IoT: Smart Devices are Getting Smarter

a laptop computer sitting on top of a wooden desk

 

The Internet of Things (IoT) grows larger with every passing day, and with so many connected devices with Internet functionality entering the world, one has to wonder how this impacts cybersecurity. Let’s take a look at what could potentially be changing as the Internet of Things expands its borders and scope. 

The Projections for the Internet of Things 

It’s estimated that 127 new IoT devices connect to the Internet every second, and with the numbers swelling to 75 billion by the year 2025, there are countless opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit them. Even commercial Internet of Things devices are not safe from the attacks of hackers. 

For one example of how this growth has impacted cybersecurity, turn to 2017, when the United Kingdom’s National Health Service—including its Internet-connected medical devices—was struck by ransomware. Furthermore, video doorbells will often stream data without protections, and smart home devices have been known to store wireless network credentials in a similar way. 

The question then becomes, how do you secure an infrastructure with so many weaknesses in it? 

What Can Be Done to Secure the IoT? 

There are many ways you can solve the IoT security crisis, one of which is the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020 in the United States. This piece of legislation introduced IoT industry-specific standards and shows that governments understand that this is a problem which must be addressed. Despite these movements, it’s important still to do all you can for the sake of your own business, such as the following: 

Encrypt Data 

Relatively speaking, few IoT devices utilize encryption to protect their data. Implementing it on a network level can be an effective tool for keeping data secure, especially while it’s moving back and forth on the network or between devices. 

Change Default Passwords on IoT Devices 

All default passwords should be changed, especially on IoT devices that often use the device model as the default password. Just come up with a secure password and you are already leagues ahead of where so many others are. 

Use Devices from Security-Conscious Manufacturers 

One way your company and its users can make security a priority is by simply looking at the manufacturers you work with. Supporting those that make security a priority will aid you in the long run, and it will encourage others to follow suit when you put your money where your mouth is. 

 

AE Technology Group can help your business secure its IoT devices and network. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006. 

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Make Safer Decisions Involving The Internet of Things

make safer decisions involving the internet of things

Have you heard of The Internet of Things? ZDNet recently published an article called “The Internet of Weaponized Things,” highlighting the potential dangers posed by Internet-enabled devices and services.

Many businesses focus on the convenience and efficiency of such devices (which are undeniably beneficial), while not understanding the full extent of their vulnerabilities to hacking and data leaks.

For example, Internet-enabled security cameras have been hijacked and turned into bots that can launch massive DDoS attacks, bringing down business websites and causing various kinds of downtime and disruption. Devices can be hacked as a way of infiltrating a company’s network and obtaining confidential information, ranging from credit card numbers to personal identifiers.

How can we make these devices safer?

One major step would be to demand and enforce certain cyber security standards for these devices. Currently, many Internet of Things manufacturers disregard cyber security to an alarming degree. An important step in improving standards came recently from Consumer Reports, which plans to include information about a product’s security and privacy as part of its influential reviews.

But businesses need to take the appropriate steps to protect themselves now. They can’t wait for standards to be established at some future point.

The following are some of the steps businesses can take:

  • Carefully evaluate devices before purchasing them.
  • Configure devices properly. For example, make sure to switch from the default password to a more complicated one, use firewalls, and check that the devices aren’t exposed to the public Internet.
  • Understand how the devices are connected to the rest of your network, and ensure that they don’t have an unnecessary connection to sensitive parts of your IT set-up, such as your point-of-sale system.
  • Continuously monitor the activity from these devices to detect signs of cyber attack.

For further advice and assistance, please contact us. As experienced IT professionals, we’ll help you set up, configure, and monitor your devices to help prevent costly cyber attacks and data breaches.

How the IoT Internet of Things is Helping Businesses

how the iot internet of things is helping businesses

The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things, commonly abbreviated as the IoT, is still an evolving concept. The general idea of different devices connecting to one another to share information and optimize task management and data collection is fairly well understood at this point. But the specifics of how this functionality can be applied to everyday life are changing constantly.

In business, however, some reliable IoT functions have already begun to impact companies in major ways. By improving store experiences, bettering shipping practices, and even changing office spaces, the IoT is transforming how a lot of work is done behind the scenes.

Improving Store Experiences

Many believe that beacon technology is the next big thing in retail, and indeed we’ve already seen some of the biggest businesses and store chains in America experimenting with it. Basically, the technology consists of small sensors that can be equipped with Bluetooth and stashed throughout stores in order to locate and reach out to customers automatically. The beacon sensors automatically connect customers to stores in a way that can enhance the shopping experience through helping to locate products, notification of special deals or coupon offerings, and so on.

As was outlined here, Target is one of the major retailers looking to take advantage of beacon technology, and is doing so to “infuse its massive retail stores with the perks of online shopping.” Basically, they’re seeking to bring people’s favorite elements of online shopping – convenience, tailored offerings, and general simplicity – to brick-and-mortar stores. And it’s all being made possible by tiny IoT devices.

Bettering Shipping Practices

While beacons in retail are meant to specifically reach out to customers through mobile technology, there are other ways in which the IoT is impacting businesses in a more unseen manner. Many of the most exciting aspects of the IoT are those that we can easily see in day-to-day life, but the truth in business is that a lot of the biggest innovations will be more or less invisible to consumers. One such innovation is the use of WiFi-enabled fleet vehicles and tracking systems to improve shipping efficiency and safety.

It’s explained on this page about Verizon’s involvement in implementing IoT technologies in shipping division that taking advantage of these ideas can have numerous benefits for a business. By setting up systems that automatically track vehicle activity, share vehicle diagnostics, and work to determine efficient routes, companies can now make more informed decisions (directing drivers, monitoring traffic issues), maintain vehicles more effectively, manage fuel economy, and keep drivers safe. In the long run, these benefits added together can amount to significant savings for a major company with a large shipping operation.

Changing Office Spaces

The changes that are occurring in some office environments are among the most fascinating business IoT-related changes we’re seeing these days. We tend to hear a lot about how the IoT has the potential to make our homes “smart,” by managing temperatures, cutting energy costs, and generally learning and catering to our preferences. But it now appears that the smart home concept is being applied in ways to offices as well.

Specifically, this site addressed the ways in which businesses are using movement-tracking technologies to optimize work environments (and save money). A company called Enlighted has begun arming lights in offices with motion sensors, which gather data about employee movement that can be used in many ways. The clearest benefit is that the sensors can automatically turn off lights and other utilities in areas no one happens to be using at a given moment. But the sensors can also be used to collect data that a business can use to restructure and improve the office, such as which areas may not be used, which departments may need to be closer together (based on traffic between them) and more.

Consider all of the above and a pretty clear picture of the IoT’s place in business quickly emerges. It’s all about tracking activity for the purpose of data-based adjustments. And the fact that the involved technologies are still in their earliest phases of development and availability is very exciting for the business world.