The Internet of Things (IoT) has changed the way we live, work, and communicate. IoT devices are almost everywhere, from smart thermostats and fitness trackers to connected cars and industrial sensors; you can find these devices everywhere, and they are helping to streamline various operations, enhance lifestyles, and collect invaluable data.
As useful as it is to have an ecosystem of connected devices, these devices come with a critical downside, which is security vulnerabilities. IoT security is the framework that protects these devices and their data from cyber threats and malicious actors. In this post, we will take a look at what IoT security is and why it is so important.
What is IoT?
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices that are embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity, which enables these devices to collect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet. Common examples of IoT devices include smart home gadgets, healthcare monitors, connected vehicles, wearables etc.
There are billions of IoT devices in use already, and it is estimated that this number will increase significantly in the years to come. As useful as these devices are, they lack proper built-in protection against cyber threats, making them vulnerable and potential entry points for hackers.
What is IoT Security?
IoT Security refers to the tools, policies, platforms, and technologies that are used to protect IoT devices, networks, and the data they generate. A very common example of an IoT security platform is the security panel that you can find on http://192.168.0.1/ admin panel of your router. IoT security aims to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data generated by IoT devices.
Unlike traditional cybersecurity, IoT security accounts for a wide variety of devices with limited memory, processing power, and security capabilities.
Why is IoT Security Important?
IoT Security isn’t just a technical necessity; it is a foundational requirement in today’s hyper-connected world. As more and more devices connect to the internet, the number of risks associated with poorly secured devices increases. Here are several reasons why securing IoT devices is critically important:
IoT Devices are Easy Targets
Most IoT devices are considered to be easy targets for hackers because these devices are usually lightweight and cost-effective, meaning that they don’t have high-end security systems in place and have only minimal built-in security. Hackers can easily exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to networks and steal data from connected devices on the network.
Privacy and Personal Data Are at Risk
IoT devices are a part of the daily routine of many people, and these devices collect sensitive personal information such as health stats, location data, audio, and video feeds. Without having strong IoT security, hackers can gain access to sensitive personal data and spy on homes, track user movements, listen to conversations, and sell data on the dark web.
Weak IoT Security Threatens Larger Networks
A poorly secured or compromised IoT device isn’t just a risk in itself; it can also become a potential gateway for hackers to access larger network infrastructure. If a hacker manages to gain access to one of the vulnerable devices on the network, they can gain entry to other devices on the network as well, steal critical data, and launch ransomware attacks.
For this reason, experts always recommend keeping your IoT devices as secure as possible, starting off with your WiFi router. To secure your WiFi router, turn to this support page to learn how you can access the security settings of the router and secure the entire network.
Safety Risks in Healthcare
In critical sectors like healthcare, IoT devices are widely used for multiple purposes. Any security failure in IoT devices used in the healthcare system can result in physical harm to patients or workers, production shutdowns, legal liabilities, and compliance failures. Therefore, to protect the data and the lives of many, IoT security is essential in a critical sector like healthcare.
The importance of IoT security cannot be overstated in the technological world of today. As our homes, cities, hospitals, and industries become increasingly connected, the risk of cyber attacks also increases. Therefore, having strong IoT security is essential to protect your data, privacy, and safety, and have a safer digital tomorrow.