Many of us dream of smart homes where our appliances do our bidding automatically. They could be location-aware spaces, smart furniture with user-aware comfort controls or even unseen computing device that responds to your voice commands to read your schedule and messages to you while you get ready.
The technology behind all these, form the basis of what is called the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is enabling a new generation of auto-adapting, occupant-centric workplaces.
What then is IoT (Internet of Things)?
Before we get into the securing the IoT network, let’s establish our understanding of IoT thereby building a better knowledge base.
Internet of Things (IoT) can be defined as a universe of devices, software, and systems that interact directly with the physical environment while communicating with each other and the IT infrastructure. IoT is one of the foundational drivers for the emergence of the Smart Digital Workplace.
These kinds of workplaces which are equipped with a growing range of IoT sensors and other IoT devices will be able to offer enhanced, interactive experiences to their occupants, visitors, managers and operators.
In addition to new IoT components, the capability and maturity of IoT security frameworks, combined with new forms of cloud-based platforms, will incorporate traditionally-segmented systems like Building Management Systems (BMS) and access control into the overall IoT environment.
IoT devices in the Smart Digital Workplace fall into the following broad categories:
● Environmental – Includes “smart” lighting, HVAC, fixtures like automatic shades, furniture and similar systems, many of them connected to a Building Management System (BMS)
● Security – Includes physical access control, video surveillance cameras and recording/processing equipment, fire control, and other systems associated with safety and protection
● Mobile – Includes users’ smart devices, dedicated mobile devices, mobile PoS and many others
● Application-focused – Includes Bluetooth beacons, room occupancy sensors, digital signage, AV, collaboration and other devices and systems focused on end-user services
● Other – The ever-decreasing cost of increasingly-capable IoT devices ensures that more types of devices, in categories other than the above, will continue to be connected to the network
The Internet of Things (IoT) is projected to grow significantly over the coming years. Research firm Gartner Inc. has estimated that 8.4 billion connected things were in use worldwide in 2017, up 31% from 2016, and expects the number to reach 20.4 billion by 2020.
This growth is being driven by the promise of increased insight, enhanced customer satisfaction, and greater efficiency. These benefits are made possible as sensor data from devices and the power of Internet-based cloud services converge.
One of the key concerns related to the successful adoption of the IoT is having sufficiently strong security mechanisms in place throughout the ecosystem—to mitigate the increased security risks of connecting devices to the Internet.
IoT Security Concerns?
Concerns have been raised that the IoT is being developed rapidly without appropriate consideration of the profound security challenges involved and the regulatory changes that might be necessary.
Most of the technical security concerns are similar to those of conventional servers, workstations and smartphones, but security challenges unique to the IoT continue to develop, including industrial security controls, hybrid systems, IoT-specific business processes, and end nodes.
Every time you connect a device to the internet, whether it’s a car or a security camera or a simple laptop, a lot of security concerns arise. There’s always a risk of corporate or personal information falling into the wrong hands and having a proxy network in place is one of the many benefits of a VPN. The security risks inherent in using IoT devices are numerous and varied with the term “IoT security” being dubbed an oxymoron.
Security is the biggest concern in adopting Internet of things technology. In particular, as the Internet of things spreads widely, cyber- attacks are likely to become an increasingly physical (rather than simply virtual) threat. The current IoT space comes with numerous, security vulnerabilities.
These vulnerabilities include weak authentication (IoT devices are being used with default credentials), unencrypted messages sent between devices, SQL injections and lack of verification or encryption of software updates.
This allows attackers to easily intercept data to collect PII (Personally Identifiable Information), user credentials can be stolen at login or malware can be injected into newly updated firmware.
With all aforementioned, how then can the IoT home network be secured?
Securing the IoT Home Network
● Encryption via VPN: The standard application of VPNs across IoT networks could make those networks significantly more robust than they currently are benefits of a VPN. When a device is connected to a VPN, all of the traffic running to and from it is encrypted. Even if someone were to intercept the network traffic they would virtually be unable to interpret it. VPN that matches these needs is Avast Secureline VPN.
● Authentication: There are different options from which users can choose when they opt for authentication as a form of security. Due to the embedded sensors machine-to-machine interaction in IoT, this form of authentication does not require human intervention.