Ten Tips to Reduce IoT Networking and Security Risks

Internet of things has more number of devices than there are people on the globe. As the number of IoT devices rise into enterprise networks, it is essential to interpret and comprehend their requirements and how they differ from other IT gear. 

The significant difference between IoT devices and IT gear is that IoT devices are designed with little to no thought to security. This inability results in low memory and compute power to support security. The reason behind this is that they are explicitly designed for time-to-market and price and features.

IoT devices gather a lot of data via a varied set of communication protocols. So, an enterprise must be proficient in supporting the means these devices use to transfer the data they gather. Interoperability is compromisable because these devices are built around a small set of recent to no set of standards. Vendors and service providers are working relentlessly to fix IoT networking and security issues, but in the meantime, it is essential for networking pros to face these challenges while integrating IoT and improvise according to them.

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Ten tips to reduce IoT security risks:

1) Passwords are the key to security. So, every password on every device should be updated from the default. An unchangeable default password device shouldn’t be used at all. Devices would function optimally with minimal permission.

2) Minutely research everything that is being fed into the system. Be it cloud services that work with it or associated back-end.

3) Discard the unnecessary features. For example, if a smart TV is used for only display, then it’s wise to deactivate its microphone and even its connectivity.  

4) A separate network behind the firewall and careful monitoring keeps the insecure devices away from core networks and resources.

5) Find devices with a hardware factory reset switch, open port or default password. These devices are vulnerable and should be eliminated.

6) Tools that automatically connect to open Wi-Fi networks should be avoided.

7) If the incoming traffic to the IoT devices is out of the organization's control, then ensure that open software ports are avoided so that a hacker or a miscreant can’t control them.

8) If the IoT devices can send or receive data using encryption, then the data is much safer.

9) Avoid using pieces of equipment that can’t get updates. If they get updated, ensure that they are getting patches for enhanced security.

10) Avoid using products that aren’t supported by their manufacturers or cannot be secured by any means.