From manufacturing to healthcare, the Internet of Things (IoT) is fostering innovation in a variety of sectors by introducing automation, efficiency, and real-time insights.
However, there are risks associated with high levels of connectivity. The attack surface grows along with IoT ecosystems, providing cybercriminals with additional points of entry to take advantage of.
The term “attack surface” describes all of the potential entry points an attacker could use to access your system. Physical devices, networks, APIs, cloud platforms, and even human error are all part of the Internet of Things. One of the largest cybersecurity issues facing companies today is managing this complexity.
So, how can companies minimize their IoT attack surface and strengthen their defenses? Let’s examine some clever, doable tactics to achieve that.
Maintain an Updated Device Inventory
According to research, 80% of security teams can’t identify most IoT devices on their own networks. That’s a serious problem. You cannot defend your network or connected devices from cyberattacks if you do not know which devices are connected.
Unfortunately, tracking IoT devices is difficult. Most conventional IT tools weren’t designed for the Internet of Things. Network monitoring systems frequently overlook important information since IoT traffic is encrypted or lacks distinct identifiers.
Knowing that you have an HP printer is insufficient. You also need to know its model, firmware version, and serial number. Additionally, legacy vulnerability scanners are frequently ineffective. They provide devices with inaccurate data, which could cause sensitive IoT devices to malfunction.
Tools that speak the native language of the device are the most effective way to locate and control IoT devices. These tools can collect specific data, such as credentials, certificates, running services, and firmware versions.
You can address vulnerabilities, eliminate dangerous devices that regulators have identified, and take proactive measures to secure your network with this level of detail.
Strengthen Password Security
Many IoT devices are still shipped with default passwords, and many companies never change them.
Don’t believe us? Believe the statistics — about 70% of all IoT devices still use the factory-set default usernames or passwords. For certain categories, such as audio and video equipment, the number can be higher.
Even when passwords are changed, most devices only get one update every 10 years.
Ideally, each device should have a strong, unique password that is updated every 30, 60, or 90 days. However, not all devices allow this. Some only support basic 4-digit PINs or limit password length and complexity.
That’s why it’s critical to understand what your devices can and can’t do. For older devices that can’t support modern password standards, consider upgrading to newer models that support better security features.
Keep Firmware Up to Date
Most IoT devices run on old firmware, which makes them easy targets for attackers. Outdated firmware opens devices to threats like ransomware, spyware, and even physical sabotage.
For instance, the average IoT device firmware is six years old, and over 2 million devices are end-of-life and no longer supported by their manufacturers.
It’s essential to update firmware and apply security patches. We know this can be tough in large organizations with thousands — or even millions — of devices. However, ignoring firmware updates leaves the door wide open for attacks. Some enterprise platforms can help automate this process at scale.
In rare cases, you may even need to downgrade firmware temporarily. If a newer version has a known security flaw and there’s no patch available, rolling back to a safer version may be the best option until the vendor issues a fix.
Deploy Firewalls and Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
Perimeter defenses are still a cornerstone of any security strategy, especially for IoT. A properly configured firewall filters traffic and blocks unauthorized access, while an IDS/IPS monitors for suspicious behavior in real time.
Set up next-generation firewalls that support deep packet inspection and IoT-specific protocols. Combine them with a behavior-based IDS/IPS solution to detect anomalies and stop threats before they cause damage.
Disable Unneeded Connections and Limit Network Access
IoT devices often have too many network features turned on by default: wired and wireless access, Bluetooth, Telnet, SSH, and more. These open doors make it easier for hackers to find and exploit them.
To secure your devices, turn off what you don’t need and disable unused ports and services. For example, use SSH instead of Telnet, wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, and turn off Bluetooth if it’s not required.
You should also limit how these devices communicate with the outside world. Use firewalls, VLANs, access control lists, and other tools to restrict traffic.
Protect Data in Transit and at Rest
Sensitive information, including financial transactions, medical records, and industrial control commands, is frequently transmitted by IoT devices. When there is no appropriate encryption, this data is susceptible to tampering and interception.
Use secure protocols like TLS 1.3 to enforce end-to-end encryption. Also, remember to switch to HTTPS and SFTP instead of outmoded protocols like HTTP and FTP.
Regularly Monitor and Audit the IoT Environment
Finding vulnerabilities before attackers take advantage of them requires proactive monitoring. External vulnerability scans can help with this. They look for open ports, configuration errors, out-of-date software, and exposed services, simulating how an attacker might see your system. These scans do the following:
- Identify risks in real-time
- Help prioritize remediation based on severity
- Offer a compliance trail for regulatory requirements
By regularly running scans, businesses can get insightful information about their security posture and address new threats before they become breaches.
Some Final Tips
Cutting down on your IoT attack surface doesn’t have to be too difficult. You can take charge of your IoT environment using proactive tactics like firewalls, frequent updates, and vulnerability monitoring.
Remember that the objective is to make it more difficult for attackers to succeed rather than to completely eliminate risk, which is practically impossible. When companies make security a key component of their IoT strategy, the advantages, like reliability and customer trust, far exceed the effort.
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