This is the era of automation, AI and IoT. More and more companies have changed how they operate and are ready to ride the wave of digital transformation. Considering the speed at which we all move, companies are constantly striving to connect everything virtually.
IoT-connected devices can ‘communicate’ with each other, be it technology devices, smartphones, smart home devices, machines, etc.
Without appropriate security measures, however, these connected devices can provide a direct gateway to personal and corporate networks where sensitive data can be stolen or destroyed. This transformation has opened the door for IoT devices and their widespread adoption.
The industrial IoT (IIoT) market was estimated at $115bn in 2016 and is expected to reach $197bn by 2023, with a CAGR of 7.5% between 2017 and 2023.
IoT devices have made our lives easier and more efficient. While various IoT devices have found their way into our lives, it is extremely important to be aware of the security risks and threats of cyber-attacks.
The following ways will guide you in implementing foolproof IoT cybersecurity measures.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi Use
The use of free WI-FI has been a boon recently. With these free Wi-FI available at restaurants, hotels, airports and more, you’re rarely a short drive from your network and work.
In the same way, free WI-FI is attractive to customers, just as it is for hackers too; this means no authentication is required to establish a network connection. This grants the hackers an excellent opportunity to gain unrestricted access to unsecured devices on the network.
The biggest security threat with using free Wi-Fi is the hacker’s ability to get between you and the network.
When this happens, hackers can gain access to every piece of information you are sending out on the internet. They can, at their leisure, access your system and do whatever they want with the accessed data.
The use of public Wi-Fi comes with a price; only a few truly understand the risks associated with these connections. Learning how to protect devices will ensure your critical business data remains safe.
Create Strong Access Credentials
One of the biggest challenges in deploying IoT devices is misconfiguration and mismanagement of passwords.
Many IoT devices and sensors default to an ‘open’ and insecure configuration. They often contain a very weak ‘default’ password shared by all IoT devices.
If a hacker breaches your router’s security, they could potentially hack into any of your IoT devices and steal your personal and sensitive information.
It is important to create a unique account and application password for each IoT device. If the password for one device is compromised, the others remain intact.
However, if you use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, it will be difficult for your accounts to be hacked.
Keep Devices Updated
You can protect your IoT devices by patching vulnerabilities or exploits as soon as they appear. Firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates are a simple and effective way to keep devices up-to-date and secure.
It also helps the system fix security issues in older software versions. Hackers are working effortlessly to refine their plans to violate IoT devices’ privacy. It is best to keep your software up-to-date and prepared for cyber threats.
IoT devices do not have an additional layer of security; therefore, they need to be updated regularly. Updating your IoT device software ensures that your device has the latest antivirus and anti-malware protection.
Activate Antivirus in Your System
Malicious software is code that can disrupt your computers and laptops and their data.
Your devices can get exposed to these viruses by visiting an unknown web page, E-mail or e-mail attachment, internet downloads and pop-up ads.
Antivirus software can fight back and warn you of a spyware attack. You need to keep all your devices protected from cyber-attack. It is essential to have automatic antivirus updates to keep your software up-to-date and protect your devices from hackers.
Antivirus software detects, isolates and removes malicious code and also prevents it from harming your device. In addition, modern antivirus products are automatically updated to protect your device against the latest viruses and malware.
Conclusion
The surge of IoT devices and services worldwide has led to an eruption of computing and interconnectivity.
About 83% of companies have increased their efficiency by adopting IoT technology. Additionally, up to 94% of retailers agree that the benefits of implementing IoT outweigh the risks.
Until there are proper laws to regulate the security of IoT devices, the chances of cyber-attacks against these devices will only keep increasing daily.
Getting rid of any networking features that are no longer needed and using different strong passwords for your devices can help protect your device from cyber-attacks.