K
Kathleen Martin
Guest
Computers are faster, smaller and more affordable than ever before. More interestingly, they are being integrated into many consumer products, making everything from our beds to wristwatches smarter, Internet of Things-ready and capable of doing automated tasks. These “smart” devices are proliferating faster than you might expect, with smartwatches becoming one of the largest groups of connected devices, according to data from my company.
However, I’ve seen firsthand through my company’s AI cybersecurity platform that many IoT devices are not sufficiently protected against cyberattacks. Some devices lack even the most basic security measures. As a result, IoT-based cyberattacks are becoming more frequent. For example, variations of the Mirai botnet have infected countless consumer IoT devices since 2016.
This is disturbing, knowing that IoT devices are becoming more and more popular. This makes a large part of the domestic population at risk of having their home network security compromised if steps are not taken to secure their IoT devices.
Vulnerable connected devices are also a threat to businesses, especially considering bring-your-own-device campaigns and hybrid work arrangements where employees use their own devices to access corporate networks.
Today, dozens of IoT device categories are vying for their place under the sun, and while some devices that have a history of security issues might not be gaining a lot of popularity, I’ve seen wearables emerge as one of the most popular IoT devices and believe they could become a target for malicious actors.
Overall cybersecurity depends on IoT security.
The Mirai botnet attack had a significant impact on internet usability back in 2016 and showed why vulnerable IoT devices can be a threat to key infrastructure. It should have been a wakeup call for IoT manufacturers and the wider public. Unfortunately, I’ve found that some manufacturers continue making devices with severe security issues, such as open ports or hard-coded root passwords.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/09/21/what-does-the-consumer-iot-market-tell-us-about-security/?sh=7b49e1005495
However, I’ve seen firsthand through my company’s AI cybersecurity platform that many IoT devices are not sufficiently protected against cyberattacks. Some devices lack even the most basic security measures. As a result, IoT-based cyberattacks are becoming more frequent. For example, variations of the Mirai botnet have infected countless consumer IoT devices since 2016.
This is disturbing, knowing that IoT devices are becoming more and more popular. This makes a large part of the domestic population at risk of having their home network security compromised if steps are not taken to secure their IoT devices.
Vulnerable connected devices are also a threat to businesses, especially considering bring-your-own-device campaigns and hybrid work arrangements where employees use their own devices to access corporate networks.
Today, dozens of IoT device categories are vying for their place under the sun, and while some devices that have a history of security issues might not be gaining a lot of popularity, I’ve seen wearables emerge as one of the most popular IoT devices and believe they could become a target for malicious actors.
Overall cybersecurity depends on IoT security.
The Mirai botnet attack had a significant impact on internet usability back in 2016 and showed why vulnerable IoT devices can be a threat to key infrastructure. It should have been a wakeup call for IoT manufacturers and the wider public. Unfortunately, I’ve found that some manufacturers continue making devices with severe security issues, such as open ports or hard-coded root passwords.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/09/21/what-does-the-consumer-iot-market-tell-us-about-security/?sh=7b49e1005495
