What are the dangers of IoT and what does the future hold?

The Internet of Things (IoT) can boost everyday living with increased efficiency, but it also comes with risks. Can this double edge sword be protected against or are businesses just too vulnerable?

What is IoT and does it need security? 

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technological system that refers to the network of physical objectives or "things" that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for exchanging data with other devices over the internet. 

It allows us to share and connect data with human to human connection. 

alright, so why does it need security? Well the issue is because its connected to the internet it is susceptible to cyber breach or hacking. This is more severe for businesses who's processes rely on IoT devices. Businesses will usually end having more endpoints and therefore more attack surfaces or exploit vulnerabilities. 

An 'endpoint' is a remote device that communicates with a network to which it is connected with like a phone. 

IoT needs security for a number of reasons. First being to protect sensitive and private data. A business is going to have some problems if its security cameras are hacked for example. Furthermore, the hacker will be able to utilize the functions of the IoT device. A DDoS attack is also quite common for cyber breaches and can really hurt businesses who rely on IoT and need such services to be up and running. 

Maybe a password for your IoT devices is enough for you at home, but perhaps greater intervention is required at business level. 

But with the COVID-19 Pandemic forcing schooling and work to be online, DDoS attacks have grown significantly more than normal. Scary enough, they have almost doubled in occurrences from the start of 2019 to 2020.  

What does IoT security look like?

The security varies on what those endpoints look like that your specifically trying to protect. I would say it starts with password control and simply ensuring devices cannot be accessed easily or without some sort of administration. A strong password is another line of defense for hackers which may or may not be enough to discourage hackers depending on the information they have and their level of competence. 

Another component is router security and having a firewall since your router can be an initial point of attack. Installing an endpoint security solution can allow you discover vulnerabilities in your network before a hacker does.

Ensuring your devices are updated and patched with current software will increase protection. This is due to vulnerabilities being able to be detected early on with updated software. 

So, do we will be needing strong security measures in the future?

Well I guess it depends. Perhaps it will be inevitable with the growing market of IoT devices. We are constantly in a rat race to produce the next profound piece of technology that maybe were dismissing or underestimating the importance of security for such devices. 

Undoubtedly IoT devices are useful, especially in business, but maybe we need to rethink the implications of giving your fridge wifi.