Are Your IoT Devices Vulnerable to Failure?

The promises the Internet of Things (IoT) advertises are enticing for innovators across industries. Enhanced productivity, data transparency, and competitive advantage are many benefits. 

Yet, IoT has room to grow. IoT device vulnerabilities distract from digital transformation discourse, preventing thought leaders from making confident investments. How truly susceptible are devices to security and performance issues?

The Common IoT Device Vulnerabilities

A company wanting to embrace IoT should know these primary threats against it:

Diverse Transmission Technologies

Sensor-based devices send information using various protocols. One can use 5G, while another may leverage Bluetooth. This widens the threat surface area. The diversity makes IoT adaptable, but every communication type requires curated security tools. 

Therefore, IoT is prone to dangers in every transmission technology, since a blanket solution is not yet possible. However, experts want to refine a widespread transmission technique with security as a primary focus. 

One day, it might be robust enough to protect intricate systems like smart city infrastructure.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

Every electronic device should have EMI built into its internal structure. The interference instigates numerous faults, like data corruption and communication disruptions. 

Prolonged EMI diminished overall system performance, promoting the idea IoT is not reliable or robust. These interruptions also make IoT use more power than it should to execute daily actions, putting budgets and electricity management at risk.

EMI causes a range of failures in IoT. These nodes are responsible for transmitting and storing information in the correct places. Intermittent connectivity causes gaps in transference and data collection. 

It causes data integrity losses and potential corruption as EMI contaminates servers and the cloud. Additionally, interference opens backdoors for hackers to exploit IoT. When security systems fail, it invites malicious actors to extricate information.

Poor Cyber Hygiene

An enterprise’s employees need equal cybersecurity literacy to stay protected from IoT device vulnerabilities. Basic digital safety techniques, like strong passwords and multifactor authentication, need to be deployed with IoT, too. 

Implementers must also collaborate with IT teams. Establish a need to defend networks better with strong firewalls and authentication rules. 

Third-Party Faults

IoT devices in a company likely come from an outside manufacturer. Therefore, vulnerabilities originate from the source. Create a thorough market research and interview plan to discover what the top IoT businesses are doing to protect their devices for customers. 

Some queries to push include but are not limited to:

• How frequently devices update
• How long the device will receive active service
• The company’s history of security breaches
• Policies on updating recalled or insecure components
• Business continuity strategies

The Ways to Overcome IoT’s Shortcomings

Sensor-based ecosystems face more threats to their stability. There was an 87.15 percent year-over-year increase in cyberattacks on these devices from 2021 to 2022. 

It demonstrates a worldwide urgency to protect them from subpar technological and security oversights. Implementers of IoT in a business can ensure high performance with these strategies.

Use Physical Hardening Techniques

Corporations focus on digital security measures over physical ones with their IoT devices. Physical safety is just as crucial, because theft, tampering, and other destructive activities are still possible. Install smart surveillance systems to identify malicious actors with biometric recognition. 

Stakeholders should also incorporate tamper-resistant mechanisms to make breaching a machine a challenge. Pair this with regular inspections, and the physical safety of the IoT setup will be safer.

Install EMI Test Receivers

Critical infrastructure and tech-reliant industries, like health care and manufacturing, must implement IoT only if it includes EMI mitigation and testing functionalities. Decision-making stakeholders weighing the benefits of expensive and laborious digital transformation need fail-safes. 

They use test receivers to maintain security compliance and perform cost-benefit analyses on their implementation plans. Engineers must verify all devices use dependable EMI-shielding materials, including aluminum, copper alloy, or pre-tin-plated steel. 

Additionally, U.S.-based electronics will need to meet standards for office and industrial environments. There are separate standards for in-home electronics.  

Create Training Programs

Improper IoT management concerns employees at all levels, including those who encouraged their installation. Institute educational programs before they become part of the workflow. Then, establish ongoing learning to refine interactivity with the company’s IoT.

Finally, draft documents explaining how to deal with the sensors and electronics when they are no longer in use. Smart end-of-life management and comprehensive deactivation are vital for preventing unexpected vulnerabilities.

Store Backups Regularly

The data in any sensor-based device is precious and worth exploiting from a hacker’s perspective. IoT is also in its early development stages when compared to other long-standing technologies. Mechanical and electrical failures are inevitable.

Make digital backups of all IoT data in secure locations, such as uneditable hardware storage or well-protected cloud servers. 

Every storage outlet must have minimal access points and strong encryption for maximum data security. It protects information from unauthorized individuals. It also allows companies to practice data minimization on-site, while having the information readily available.

Seek Professional Consultations

Penetration testers are tech security experts. They analyze an enterprise's ecosystem's digital and physical vulnerabilities and attempt to pass through without detection. 

These resources are invaluable for identifying the priority oversights to mend in an IoT-forward company. Every phase of implementation, including shipment of purchased items to extended employee use, is an opportunity for a failure to arise. 

Therefore, penetration testers’ advice will guide companies throughout their long-term IoT transformation. They will do anything to manipulate employees and the devices, from using social engineering tactics to get authentication information to trying to install malware. 

Researchers discovered how easy it was to get into IoT-powered security cameras to extract images. Poor passwords, unsafe networks, and low-quality manufacturing standards were to blame. 

These experts report their successes and failures to corporations, informing them where their efforts need to divert for more comprehensive protection.

IoT Device Vulnerabilities to Track

Before making IoT an integral part of a business, stakeholders must consider IoT device vulnerabilities. These are not dealbreakers. Instead, address concerns before sensors are embedded into every operation. 

The first step was developing awareness and educating on the most prominent issues. Now, choose one to take action on before introducing it to staff and shareholders. This will make the most significant impact on the company, its people, and its customers.