4 min
This is the age of automation, AI, and IoT. More and more companies have transformed the way they do business and are ready to ride the wave of digital transformation. For some, they had no choice but to adopt digitalization because the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to work remotely. This transformation opened the door wide open for IoT devices and their large-scale adoption.
What has made the threat of cyberattacks much more prominent has been IT's growth in the last 20 years, notably cheaper and cheaper IoT devices. This has led to an explosion of network-connected equipment. Compounding this issue is that IT spending has never really matched the pace of hardware and software growth. Inevitably, it leads to vulnerabilities, limited IT resources, and increased IoT devices that now get more attention from would-be hackers.
In our view, this is the main reason why the cybersecurity gap is growing. As it inevitably boils down to counterstrike versus counterstrike. IT teams to plug holes, and hackers find new ones that will never stop. We must continue fighting cyber threats by developing new ways of protecting through in-house testing, security best practice sources, and market and customer leads.
IoT technology is accelerating at such a pace that it can potentially create detrimental problems that many organizations may be ill-prepared - or may not even be able to comprehend. Several flags have been raised already regarding the connectivity of IoT technology, and the debate still centers around who is responsible for the security of these kinds of devices.
Innovative technology deals with the need for convenience that this evolution has developed. It deals with things at the heart of every customer's pain points – time and money. This design is built around convenience. But how much attention should be centered on security when designing these devices? There are already millions of smart home devices globally, including intelligent alarms, locks, lighting, baby monitors, thermostats, and televisions. Every connected IoT device is a data collector. You'll need to secure your network, but you'll also need to ensure no weak links in the network by checking that each device is secure.
There have already been several cases of hackers managing to control webcams, cameras on laptops, and baby monitors. But a cybercriminal could also:
- Access your heating and lighting systems to find out if you're away from home.
- Access your passwords or even your bank account through voice commands through the information you shared with a digital assistant like Amazon Echo.
- Get into your network through an IoT device and launch a ransomware attack making your IoT smart home unusable unless you pay up.
- Use your devices as bots to deliver computing power for a DDOS attack, click fraud, password cracking, or send out spam or mine cryptocurrency.
Another way for manufacturers to deliver solutions protected from outside threats is through constant and consistent testing of the devices long after they are introduced to the market. Hackers wishing to harm will stop at nothing to break into IoT-connected devices, taking every avenue to discover vulnerabilities. But a manufacturer that spends valuable resources to continue testing and retesting products will be able to identify any issues and correct them through regular software updates and fixes to deliver a secure device to consumers.
Keep your software and firmware updated. Firmware keeps you protected with the latest security patches and reduces the chances of cyberattacks. You can fix any vulnerabilities or exploits as they emerge and secure your IoT devices. If possible, turn on the option to check for updates automatically.
Most IoT manufacturers send regular updates, or you can visit their website to check for new updates and security patches. Because IoT devices have no other layer of protection, updating regularly is crucial for their security. Updating IoT device software ensures that the device possesses the latest antimalware and antivirus countermeasures. Moreover, it helps the system clean up the security flaws of older software versions. Hackers are constantly improving their plans to invade your privacy. It is better to update software and be prepared for any outside attacks.
