deals with the protection of the IoT system,
servers, networks, and physical devices is known as IoT security. IoT security
involves various tools, strategies, and methods that help users to safeguard
their IoT ecosystems.

2. With the rise in the number of attacks and breaches in IoT ecosystems,
numerous IoT developers are using various methods like PKI, end-to-end
encryption, and API security to keep their IoT systems secure.
Why Do We Need IoT Security?
With the help of IoT security, we can prevent any attacks and vulnerabilities in
any IoT system. Today, countless developers are using several technologies
and methods to prevent these breaches.
One such example is where developers use isolation to prevent software
attacks and tamper mitigation methods to avoid physical device attacks. The
number one reason we need IoT security is to prevent valuable data from
being compromised and falling into the wrong hands.
What is the Security Spectrum?
Security can be seen as an evolving spectrum as technologies evolve. For
example, devices that stay up to date with the help of updates are less prone
to attacks than older, poorly secured devices. IoT includes various
technologies that protect IoT devices, physical networks, and networks.
The security of a system is mainly built on the user need of the device, as the
user must understand the impact of a security breach and be able to
recognise malware attacks at an early stage to avoid severe damage.
Challenges Faced by IoT Systems

3. IoT systems face numerous challenges and risks. Let us look at some of
these challenges:
1. Unpredictable Conduct
We all know that there are many deployed IoT devices, which means that the
behaviour of these devices in any sector can be unpredictable. Even though
the devices and systems may have top-notch designs and structures, no one
can predict their interaction with other systems.
2. Similar Devices
In today’s market, there are not that many IoT devices and most of them are
similar. They use the same design, connection, network protocol, and more.
Hence if one device is under a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, it
affects the remaining devices also.
3. Difficulty in Deployment
Deploying IoT devices into the field is a complex task as too many devices
with internet connections exist. In addition, IoT advances to areas and
networks where it was not possible to enter before and produces data every
second, which creates difficulties in deployment.
4. No Upgradation Support
Most of the IoT devices out there cannot be upgraded or modified. Most of the
time, these upgrades are difficult to employ or are ignored by the users.

4. However, as we discussed earlier, IoT devices must be up to date with the
latest technology to avoid security breaches.
5. Long Device Life
IoT devices are well known for their long life, but this also means that IoT
devices’ work extends beyond their support and warranty periods. Once IoT
devices have no warranty, they lack security and are open sights for
cybercriminals.
6. No alerts
Unlike computers and smartphones, IoT devices have no alert system to warn
users about malware. Hackers use this disadvantage to enter the IoT device’s
network and obtain personal information. It is why various IoT companies are
improving the safety of their devices.
7. Poor Transparency
IoT devices have restricted functionality, meaning they have no direct access
to the inner working of IoT devices. Therefore, users can only assume that
their devices are working as access to the inner components is impossible
and cannot control the flow of data and information collection leading to
obtaining unnecessary information by the device.
8. Complex Environments

5. Most IoT devices are present in complex networks and environments. With
the rise in the number of IoT devices, this issue has only worsened. They
become less secure and challenging to manage and monitor.
9. Dominance of Remote Work Arrangements
IoT devices and users working in remote work arrangement companies are
more vulnerable to attacks. Why? Because the users use home networks that
may be less secure than enterprise networks.
10. 5G
We all know that 5G is an excellent protocol for IoT devices to communicate
with each other. Still, since it is a recent technology, most of 5 G’s technology
and features are yet to be discovered. Nevertheless, many users and
companies expect that 5G may offer more safety and better connectivity.
Threats and Risks
Now that you know what the various challenges and drawbacks of IoT devices
are, let us take a look at the various forms of risk or threats that IoT can face.
These threats and risks are the various ways cybercriminals can breach or
pose security threats to an IoT system.
1. Malware
Malware is the most used method by cyber criminals to attack IoT systems.
Additionally, hackers use IoT botnet malware, the most popular variant, to gain
access to private IoT ecosystems.

