IOT Security Needs to be done - Inside Out
A recent report by Business Insider Intelligence predicts that there are going to be about 41 billion IoT devices up and running by 2027. That is an increase of about 32 billion from 2019. That means that IoT is rising about 500 percent in under ten years. With so many different IoT devices online businesses around the globe are scrambling to ensure that they have effective IoT breach detection but many are falling woefully short.
What Makes it So Tough to Detect an IoT Breach?
The most often used method for detecting threats and breaches is network monitoring. Most companies have a relatively effective security program going on when it comes to detecting threats in the IT arena--even those having to do with the network devices.
The OT side of things though isn't always up to speed. They seem to be playing catch-up eternally. That is typically because the monitoring tools for IoT and industrial devices are just not adequate and in many cases not accurate. Traditional tools may overlook or fail to detect IoT devices and so they are not always registered in the inventory of assets being monitored. The tool issue is usually because the systems aren't always compatible. There are not enough sensors and network monitoring tools don't usually look for things like suspicious behavior on the IoT devices, it looks for them on the network instead.
IoT devices need to be protected from the inside out. Once the attacker gets inside there is very little protecting the device. Most of them are insecure inherently because they were built without any way to repel an attack.
The IoT devices of today are built with convenience in mind and not security and that certainly needs to be changed in order to ensure network protection and device protection as well as people protection.
What Does, Inside Out Mean?
In many cases IoT devices operate without standards of security. There are, in many cases, not even oversight or regulations that are guiding the manufacturing process. IoT manufacturers are beginning to adopt a new mindset but many are not yet there.
They believed that security by obscurity was the answer and years ago it was. With so many devices online these days and so much availability to data that is no longer the case.
Security should and must be given a very high priority all though the lifecycle of the products. Manufacturers today must be building security into them so that the device ships with no vulnerabilities known and they are attack resistant. If something is found the devices must be able to facilitate their own patches or critical updates to ensure that they stay secure.
What do you feel needs to be done to ensure the security of the IoT devices in use today? Is legislation the answer?
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CEO at Linked VA
4yA really practical write up Bill, very useful! Where did you get the info from?
Value stream leader for digital, customer and employee global solutions.
4yGreat article Bill. Security should be the first priority when it comes to OT and IoT working together towards future success.
Former Capital Markets/Wall St. Analyst turned Finance Recruiter | Helping CFOs/Finance Execs Hire Niche Talent | President @ FiSource Search Group | CFA
4yWow, that is huge expected growth, and security must be a priority. Thanks for sharing!
Hiring world-class executive leaders @ KOHLER | DEI Enabler | Coach
4yThat is a crazy jump in devices in a decade! I can see why it's critical to have top talent in this area.
A Relentless Executive Recruiter Helping Middle Market Companies Make The Right Hire
4yWow, IoT is rising about 500 percent in under ten years! Great insight Bill McCabe! I'm no expert but I believe there has to be some legislative action.