Smart Devices Risk Evaluation

IoT Risks Are Hiding in Plain Sight | 🧠#MicrolessonMonday The Internet of Things (IoT) connects an ecosystem of devices, like smart home gadgets or industrial sensors, that enable data exchanges and automation. These devices collect data, stay connected, and quietly expand a business’ surface area. They also introduce invisible threats that are perhaps not within the scope of the incident response plan. 𝙄𝙤𝙏 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧 🔓 Default Logins Many IoT devices skip multi-factor authentication and real-time alerts, so a single hacked camera or smart plug could expose an entire operational technology network. 📡 Unencrypted Data Sensitive data is often transmitted in plaintext which persists as an obvious vulnerability, particularly in the outdated or “legacy” devices still prevalent in healthcare and industrial business sectors. 🕵️ Shadow IoT Rogue smart TVs, covert voice assistants and other gadgets “lurk” in enterprise networks, hidden in plain sight, yet within the bounds of the perimeter. 🔌 Supply Chain Backdoors IoT hardware, often assembled across multiple global supply chains, frequently harbors backdoors (hidden access) and pre-installed malware.   𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝘽𝙚 𝘿𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 🔐 Establish an IoT Governance Policy
Define what devices are allowed, who can approve them, and how they must be configured. Require unique, complex credentials & MFA. 📡 Segment the Network
Mandate that IoT devices live on a separate VLAN fully isolated. Enforce segmentation through written policy and periodic validation. 🧾 Inventory Everything
Institute mandatory device scanning and documentation procedures. No more “shadow IoT”. 📋 Update Your IR Plan
Most incident response plans ignore IoT. Update yours to address scenarios where a smart device becomes the threat vector. 📁 Train Employees & Manage Vendors
Make IoT security part of employee awareness. Confirm vendor contracts, and privacy reviews include terms for smart devices and data flows. #Cyberinsurance is also adapting to the risks posed by IoT. Some insurers now assess #IoT device security, patching, and network segmentation during underwriting. IoT breaches can trigger coverage for data loss, business interruption, or third-party liability. (There are often exclusions or sublimits). And what about “person cyber insurance”? Some of these policies cover smart tech, but often require strong passwords and app-based MFA to qualify. The smart devices in your office are awesome and convenient. But they also expand the attack surface. If your company is not governing them, it is a gamble. IoT risk is business risk, and it belongs on everyone’s compliance, legal, and insurance radar. Pierson Ferdinand LLP

Current IoT risk assessments are broken—and here’s how to fix them courtesy of new research… As IoT systems grow more complex, traditional risk models fail to account for the cascading, interconnected threats these devices introduce. The research from this paper highlights that IoT risks aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a web of dependencies where one device's vulnerability can trigger widespread system failures. If you are in manufacturing or healthcare, this is a significant challenge. The authors propose a dependency-based cyber risk model to capture the interdependencies between IoT components and estimate how risks in one part of the system can affect the whole. The model uses AI/ML techniques for real-time risk estimation, making it adaptable across various IoT domains like healthcare, smart cities, and industrial IoT. It also integrates risk transference strategies, such as cyber insurance, to help organizations mitigate financial losses from cyber incidents. Key takeaway? The old ways of assessing cyber risk don’t work for IoT. The proposed model offers a dynamic, scalable approach to understanding and managing IoT-specific risks, and it’s time we embrace these more holistic strategies before it's too late. 74 pages...but well worth the read if IoT security is on your radar. #cybersecurity #IoT #risk #ai Claroty Upa Campbell

To ensure secure IoT communications and transactions, it is essential to understand potential threats, strengthen device security, use encryption, manage identities and access, segment networks, establish security policies, and continuously assess and mitigate risks. Understanding Threats Comprehending threats such as DDoS attacks, Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, and malware infections is crucial for implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect IoT devices and the data they handle. Strengthening Device Security Implement robust authentication mechanisms, regular security updates, and secure configurations for IoT devices to ensure that only authorized users and devices access the network and that vulnerabilities are minimized. Using Encryption Utilize encryption for data in transit with protocols like TLS, and for data at rest to ensure that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access and interception during transmission and storage. Managing Identities and Access Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and maintain comprehensive monitoring and logging of all activities to manage user permissions and quickly detect and respond to suspicious behavior within the IoT ecosystem. Segmenting Networks Isolate IoT devices from the main network and use firewalls along with Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) to limit the potential impact of any security breaches, keeping the overall network secure. Establishing Security Policies Educate employees on the importance of IoT security and best practices, and have a defined incident response plan to ensure the organization is prepared to handle security threats effectively and efficiently. Continuous Risk Assessment Conduct regular risk assessments and implement a vulnerability management program to identify, evaluate, and address security weaknesses in IoT devices, maintaining a proactive security posture. #IoT #Cybersecurity #DataProtection Ring the bell to get notifications 🔔

IoT Security is A Critical Business Imperative The Internet of Things is transforming industries. But with great connectivity comes great responsibility. Let's address the pressing issue of IoT security.   Current IoT landscape:   - Many devices have significant vulnerabilities - Consumer products often lack robust security measures - Industrial systems face increasing cyber threats   These challenges are serious but manageable.   Here's a practical approach to enhancing IoT security:   ↳ Encryption Implement strong data protection protocols. ↳ Regular Updates Maintain current firmware and software across all devices. ↳ Authentication Utilize multi-factor authentication where possible. ↳ Network Segmentation Isolate IoT devices from critical systems. ↳ Continuous Monitoring Implement systems to detect and alert on anomalies. ↳ Device Management Maintain an accurate inventory of all connected devices. ↳ Risk Assessment Regularly evaluate and address potential vulnerabilities.     IoT brings a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology.   Securing these systems is essential for sustainable growth and innovation.   Are you prepared to enhance your IoT security strategy?   Let's build a more secure and efficient connected ecosystem.   And yeah, you’re welcome to share your thoughts on IoT security challenges in your industry. 👍

📡 75 billion IoT devices by 2025. But most are exposed, unmonitored, and easily hacked. Every “smart” device is a potential attack surface. And attackers love when you forget it exists. Why it’s a ticking time bomb: 🔸 Only 16% of organizations fully secure their IoT 🔸 IoT-targeted attacks are up 35% year-over-year 🔸 Each breach = $330K+ in losses (on average) From smart TVs and printers… To insulin pumps and security cams… Most devices ship with weak defaults and stay that way. The biggest problem?  IoT security is still an afterthought.  💣 No firmware updates 🕳️ Default credentials ❌ No visibility or inventory 📡 Poor encryption Your network is only as strong as the weakest device connected to it. What security-first organizations do differently: ✅ Build security into the device lifecycle ✅ Monitor endpoints continuously ✅ Automate inventory and visibility ✅ Hold vendors to real SLAs ✅ Train teams to recognize IoT threats  What’s the most overlooked IoT vulnerability you’ve seen in the wild? 🔔 Follow Marcel Velica for sharp insights on cybersecurity, resilience, and risk-proof architecture.