Smart devices have become an essential part of our lives. They also play a significant role in different industries. We can now change our homes to “smart homes” by using IoT devices. Likewise, most companies use these devices to automate regular tasks. By helping firms to automate and streamline their regular processes, IoT devices provide them with a host of advantages. For example, these devices help companies to gather significant data to make more accurate decisions.
Even though they may seem highly beneficial, they may have some downsides and create vulnerabilities. Generally, securing these IoT devices can be ignored easily. However, failing to protect these devices may result in significant data loss.
That is why securing these devices is of great importance both for companies and individuals. Malicious actors can breach into systems by hacking these devices or they may gather critical information such as bank details or login credentials. In this article, we will talk about how to secure IoT devices. But first, let us explain what IoT devices are.
What are IoT Devices?
Physical objects that are outfitted with detectors, processing power, software, and other technologies that connect to other networks and endpoints over the Internet or other network services to share information with them are referred to as “Internet of things” devices. IoT gadgets may be anything from simple industrial machines to modest, everyday domestic items for cooking. Each IoT device has a Unique Identifier (UID), and they are all capable of sending data on their own without the aid of individuals.
Even though some data they share may seem insignificant at first sight, malicious actors may use these data to gather information. For example, using the details you provided to a virtual assistant through voice commands, they can acquire your login credentials or bank accounts. And the most common cyber threat about IoT devices is that hackers and other malicious actors may gain access to surveillance cameras. Failing to secure these devices may bring about other problems such as malware attacks, ransomware attacks, and data loss. With that all said, let’s cover how can you secure IoT devices with 6 key steps.
How to Secure IoT Devices?
IoT devices are enlarging their borders, from the military field to healthcare, they are used in a variety of industries. The way businesses handle mass information to obtain perspectives has changed as a result of the expanding usage of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Since they play an essential role in today’s business structure, securing IoT devices is of great importance. So, here are the 6 efficient steps to secure IoT devices.
Active and Regular Monitoring
Regular monitoring is an essential practice of cybersecurity. Regularly tracking IoT devices’ activities drastically reduces the chance of breaches. Also, companies and users can see system vulnerabilities and threats with active monitoring. In short, regular monitoring enable users to take action in advance and respond to possible system flaws. With this practice, users can have an insight into the data sent and received by IoT devices.
Security teams can establish a standard for typical network performance with the use of monitoring technologies. This standard serves as a benchmark for spotting abnormalities and may be used in conjunction with detection systems to improve network performance.
Router Configuration
Router configuration is another significant step to protect IoT devices. Since default settings can be easily found by malicious actors, configuring these settings plays an important role. Changing the router’s name and password, and utilizing encryption tools can increase the overall security of IoT devices.
This configuration also includes disabling the features you do not need. Disabling those features may also increase the efficiency of the device as well as make it easier to protect. Also, users should change default passwords to prevent data breaches. Since malicious actors can easily find default passwords with simple research, it is highly suggested to change them.
Create Strong Passwords
Using strong passwords is another way to increase the security of IoT devices. Also, setting various credentials is another practice users can implement. Even if one device’s password is discovered, the others are still secure when you use a different password for each IoT device.
Update IoT Devices Regularly
You should consider that IoT providers may not provide scheduled upgrades or even notify companies or users when new firmware versions are ready. Companies and users should never take for granted that IoT software is up-to-date and prepared to handle new threats. Instead, you need to use an active updating method.
Utilize Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication is another great way to enhance IoT device security. You can add an extra layer of protection by adopting multi-factor authentication. Every time somebody else attempts to get into your IoT device using multi-factor authentication, they must submit an extra form of identification.
Segment Your Network
Network segmentation’s security objective is to minimize the blast radius. By dividing a network into multiple portions, network segregation provides fine-grained management over the lateral movement of activity between endpoints and services. There is a higher likelihood that a single compromising event can spread laterally in an unbranched system.
Conclusion
IoT devices becoming widespread every day, even though they may seem they are not vulnerable to cyber threats, they may compromise security if not protected properly. By tracking the activities of these devices, malicious actors can gather crucial information about users. However, with the steps covered above you can enhance the security of IoT devices as well as your network.