SpartanTec, Inc. Columbia: Cybersecurity Threats: The Daunting Challenge of Securing IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT), broadly speaking, refers to equipment and devices that can be accessed, controlled, and/or readable via the internet. This includes physical objects that communicate with one another, including machine-to-machine and machine-to person. This makes Cybersecurity more important now than ever.

It includes everything, from home appliances to edge computing devices, to wearable technology to cars. IoT is the merging of the digital and physical worlds.

It is predicted that by 2025 there will be over 30 billion connections for IoT. This means that almost 4 IoT devices per individual as the average average, and trillions of sensors connected to these devices.

The State of IoT 2022: 12 Billion IoT connections (iotanalytics.com). According to McKinsey Global Institute 127 devices connect to the internet each second.

This is a lot of IoT devices. Protecting such a large attack surface is difficult, especially with so many security standards and issues. Security operations view of the billions upon billions of IoT devices suggests that any device connected to it can be hacked.

Threat to IoT Connectivity

Every IoT device is an attack surface for hackers. According to a Comcast report, the average household is being attacked by 104 threats each month. A new report has found that laptops, tablets, smartphones, computers, storage devices and networked cameras are the most vulnerable devices.

The IoT devices are smaller than smartphones and laptops, and have less storage and processing power. It is therefore difficult to use anti-virus, firewalls, and other security apps that could protect them. Edge computing also intelligently aggregates local information, making it a target for sophisticated threat actors.

Ransomware can target applications and data, as well as IoT device hardware. Check Point Research found that there was a 50% increase in ransomware attacks per day for the third quarter 2021 compared to the first half.

There is an increasing number of IoT-related attacks, particularly when remote work and remote offices trends are considered. It is crucial to understand and comprehend the threat landscape. These are the primary threats to IoT as identified by the U.S. General Accounting Office GAO:

Refusal to Provide Service
Malware
Passive Wiretapping
Structured query language injection (SQLi) controls a web app’s database server.
Wardriving (searching for Wi-Fi networks from a moving vehicle by a person)

Zero-day exploits

Some of the GAO-referred threat actors are also becoming more sophisticated with their attack methods. Vulnerabilities and other tools are being shared on the Dark Web, and forums.

These threat actors include hackers, criminal enterprises, and nations. It is important to understand the threat vectors and attackers. However, it is also important to investigate areas that have special implications for IoT cybersecurity.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities & Endpoints

Supply chain weaknesses are exacerbated by the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT’s ever-expanding connectivity means that there is an ever-growing network of devices and networks. A significant threat to the internet-of-things is the increased integration of endpoints and poorly managed attack surfaces.

Hackers can flood websites with traffic requests and cause them to crash by using IoT endpoints. A study by The Altman Vilandrie & Company in April 2017 found that nearly half of U.S. companies using the Internet of Things had suffered cybersecurity breaches. Many more companies were likely to be victims, but did not report the breaches.

The interaction of OT and IT operating system, especially critical infrastructure, is another security concern. Adversaries now have a better understanding of control systems and how they can attack them.

Any type of cyber-attack can be applied to the IoT ecosystem. Future IoT connections via 5G will improve connectivity, performance, and capacity. This will require stronger security for all IoT endspoints.

Cybersecurity Improvement Act

The good news is that policymakers are now recognizing the need to protect IoT. The Cybersecurity Improvement Act was recently passed by Congress.

“The Cybersecurity Improvement Act, along with other guidelines for cybersecurity and device identity, encryption, provide an additional compliance layer that requires OEMs in other industries, such as automotive, medical devices, as well as critical infrastructure to create safe and secure products that provide support in reducing vulnerability during operation.”

The Cybersecurity Improvement Bill provides guidelines for the use of IoT to manage security vulnerabilities.

IoT Cybersecurity Readiness: Possible Solutions and Services

Any security matter, digital or physical, requires a risk management approach. Both of these elements are combined in IoT. Cyber-securing IoT is a significant task. This includes understanding the IoT landscape and how it connects, as well as knowing how to protect the most valuable assets.

There are many options, services and protocols that can be used to help a business or organization manage risk. Here is a list to help address IoT security concerns.

Utilize an IoT Cybersecurity Framework that is based on industry experience and best practice, such as the ones provided by SpartanTec, Inc of Columbia SC
Perform a vulnerability assessment on all devices connected to your network (both remote and on Premises)
Make an IoT/Cybersecurity incident plan
To minimize attack surfaces, compartmentalize IoT devices
To “digitally fence” your network and devices, add security software, containers, or devices
Share and monitor threat intelligence
Examine all software for potential vulnerabilities in applications and networks
Patch and update vulnerabilities on both devices and networks
Avoid integrating devices into your network using default passwords or other known vulnerabilities
Set up privileged access to device controls and applications
For access control, use strong authentication and possibly biometrics
When connecting to a network, use machine authentication
Encrypt IoT communications especially for data in transit
Strong firewalls are a must
Secure routers and WIFI are recommended
Multi-layered cybersecurity protections include antivirus software.
All data should be backed up
Take a look at managed IT security professionals
Cloud security is a service
Incorporate emerging technologies to protect, including machine learning/artificial Intelligence
Continuously audit and utilize real-time analytics (including predictive analysis)
All employees should be trained in security awareness

Be Vigilant

Unfortunately, despite all the efforts made, there is no way to guarantee IoT security. It’s a difficult task. Machine learning and better automated cybersecurity tools will eventually reduce breaches. IoT security, and any security, is best if you are more secure than less. This will make it less likely that you become a target.

A comprehensive risk management approach can help you understand and mitigate the risks of the Internet of Things. This will allow you to reduce security gaps. Everyone connected should make cybersecurity a priority.