Two IoT Device Security Measures That  Instantly Strengthen Network Posture

Most IoT device-reliant operations are sitting ducks. While built to serve many practical applications, IoT devices are not designed to withstand today’s teeming threat landscape.

From insecure interfaces to poor data protection measures, there’s ample opportunity available for bad actors to bring operations to a grinding halt.

But there are measures you can take. You can create a secure ecosystem that will allow for smoother operations and offer less trepidation about the next threat.

This two-point guide explores why authentication and device updates are critical practices. It also shares steps you can take to create a more secure IoT device ecosystem.

Here’s why and how strengthening IoT device security will make your network safer.

Switch to Strong Authentication and Access Controls

Roll out stronger authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA).

While tedious for some, 2FA and MFA act as your ever-present guard dog. They ensure that only authorized individuals can access the interfaces.

While you’re at it, enforce strong access controls by using unique credentials for each device.

Strong access controls limit access privileges based on the principle of least privilege — granting users or entities only the minimum privileges necessary to perform their intended functions or tasks.

In the thick of it, committing to strong authentication and access controls for IoT devices can be overwhelming.

Here are three measures you can take to ease into the practice and move the needle in your organization:

1. Understand Authentication and Authorization

Authentication is the process of device identification, while authorization provides permissions.

IoT devices use these both to implement role-based access control. Control ensures devices only have access and permission to perform specific actions they require.

Which is why it’s crucial to register each device and validate its identity.

Consider public key infrastructure (PKI). It’s a smart and secure option that lets you establish legitimacy and prevent unauthorized access to the network.

2. Choose an Authentication Model

Depending on the nature of your IoT devices, you can use distributed or centralized authentication models — however distributed is considered safer.

Distributed models involve devices storing certificates and identities for validation, while centralized models rely on a central server to distribute and manage authentication certificates.

Decentralized models are harder to exploit because access is controlled by credentials that aren’t all stored in one location.

Centralized models are often what you’ll hear more of in the news today. When a database of a large organization is hacked, it is likely filled with sensitive data and credentials stored in one place.

3. Consider Blockchain-based Access Control

Blockchain technology can be used to enhance IoT access management. Its distributed and decentralized design offers secure and scalable transaction capabilities for IoT devices.

Access control mechanisms, such as attribute-based access control, role-based access control, and access control lists, can provide ample protection for hardware and data in large-scale IoT ecosystems.

Perform Regular Device Updates

IoT device firmware and software are often weak links for several reasons. First, IoT devices typically have long lifecycles, with some exceeding 10 years.

While it’s cost-effective to get the most out of assets, a 10-year lifespan is also a 10-year window of opportunity for new vulnerabilities and security threats to emerge.

Second, IoT devices are challenging to patch. They aren’t designed to run third-party security solutions, and their firmware and operating systems are difficult to update.

Third, IoT ecosystems consist of various devices with different software components. These often span low-level firmware to high-level applications.

Both require updates to address bugs, security vulnerabilities, and improve functionality throughout the product lifecycle.

A Patch and Update Protocol

Managing regular device updates, while complex, is still doable. It’s best to lead with the right approach and best practices at hand. Here are seven recommendations to consider:

1. Automate device discovery and inventory

Get thorough about inventory by identifying the types of devices and their underlying operating systems. You may be tempted to try and do this manually, but resist the urge.

Automation is a more proactive approach. It beats relying on manual inspections that can and often are missed. As part of your automated device discovery, be sure to catalog all IoT devices to maintain your device inventory’s integrity.

2. Analyze network traffic

Installing agents or clients on IoT devices is often not an option, so focus on analyzing network traffic to and from the devices.

A view of what’s considered normal behavior of different types of devices helps paint a clear picture about each device. It helps you establish baselines and continuously monitor for any anomalous behavior.

3. Implement behavior analytics

Lean into machine learning and behavior analytics to automatically detect and identify malicious activities or deviations from normal behavior.

Start by analyzing key data points such as payload size, transmission frequency, destinations, and application data.

4. Enforce trusted behaviors

While common practice, inspecting network packets doesn’t offer a holistic view of what’s really going on in your network. Instead, shift focus to enforcing trusted behaviors within specific contexts.

This works because different types of devices may have distinct transmission patterns. Any deviations from those patterns can indicate potential security issues.

In scenarios where data is encrypted, using modern IoT security solutions can help identify deviations — even when the data transmissions are encrypted.

5. Stay informed about security updates

Vendors often offer newsletters and subscriptions to security advisories that make tracking updates simple. Setup notifications for security updates and patches released for your devices.

In cases where you’re heavily integrated with a specific manufacturer, working closely with them can be beneficial.

6. Consider creating update validation processes

Before deploying updates, establish processes for validating updates. While seemingly a pedantic approach, it’s a cautionary measure that can save you time and potentially prevent operational nightmares.

Testing updates in a controlled environment before deployment can ensure updates are compatible with your IoT devices and will not cause disruptions.

7. Control update deployments

Create a protocol for managing updates so they don’t impact operational performance. This includes considering workflow requirements and controlling the timing and method of update deployments.

It should also involve setting specific hours for updates, considering disabling automatic updates, or utilizing third-party device management solutions to manage updates more effectively.

Don’t Break The Chain

IoT networks can be just as fragile as any other ecosystem. The weakest link will always present the easiest path to exploitation.

As you explore ways to strengthen your IoT device security, consider authentication and device updates as two of your strongest allies.

Because managing device access and maintaining device health makes it easier to guarantee device performance.

¹ Frost & Sullivan