The ever-expanding network of smart technology (also known as the Internet of Things) offers a range of convenient benefits to consumers and provides exciting applications in the business world as well. However, if managed improperly, this technology can also present serious cybersecurity risks. This technology, from wearables to office space appliances, has become a big part of the business world — do you know what it is and how it works?

What Is The Internet of Things?

Smart technology, (also known as the Internet of Things) is a natural evolution of the Internet, consisting of a range of new "smart" and "connected" products and technologies used in commercial, consumer, and government environments. It could be your Wi-Fi-enabled coffee maker that you can set with a smartphone app or a smartwatch that tracks exercise activity for you to review. 

On both the consumer and office side, vendors are rushing to meet the growing market demand for new products that are always-on, connected, and available. The ever-expanding network of smart devices offers a range of convenient benefits to consumers and offers exciting applications in the business world.

Whether it’s a smart fridge, a smart kiosk at a McDonald’s restaurant, or the smart console in a user's car, IoT devices can vary greatly in purpose and usage. 

Are IoT Devices Secure?

Not necessarily- IoT devices are becoming a frequent and popular target for cybercriminals.

Unfortunately, aspects of product security and lifecycle are often treated as an afterthought at best in the development and production of these products. More and more of us are buying constantly connected devices for our homes, offices, and even to wear. 

Have you stopped to consider the risks?

As a so-far unregulated aspect of the IT world, IoT devices have been developed with minimal or nonexistent security features, despite the fact that they often connect over networks to sensitive data. 

If your IoT devices aren’t safeguarded, cybercriminals can do a lot of damage to your organization: 

• Using unprotected items as side doors, capturing information travelling through the network.
  Turning off critical systems like servers, production systems, office alarm systems, etc.

• Planting viruses and Ransomware on your network. 

• Taking control of utilities such as shutting off Air Conditioning in Server rooms.

• Deleting or leaking data and stealing intellectual property that can be sold and used by competitors.

You Can Establish IoT Security Through Careful Management & Governance

In order to ensure your smart devices aren’t putting your organization at risk, careful planning of how each device is integrated into your systems and processes must be considered. Policies must be created and applied to dictate how these devices are used, what data they have access to, which network they will be connected to and more. 

Following the right practices can greatly limit the risk these types of technologies can pose to your organization.  

How Can You Use IoT Devices Securely?

Statistica estimates that only 28% of business executives are intending to invest further in IoT-based security. With such low prioritization to device security and a high level of sensitive data at stake, IoT infiltration will continue to trend as a highly targeted area for cyber criminals. 

Users that are concerned about the security of their IoT devices and networks can start to improve their defenses simply by treating their devices like they would any others, and follow key cybersecurity best practices, such as:

• Password Management: Just as a user shouldn’t leave the default administrator login and password set on their router, their laptop, or other hardware, they shouldn’t do so with common items such as the smart fridge they just bought for the office break room either.
  IoT users should make sure to set unique and complex passwords for all their devices and update them on a semiannual basis.

• Network Monitoring: Given that IoT devices are connected to a network, whether it's private Wi-Fi at home or an enterprise solution at work, that network needs to be observed properly to spot any attempts by external parties to break into it.
  Investing in a network monitoring solution, or outsourcing it to a third-party IT company will help to protect networks that include IoT devices. 

• Update and Patch Management: Just as patches and updates need to be applied for conventional software and hardware in use, the same is true of IoT devices. The firmware that these devices operate on will need to be kept up to date with the latest patches issued by developers to make sure that they are kept secure against recently discovered vulnerabilities. 

• Commercial Grade Firewalls: This type of security hardware adds another layer of protection between hackers and your IoT devices, ensuring they’re kept safe from common types of attacks. Make sure you invest in commercial-grade firewalls, which are developed with business use and purposes in mind, as opposed to limited consumer firewalls. 

happier IT Will Help You Manage & Secure Your IoT

While IoT devices are a growing force behind efficiency and competitiveness in modern organizations across industries, they have also become a portal for cyber criminals to exploit organizational networks. 

happier IT will help you securely strategize and implement IoT devices without compromising your security. Connect with us today and learn how your business can take advantage of the IoT, without taking on any extra risks.