The IoT and Cyber Security in 2023

It might sound a little hyperbolic, but it’s unlikely that we go a day without encountering IoT. This article will deeply discuss about IoT and its importance in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity is becoming more and more important as Internet of Things (IoT) technology is integrated into everyday systems, lifestyles, and enterprises. Cyber security is a term for all techniques and technologies used to protect platforms, networks, and devices from online threats. With the expansion of the IoT also come threats that could seriously damage the very vulnerable system of the IoT.

The IoT, however, also creates a gateway for cyberattacks or other disrupting interventions when it surrenders power to computers. If Cyber Security is not effectively implemented, the IoT also runs the potential of risks similar to how individual websites or databases can be attacked.

The IoT, abbreviated for internet of things, is a system of interconnected computers, physical and digital technology, objects, creatures, or people that may communicate with one another across a network without direct human or computer contact.

IoT is being used more and more by businesses across a variety of industries to make operations more efficient, better understand their customers to offer better customer service, improve decision-making, and increase the value of the business.

• Healthcare and Medicine

Remote health observation and emergency alert systems are made possible by IoT devices. These health monitoring tools can include everything from blood pressure and heart rate devices to sophisticated gadgets that can keep an eye on specific implants like pacemakers, Fitbit wristbands, or cutting-edge hearing aids.

• Energy Management

Integration of Internet-connected sensing and actuation systems is expected to optimize overall energy consumption. All types of energy-consuming equipment, including switches, outlets, lightbulbs, televisions, etc., will incorporate IoT devices. These IoT devices can centrally manage user devices using a cloud-based interface or remotely operate users’ gadgets.

• Smart City

More crucially, the Internet of Things in a smart city can help with the integration of information processing, control, and communications across different transportation systems.

It can offer vehicle control, smart traffic control, smart parking, inter- and intra-vehicle communication, as well as safety and road assistance.

• Wearables

The other popular IoT topic is wearables. IoT wearables are increasingly being developed for consumer use. For example, Apple Watches. The Apple can be used to operate a smart home.

IoT technology may have a straightforward concept, but its implications are substantial. The manufacturing, retail, energy, healthcare, and agricultural sectors are all undergoing radical change as a result of the technology.

Organizations are now able to build and deploy more effective risk management strategies thanks to new IoT applications. The top 10 examples of IoT devices in daily life are:

1. IOT Data Analytics

Businesses are increasingly analyzing big and tiny data using IoT data analytics to spot trends and patterns. Apps for IoT data analytics can examine structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data to uncover important information.

2. IoT Sensors

IoT sensors enable automated, seamless handling of data that provides useful insights. Businesses can utilize them for proactive maintenance, increased productivity, and lower expenses.

3. IoT Assets Tracking

Using GPS or radio frequency, IoT asset monitoring devices track and keep an eye on assets. The use of smart devices enables the identification and verification of assets over large distances.

4. IoT Connected factory

In order to manage industrial IoT devices, businesses can also leverage IoT connected factory solutions like Azure IoT. The cloud software that is connected can be filled with various resources that enable control of a variety of devices.

5. Smart Supply Chain Management

Applications for the Internet of Things can aid in reducing supply chain management uncertainty concerns. Smart supply chain management programs can be used by supply chain managers to minimize variance, cut costs, and increase profitability.

6. Smart Barcodes Reader

Retailers can manage their inventories more effectively with the aid of IoT barcode readers. The readers support digital signal processing that is based on AI. Retail, logistics, warehouse operations, and many other industries can all benefit from these devices’ operational optimization.

7. IoT Medical Devices

IoT medical devices can support remote real-time patient monitoring. The gadgets can alert a doctor right away to an emergency, such as an asthma attack, heart failure, etc. Many people’s lives might be saved as a result of this.

8. Smart Grid

Another industrial IoT use is the smart grid. The grid makes it possible to track data on the supply and demand for electricity in real time. It involves using artificial intelligence to manage resources more effectively.

9. IoT Smart Farming

Smart IoT farming devices can be used by farmers to optimize a variety of various tasks, including figuring out when to harvest plants, developing fertilizer profiles based on the chemistry of the soil, and detecting soil nutrients and moisture content.

10. Footbot

An effective IoT device, Foobot helps measure indoor pollution and improves the air quality in homes, workplaces, and indoor public spaces. It frequently yields reliable outcomes.

In the IoT, Cyber Security is important because a single threat or attack might cause the network to go down, or worse, grant a cybercriminal full access to the system. The IoT contains extremely sensitive information for sectors like defense or military activities. Hackers may be able to obtain information or physically harm the entire network if the IoT is accessible through a weak network point or insecure device.

While the IoT has progressively benefited industries such as business, government, and health care, it has also raised the levels in terms of risk and the possible financial and security harm that might result from a hack. The amount of options given to cybercriminals for “entrances” to the data increases as more devices are connected to a network.

Inappropriate use of this information might seriously compromise national security and defense logistics. One of the main issues with IoT cyber security is that the majority of businesses and organizations are more concerned with the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the technology than the hazards involved in a developing network. Organizations with a high level of IoT data and confidence are so exposed.

Owlet Wi-Fi Baby Heart Monitor

As more IoT gadgets enter our homes, security is growing to be a major worry. For instance, although the Owlet Baby heart monitor may appear to be completely safe, the lack of protection makes it and related devices particularly susceptible to hacking.

They were able to target other smart devices connected to the same network because to the baby monitors’ vulnerability to hacking. It turns out that your entire home can be susceptible due to one insecure gadget.

Mirai Botnet

Attackers used a botnet of Internet of Things devices to target Dyn, a DNS service provider. It was able to disable Dyn servers and take down substantial portions of the internet. Leaders of the media, including Twitter, Reddit, CNN, and Netflix, were impacted.

This attack highlights the significance of using secure passwords and performing frequent firmware updates. You should never skip these updates because they frequently include patches for recent vulnerabilities. Before connecting any IoT devices to your network, make sure to give each of them secure, complex passwords.

TRENDnet

TRENDnet advertised their SecurView cameras as being ideal for a variety of applications. Not only might they be used as home security cameras, but they could also be used as baby monitors. The fact that they were intended to be secure is the best part because that is what you want most from a security camera.

Even though a device is designed to be secure, it doesn’t guarantee it isn’t leaking your personal information. Run a penetration test or set up a VPN on your home router for the best protection against incidents like these. All of your internet communications will be encrypted, making them unreadable to hackers.