Billions of connected devices streaming real-time personal and enterprise data with speculative security assurances has finally gained needed attention and steering towards the most focused area in IoT until 2022. As of now, 80% of devices in the Internet of Things network lack sufficient security fortification, leaving critical data assets unattended and more vulnerable towards cyber attacks.
As an enterprise service provider, you can still bring down the risk probability if utility basics are duly pitched and advertised. While getting the end user on board will surely help, here’s what your collaboration with the user must do.
Follow the Password Aesthetics
Interestingly, half the battle to fortify your network is won if passwords are smartly created and regularly updated. Such stupendous is their role that a detailed guide towards effective implementation of passwords could be written. Here’s what you ought to do –
Have strong passwords – that is, use a complicated combination of alphabets, numerical and special characters. Make sure the entire password string doesn’t have a literal meaning, no matter what spoken language you have used.
And have them everywhere – Lock every device with an exclusive password. Be it mobile devices or fixed equipment, have an exclusive password for each one of them. Use pattern that you can remember easily and that update for all is executed together.
Even the Wi-Fi networks with weak passwords are potential channels of illegitimate traffic and should be stringently protected with strong passwords.
Sadly, in spite of being a hugely impactful protection layer, passwords are overlooked. Don’t let that happen to your IoT network.
Disconnect the Devices When Not In Use
Minus the devices that need uninterrupted internet streaming, identify others that need occasional connection and can be switched off without affecting the overall network.
Unchecked rigorous web connectivity offers a seamless passage for the hackers to get through. By using devices in off and on mode, it is easier to disrupt illegitimate access.
TVs, Microphones, Refrigerators, Cameras, Coffee Makers, Geysers, Door locks and many more types of equipment in the IoT network must be turned off if not needed for a continuous stretch while you are traveling.
Have an Exclusive Network Channel for the IoT
A leaner network with a limited number of connected equipment is less vulnerable to external threats versus an Internet of Things setup sharing a public Wi-Fi. Ask your ISP for an exclusive network layer dedicated to the IoT network.
Segmentation always helps, keeping your critical data streaming secluded from the usual web access by a number of users.
A secluded network will be accessible to your home users or anyone else you want to include, only. It’s a step towards dismaying questionable security in the Internet of Things streaming.
Closely Guard Them with Regular Tracking
The ability to track a device and capture response instantly is the underlying principle for the IoT functionality. Apart from sharing functional data, tracking is the most reliable activity to ensure network security.
The location of every connected device, its current online status, the user’s who attempted access and thus assessing the overall flow of traffic should be thoroughly performed.
A detailed look into the connected devices and their use are highly critical for any business while identifying alien devices seeking any kind of access can be instantly highlighted. Internet of Things would be mostly streaming sensitive data and patching up devices becomes more than imperative.
Update Update Update
From user expectations to security threats, everything has gone agile and enterprises need to revamp their security practices if regularly updating is ignored.
Besides adding application features, installing patches for bugs and resolving security issues quickly, software updates are a must for seamless IoT performance.
These patches address deep security concerns and can be put on automatic update mode too. While everything is connected to the internet, using outdated software applications makes it easy for failing the protection layers and gain access.
Getting in touch with your manufacturer and probing about latest versions and whether or not your devices are compatible, will always help!
Encrypt Your Data
Most of your IoT devices are extensively sharing your personal data. For an example, a device attached to your car is streaming your real time activity including your daily routes, the stopovers, the time at which you leave home and reach the office, driving habits and many more.
Such an information if not protected could invite criminal attacks towards vehicular default and theft.
Encryption sounds highly complicated to a layman user but can’t be proceeded without too. Make use of commercial encryption tools and put the protection in place, now!
Decrypting triples a hacker’s effort to barge into your network.
Don’t Use Personal Devices at Work
As the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) has started encouraging more offices let employees work on their personal pieces of equipment, the temptation can push you into an unsafe zone of data theft.
BYOD is a terrific move for the enterprises cut down on the maintenance cost while you are actually exposing your device (also connected to the IoT channel) to the public networks. Of course, you can rely on your office’s network security but sharing your personal data is still, risky!
The idea of segmenting the IoT network and the devices are same as discussed in # 3.
Don’t use your IoT devices for streaming in public networks.
Have separate equipment for personal and professional use. If cost is an issue, try using cheaper alternatives where data capturing and analyzing is less critical.
Check User Authentication
Assigning roles and responsibilities across different lines of businesses is one of the most critical tasks. As an enterprise, you are always at the risk of unwanted data exposure and controlling the same begins with the legitimate users itself. Clearly, demarcate the access privilege for every participant while reserving high-level authorization access for limited users only.
Account Takeover may fast take a toll over the smooth Internet of Things streaming if issues of unregulated system access are left unattended. One effective solution here is to associate with agencies that offer a detailed insight into the dos and don’ts of role assigning.