6. 2. Cybersecurity Escalation
We saw that because most IoT devices are similar, DDoS attacks often use
infected devices, and one hacked device in the system can provide access to
other web servers and networks. Due to complex environments, this issue
worsens as it is challenging to recognise the entry point to stop further loss.
3. Device Mismanagement
As users, due to our negligence, we give room for cybercriminals to breach.
We do that by giving IoT systems poor passwords, neglecting or
procrastinating updates, not configuring the device properly, and many other
reasons contributing to IoT security attacks.
4. Information Theft
When you combine two excellent yet vulnerable features of IoT: (1) – IoT
devices connect to the internet online, and (2) – IoT devices gather and store
information in the cloud, there is a chance of leaking private and sensitive
information. Cybercriminals take these two features as an advantage to obtain
such data and even expose them.
5. Vulnerabilities
Unsafe or unguarded devices are open to numerous threats by hackers and
cybercriminals as they do not have the computational capacity to offer
security. As a result, it leads to unsafe IoT systems that are constantly under
threat.

7. Preventive Methods
We have seen the various ways cybersecurity can attack IoT devices and the
disadvantages of IoT devices for low security. Now, let’s look at how to stop or
reduce the number of cyberattacks on IoT systems.
1. End-to-End Encryption
In an IoT ecosystem, data transfers happen when one device communicates
with another using a protocol. To ensure that the communication is safe, we
can use end-to-end encryption.
2. Selecting a Cybersecurity Provider
Another preventive method is to select an excellent antivirus or expert
cybersecurity provider to protect your IoT system against threats and
vulnerabilities.
3. Checking Mobile Devices
As users, we must ensure that there are locks and passwords on mobile
phones and tablets, as anyone can easily access information from a missing
electronic device. But on the bright side, it is harder to access a locked device,
and trackers can track and provide the exact location of a stolen electronic
device.
4. NAC

8. NAC is the abbreviation of Network Access Control. It recognises all the
devices in a certain network and helps monitor and track devices easily.
5. Segmentation
Each IoT device’s network can be segmented so that it connects to the
internet, and we can limit access to the business network. However, one must
still monitor the network for unidentified access.
6. Consumer Education
Since IoT is a relatively new technology, consumers and users have limited
knowledge about its working and features. Thus if the users are more aware
of their IoT purchases, we can ensure more safety and reduce the number of
cyberattacks.
7. Integrating Terms
Software developers and security analysts must work in the same
environments as a team to ensure better production.
8. Training
As we discussed, IoT is a recent technology. Therefore, IoT staff must be
introduced and trained to specific security terms as they may not be well
versed in the functionality.
9. Patch Management

9. It is crucial to update IoT devices regularly to keep them up to date by using
either network or automation. It is open to many vulnerabilities if we don’t
update devices to their latest version.
10. Security Gateways
This method of preventing cyberattacks on IoT devices offers more power to
the system by acting as an intermediate between IoT devices and the network
itself. In addition, various tactics like firewalls ensure that hackers do not hack
IoT devices.
What Are The Industries That Are More
Prone To IoT Cyber Attacks?
The truth is that if you don’t follow the preventive methods mentioned above,
any industry will be at risk of security threats. Cybercriminals can attack any
domain, be it CIoT (Consumer Internet of Things), IIoT (Industrial Internet of
Things) or IoMT (Internet of Medical Things).
Cybercriminals have no bounds; they can create attacks and breaches on any
IoT system. For example, they may disable a connected car’s brakes, hack an
insulin pump to give too much medication to a patient, hack IoT cameras to
spy on you, and so much more.
So, the best we can do to avoid such security breaches is to take preventive
measures and hope for the best, as millions of companies are tirelessly
working to improve the security aspect of IoT systems.

10. Vulnerabilities of IoT
Before we conclude, let us look at some of the vulnerabilities and security
issues of IoT
1. Unpatched vulnerabilities
Connectivity issues or the necessity for end-users to manually download
updates directly from the command and control centre that are responsible for
software maintenance, configurations, firmware updates to patch bugs and
vulnerabilities, etc
2. Weak Authentication
Most manufacturers provide IoT devices containing easily decipherable
passwords, which might be left in place by vendors and end-users. Thereby,
when these devices are left open to remote access, these devices become
easy prey for attackers running automated scripts for bulk exploitation.
3. Vulnerable APIs
APIs are commonly targeted by a wide range of threats as a gateway for
command and control centers. Some examples of these threats are Man in
the Middle (MITM), code injections, and distributed denial of service.
Summary
As you have seen, IoT security is part of IoT that deals with protecting the IoT
system, servers, networks, and physical devices. You have now learned what

11. IoT security is, why it is needed, the security spectrum, its challenges, the
various forms cybercriminals can attack IoT systems, and 10 tested and
proven preventive methods to stop security breaches. We finally concluded by
discussing the industries vulnerable to IoT attacks and breaches.