Is your IOT security strong enough?

According to a new study by Kaspersky ,64% Of enterprises use the Internet of things (IoT) Solution , among 57% Of companies said their biggest concern about the technology was network security vulnerabilities .

Network attack is one of the most destructive things that can happen to any enterprise , It takes away valuable resources for mission critical tasks , And weaken the company's brand image . IOT devices are attack vectors that many organizations have never considered before , therefore , If your business is concerned about network security , that , You have to go beyond protecting networks and traditional devices . In the following sections , We will explore what you can do to improve the security of the Internet of things .

The Internet of things in specific industries

Before solving the security problems of the Internet of things , It is important to understand how it is used in your industry . Here are some examples .

• Health care ： People with chronic diseases use fitness trackers 、 Wearable Internet of things devices such as pulse oximeter and sphygmomanometer can monitor your condition , And send relevant information to healthcare professionals . Hospitals use other types of equipment to monitor patient status and medical devices .
• manufacturing ： To enhance production operations , IOT sensors can be connected to machines and devices , To collect data and ensure optimal operation . This data enables manufacturers to plan and schedule maintenance according to business processes and order requirements 、 Repair and replacement .
• logistics . IOT sensors are used to monitor the movement of goods , Provide various data of inventory items , And monitor the real-time status of warehouse and transportation .
• automobile . Networking devices enable cars and trucks to keep in touch with valuable services such as safety assistance , Autopilot , Remind the driver that maintenance is required , And track vehicles, etc .
• retail . The function based on the Internet of things enables physical retail stores to provide new customer experience , For example, the optimized fitting room 、 In store shopping guide 、 Auto checkout, etc .

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In the past , The number of cyber criminals' attack portals is limited . Now? , With billions of IOT devices put into use , This creates a large number of additional attack media for hackers to enter the commercial network , Lead to DDoS Attacks continue to grow . These attacks will prevent the website from running , This leads to incalculable loss of revenue and reputation . Other types of attacks may result in data loss and proprietary information being disclosed or shared with competitors .

Ensure strong security of the Internet of things , And the first step in preventing this is to understand the entire digital ecosystem , From cargo containers or sensors on the workshop assembly line to smart refrigerators in the lounge . Since each department may have deployed its own smart devices , therefore IT All this information needs to be put together , Create a database for each device , And evaluate the risk factors of each equipment .

measures

• Use strict access policies ： according to TechRepublic A recent article ,“ The zero trust security method assumes that every network will be breached , Every device will be invaded , Every user （ Unintentionally or not ） At risk .”
• Create a vulnerability management plan . The vulnerability management plan establishes an ongoing mechanism to identify and reduce vulnerabilities , And fix the holes .
• Use a dedicated Internet of things gateway . The gateway of the Internet of things is to connect the Internet of things devices ( Such as sensor 、 IOT modules and smart devices ) Physical or virtual platforms connected to the cloud .
• Ensure Internet of things governance . This approach involves rigorous checks and authentication of each new device 、 Follow the manufacturer's guidelines 、 Give priority to data privacy and ensure compliance with security requirements .
• Develop network immune methods . Network immunity means that Internet of things devices are connected through other devices , No additional safety features required , Protect the system from certain network attacks .

Reduce third party risk

Even if you make every effort to provide strong network security internally , You may also encounter other problems related to third-party suppliers , for example , Supplier employees may have access to your network . So , You must treat them like your employees , And take zero confidence measures . Failure to do so would put the entire organization at risk .

In addition to creating an internal security review and repair process , You must also assess the security situation of your partner company , And make sure they are willing to work within your safety parameters , And make this step part of the review process for each new potential supplier . Besides , Be sure to review your current supplier , To ensure that they comply with your policy .

Create a safety action manual

Once you recognize the specific risk factors in your industry , Also evaluated your digital ecosystem , Measures to reduce internal and third-party risks have been developed , Then please record all this information in the cybersecurity playbook that outlines your policy . It should include how to protect your system 、 Detect and respond to threats 、 Communication between team members , And how to recover data in case of vulnerability .