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Security for the Internet of Things

The term Internet of things (IoT) defines a system of interconnected smart appliances, digital machines, computing devices, objects and people. It is capable of transferring data through a network without requiring outside involvement. It is quite an interesting new development in technology and one that is rife with yet untapped possibilities. The type of things you could do with IoT devices has massive potential. A bed-ridden patient with a heart monitoring system, or an automobile sensor’s behavior that can alert the driver when the pressure of a tire is low, are all part of the exciting IoT world.

the internet of things

What’s great about IoT?

It has an enormous range of applications in many industries such as healthcare, building management, energy industry, precision agriculture, transportation and lots more. The main challenge for IoT pioneers right now lies in developing better network connectivity options that could expand IoT potential even more. We all know the limitations of human accuracy, attention, and our available time, which means we are often unable to capture and use all the data we could be using about things in the practical world. Thus, if we can use a complex network of interconnected devices to assist us in all aspects of our daily life, just think about how much more we could accomplish! For example, we could become a lot less wasteful if we were able to accurately plan and track the resources we need and use.

The internet of things (IoT) is moving from a centralized form of organization to a complex community of decentralized smart devices. This shift guarantees entirely new offerings and industry opportunities. An increasingly connected world will observe the emergent networking and cloud-enablement of all kinds of physical devices from heavy machinery to automobiles to household equipment. It is even remodeling manufacturing by way of automation, as we move toward what some have dubbed the fourth “industrial revolution”. Accelerated through new initiatives, like the German executives’ Industry 4.0 undertaking, this stage of commercial development will see the emergence of sensible factories powered and secured by sensible semiconductor options, capable of sharing knowledge and optimising tactics across the entire work chain.

The Matter of Security

The IoT is constructed on many extraordinary technologies, including energy management instruments, sensors, and cutting-edge microprocessors. Thus, performance and protection needs differ noticeably from one application to another. One factor is constant, however. And that’s the proven fact that the success of clever properties, related cars, and Industry 4.0 factories hinge on consumer trust in potent, convenient-to-use, fail-reliable security solutions. The bigger the volume of sensitive data we entrust in our IoT devices, the greater the danger of this information leaking out to hackers, or of identity theft, device manipulation, knowledge falsification, IP theft and even server/network manipulation.

IoT needs better security mechanisms that can secure it in its totality.

Innovative security solutions are needed

Companies have been providing security solutions to guard customers’ data and have already shipped many millions of security programs and hardware across the world. Currently, many such companies are channeling their innovation efforts towards the IoT realm, helping to create new, more sustainable security solutions that can work with a range of devices. Their portfolio ranges from business solutions to securing smart homes and all interconnected devices.

We are now looking at three key challenges in ensuring security for the Internet of Things:

1. Millions of potential vulnerabilities

Every single device and sensor in the IoT represents a potential competency threat. How sure can we be that each and every one of these interconnected gadgets, which hold our data, is able to maintain the confidentiality of that information and guarantee the integrity of our data?

Researchers from the French technology Institute Eurecom downloaded some 32,000 firmware photographs from IoT device producers and discovered 38 vulnerabilities across 123 products. This included negative encryption and backdoors that would allow unauthorized access. And one vulnerable link would suffice to open access to countless numbers of devices in a community.

2. Safety built from the ground up

Corporate solutions will likely be overwhelmed from using the data from all of the linked sensors in the IoT. But how sure can you be that the information sent across a network of connected devices has not been compromised or tampered with?

Companies have been well equipped to deal with spoofing attacks and the use of false information across the Internet. In recent years, we’ve seen great improvements in both home and corporate security, but we’ve also seen online criminal activities becoming more complex. The more our tech advances, the more clever criminals become in exploiting a system’s vulnerabilities. In this regard, IoT offers a myriad of breach opportunities that did not exist before, because most people don’t think of their smart fridge as a potential security weakness.

Safety needs to be built into the very core design of these interconnected gadgets, and security solutions need to cover entire networks, not just singular devices.

3. Information collection and protection

The ultimate point for the existence of IoT is to make our everyday lives less difficult and to enhance the productivity of organizations and their staff. The info thus accumulated will help us make smarter decisions. But with so many devices collecting and exchanging data, this will likely also have an influence on our privacy expectations. If knowledge amassed by way of related gadgets is compromised, it will undermine our faith in the future of IoT. We are already seeing consumers place larger expectations on firms and governments to defend their personal information.

Bitdefender BOX  – a new, all-around security option for the home

bitdefender box

Many companies have already begun developing a range of convenient-to-install technologies to counter emerging security threats in the IoT. One such solution is Bitdefender BOX,   which ultimately enables system and gadget manufacturers, as well as service providers, to capitalize on growth opportunities of IoT in the home user sector.

work setup

The BOX is a small piece of hardware that combines antivirus software and cloud protection to ensure that every single smart device in your home is safe.  The BOX scans your network to identify potential security vulnerabilities, and then relays any relevant information, as well any recommendatios, to you via a handy mobile app.

Thus, Bitdefender BOX can be a good all-in-one security solution for the IoT. This means that if you have the BOX installed in your home, you won’t need to purchase any additional antivirus programs at all, no matter how many smart devices you add to your network.

Share your views on this topic in comments.

Credits => Image 1 => Google image search| Image 2 & 3 => Bitdefender.com

Comments (1)

  • Hi Amish,
    Thank you so much for the kind share about this wonderful device,
    Indeed security is the key in Internet of thing.
    Woh, the Bitdifinder is the one for the time, the features you mentioned are all in one is really worth a try,
    Hey, Rankin, what is the cost effect of this device the site says a 50% less offer but the rate.. Could not locate. I think it’s better to give a rough idea about the cost in the review itself. Or is I missed it!
    Thanks for sharing
    Best
    ~Phil

    Reply

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