Over the past decade we’ve seen an increase in consumer grade IoT devices, but the security of those devices hasn’t always kept pace with the realities of the cyber threats targeting what is arguably an unmanaged computing device. These cyber threats are made more concerning when the expected lifespan of the device is factored in. After all, dishwashers, thermostats and doorbells aren’t devices like smartphones where there is social pressure to have the latest version.
Internet of Things (IoT) devices are now responsible for 32.72% of all infections observed in mobile networks, up from 16.17% in 2019, according to a new Nokia Threat Intelligence Report 2020. This trend lines up with the growing number of IoT devices that are now connected to mobile networks, says Nokia's Threat Intelligence Lab.
The digitalization of industrial infrastructure is underway, and 55% of organizations are confident that the Internet of Things, as one of its key aspects, will change the state of security in industrial control systems (ICS). According to Kaspersky’s recent report, 20% of organizations have already prioritized IoT-related incidents, but effective solutions against IoT threats are not yet widespread.
Today, as an increasing number of organizations, including top tech companies like Google, Twitter and Facebook, have announced extended remote work plans, IT teams must ensure employee devices are secured to sustain the long haul. With IT burnout high, user awareness low, and malicious activity rising, this is often easier said than done. Here are top three tips for IT teams to ensure employee devices remain secure as remote work looms.
To help you and your organization plan and implement an improved cyber hygiene program, we now present a framework for full IoT device defensibility in real world deployments at scale. This framework represents current state-of-the-art best practices for protecting IoT devices, and can form the backbone of your assessment, evaluation, and improvement plans. Follow the steps below to strengthen your network defenses.
The health, safety and security challenges that business owners and managers have faced in 2020 have made one thing very clear: COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst for a flurry of investments designed to spur the reopening of retail stores, commercial office space and public venues. Such investments don’t need to be singularly focused on opening the doors, but instead can be part of a more sustainable solution that can offer long-term value and flexibility that can be applied to a variety of situations.
This is where smart security cameras connected to the IoT can help.
The pandemic has redefined what it means to be a resilient business, especially when it comes to retail. “Essential” businesses that have remained open, such as supermarkets or pharmacies, have had to figure out how to operate safely in this new world. No matter the type of retailer, the importance of cybersecurity hasn’t gone away. If anything, it becomes more important as a cyber disruption could be the fatal final straw for a business looking for a smooth return to operations and maintain its brand image and reputation.
The Australian Government has released The Code of Practice: Securing the Internet of Things for Consumers (Code of Practice). The guide represents a first step in the Australian Government’s approach to improve the security of IoT devices in Australia.
International technology standards consortium Object Management Group® (OMG®) and the Industrial Internet Consortium® (IIC™) announced the first vertical profile for the recently released v1.2 of the IoT Security Maturity Model (SMM) Practitioner’s Guide. Targeted specifically for the retail industry, IoT SMM: Retail Profile for Point-of-Sale Devices will help retail organizations determine the right level of investment to meet their security needs.
