Securing the Internet of Things (IoT)

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are a common and growing security risk in the modern, interconnected world. IoT devices are increasingly being installed in consumer households and to support business operations.

However, these devices commonly carry significant security risks, such as the use of default passwords and out-of-date, vulnerable software. This not only poses a risk to the device’s owner but also allows these systems to be compromised and used in a botnet to perform Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), credential stuffing, and other automated attacks.

As more systems are connected to the network, this problem will only grow. Securing IoT devices is crucial for protecting personal data and maintaining network integrity and security.

Key Challenges in IoT Security

IoT devices are commonly vilified for their poor security. Some of the most common security challenges include:

• Diverse Devices: A wide variety of systems are connected to the network, from water heaters to industrial machinery. These devices commonly use custom components and protocols, complicating security.
• Poor Security Hygiene: IoT devices commonly ignore security best practices, such as avoiding default passwords, using up-to-date software, and encrypting sensitive information traveling over the network. As a result, they are often vulnerable to attack and place sensitive data and functionality at risk.
• Lack of Standardization: Until recently, IoT devices lacked any standards designed to enforce security best practices. The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act is an example of an effort to change this and provide consumers with information about the security posture of their devices.
• Vulnerable Legacy Systems: In the industrial and manufacturing space, previously air-gapped Operational Technology (OT) networks are increasingly connected to IT environments. While this simplifies management and improves efficiency, it exposes vulnerable legacy systems to attack.

The Role of Network Security in IoT Protection

IoT devices are defined by the fact that they are connected to the network. However, these devices may violate security best practices or lack the resources required to run traditional endpoint security solutions.

Network security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) can play a critical role in closing the IoT security gap. By identifying and blocking attempts to exploit vulnerable IoT devices, they reduce the risk of compromise. Additionally, these devices can identify and address attempted attacks launched by these devices if they are infected by malware and used as part of an IoT botnet.

Implementing IoT Security Best Practices

While the manufacturers are mostly at fault for the poor security, users can also take action to enhance their IoT security, including:

• Strong Passwords: Often, IoT devices are left configured with default passwords, making them vulnerable to attackers. These devices should be protected with strong passwords with multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled when available.
• Software Updates: IoT device manufacturers may periodically release updates to add features or address security flaws; however, a user may not consider that a device like a thermostat requires updates. Performing regular updates helps to close the security gaps commonly exploited to compromise these devices and add them to botnets.
• Network Access Control (NAC): NAC controls which devices are permitted to connect to a corporate network and what they are allowed to do there. Implementing NAC can help to shield IoT devices against exploitation and limit the damage that they can do if compromised by an attacker.
• Continuous Monitoring: IoT devices are a common target for cyberattacks. Continuously monitoring for anomalous or malicious activity can aid in rapid threat detection and remediation.

Why Is Network Segmentation Important for IoT Security?

IoT devices can be a significant weak spot in an organization’s IT security due to their mandatory network connectivity and commonly vulnerable state. Network segmentation is an IoT security best practice designed to limit the risk posed by these devices.

IoT devices on a corporate network should be deployed on a network segment that is isolated from the rest of the corporate network. This both helps to reduce the risk that they will be compromised by an attacker and decreases the threat of lateral movement to other segments of the network.  This segment should be defined by a next-generation firewall (NGFW) that can understand and secure IoT protocols.

Securing IoT Devices with Zero Trust

The zero trust security model is based on the principles of least privilege access and continuous verification. Users, applications, and devices are only granted the level of access and privileges needed to perform their role within the organization. Additionally, each access request undergoes verification to check access controls and identify any suspicious or risky attributes, such as an unusual location.

Zero trust network access (ZTNA) can help enhance the security of IoT devices by limiting access to these devices. This reduces an attacker’s opportunity to exploit these devices and increases the probability that an attempted attack or a compromised device will be quickly detected and addressed.

The Benefits of Zero Trust for IoT Security

Implementing zero trust security principles for IoT devices provides various benefits for IoT security, including:

• Improved Access Control: Zero trust access controls are based on the principle of least privilege. Only allowing authorized users to access IoT devices — and independently validating each access request — reduces the risk of unauthorized access to these systems and their sensitive data and functionality.
• Enhanced Threat Detection: Zero trust access provides visibility into every access request for an IoT device. This in-depth information enables an organization to more quickly and accurately identify intrusions and take action to remediate them.

Enhance Your IoT Security Strategy

As IoT devices are increasingly connected to corporate networks, IoT security becomes a more vital aspect of a corporate cybersecurity strategy. Companies should perform a risk assessment for the devices connected to their networks and implement security best practices, such as network segmentation and zero trust access controls. Additionally, employees should be trained on the security risks associated with IoT devices and how they can be used responsibly and securely.

IoT and OT device security differs significantly from traditional IT security due to the unique risk profile of these devices and the communications protocols that they use. Securing an organization’s IoT/OT environment requires an IoT/OT security platform that understands these risks and protocols. To learn more about how you can enhance your IoT/OT security, contact us.