IoT security refers to the practices, measures, and technologies implemented to protect Internet of Things (IoT) devices and networks from unauthorized access, data breaches, and malicious attacks. The IoT encompasses a vast network of interconnected devices, sensors, and systems that communicate with each other and the internet, collecting and sharing data. This interconnectedness creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals if proper security measures are not in place. IoT security is the combination of technologies and processes that businesses use to protect their connected devices from cyberattacks.
IoT security focuses on safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and ensuring the privacy and trustworthiness of IoT devices and networks. It involves a combination of hardware, software, and network security measures to mitigate risks and vulnerabilities associated with IoT deployments.
Statistics about IoT Security Threats
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, I can provide you with some statistics about IoT security threats up until that time. However, please note that the landscape of IoT security threats is constantly evolving, and it’s always important to consult the latest reports and studies for the most up-to-date information. Here are a few statistics:
- Rapid Growth of IoT Attacks: According to a report by F-Secure, IoT-related attacks increased by 300% in 2019 compared to the previous year.
- Botnet Threats: Botnets, such as Mirai and Reaper, have been responsible for large-scale IoT attacks. Mirai alone infected hundreds of thousands of IoT devices, leading to several high-profile distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
- Insecure IoT Devices: A study conducted by HP found that 70% of commonly used IoT devices had serious vulnerabilities, including weak passwords, lack of encryption, and outdated software.
- Default Credentials: Default or weak credentials are a significant security concern in IoT. According to Symantec, more than 50% of IoT attacks in 2019 involved the use of default or easily guessable usernames and passwords.
- IoT Device Compromise: The Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act (IoT Act) report revealed that out of 9,000 vulnerabilities reported to the US Department of Homeland Security in 2020, nearly 1,000 were related to IoT devices.
- DDoS Attacks: The 2016 Dyn cyberattack, which caused widespread internet outages, was carried out using a botnet of compromised IoT devices, highlighting the potential impact of IoT-based DDoS attacks.
- Privacy Breaches: According to a study by Ponemon Institute, 80% of organizations reported experiencing at least one IoT-related data breach in the previous two years.
- Healthcare Sector Vulnerabilities: The healthcare industry is particularly vulnerable to IoT security threats. A report by Unit 42 found that 30% of healthcare IoT devices are vulnerable to medium or high-severity attacks.
- Industrial IoT (IIoT) Risks: The convergence of operational technology (OT) and IT in industrial settings introduces unique security challenges. A study by Kaspersky reported that 40% of industrial organizations experienced at least one IIoT-related attack in 2019.
- Financial Impact: The potential financial impact of IoT security breaches is significant. Juniper Research estimated that the cost of data breaches stemming from IoT devices would exceed $3 trillion by 2023.
These statistics highlight the increasing frequency and severity of IoT security threats and the importance of implementing robust security measures to protect IoT devices and networks. It’s crucial to stay updated with the latest research and reports to understand the evolving threat landscape and adopt appropriate security practices.
Examples of IoT Cyber Security Breaches
1. Stuxnet
Stuxnet is a sophisticated computer worm designed to detect specific nuclear machinery. Stuxnet is a computer worm that destroys real-world devices rather than hacking them to cause software damage. In order to infect the Windows PCs in the Natanz facility, Stuxnet exploited no fewer than four zero-day bugs a Windows Shortcut flaw, a bug in the print spooler, and two escalations of privilege vulnerabilities along with a zero-day flaw in the Siemens PLCs and an old hole already used in the Conficker attack. The sheer number of vulnerabilities exploited is unusual, as typically zero-days are quickly patched in the wake of an attack and so a hacker won’t want to reveal so many in a single attack.
2. Mirai
Mirai searches the Internet for IoT devices that use the ARC processor. This CPU runs a simplified version of the Linux operating system. Mirai can infect a device if the default username and password are not changed.
IoT, or the Internet of Things, is a fancy word for smart gadgets that can connect to the Internet. These gadgets can be baby monitors, automobiles, network routers, agricultural devices, medical devices, environmental monitoring devices, home appliances, DVRs, CC cameras, headsets, or smoke detectors.
To bring Dyn down, the Mirai botnet hacked 100,000 IoT devices.
3. Breach of Casino Data
In April 2021, Tasmanian casino operator Federal Group discovered themselves in the thick of a cyberattack as their pokies machines (also known as slot machines) and hotel booking systems began to malfunction. At the time of the hack, the casino group was unsure whether credit card information saved in the hotel booking system had also been compromised, and they have yet to share that information publicly.
Terry Aulich, international privacy and security specialist remarked that he was “very disappointed” with the company’s cyber defenses and cautioned other Tasmanian firms to learn from Federal Group’s shortcomings. In the eight months preceding the hack, guests at Federal Group’s two casinos spent up to $53.7 million on slot machines.
4. Jeep Exploitation
Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, two security researchers, performed something incredible.
They hacked a Jeep while it was driving along a major highway at 70 mph, tampering with its entertainment system, engine, and brakes.
And they didn’t do it in the rear seat; they did it from the comfort of a sofa in Miller’s basement 10 miles away.
5. Implantable Medical Device
Let’s face it: the more vulnerable a medical gadget is, the more likely it is to be hacked. Medtronic made waves in March 2019 when it revealed a security issue in certain of its implantable devices.
Following the identification of a “major cyber security hole” by the Department of Homeland Security, one of its cardiac devices received a vulnerability rating of 9.3 (out of 10) points.
Medtronic’s cardiac devices communicate wirelessly. The weaknesses in the system may allow unauthorized individuals to gain access. This means that unauthorized users could alter the device’s settings or at-home monitoring systems.
Due to the possibility of assaults, the FDA recalled 465,000 implantable pacemakers manufactured by St. Jude Medical a few years ago. Patients who had the implants did not have them removed; instead, Abbott (the parent company of St. Jude Medical) delivered a software upgrade in August 2017. The update adds improved patient security. Attacks could result in hackers draining the device’s battery life or altering a patient’s heartbeat. Both of these attacks have the potential to be lethal.
Although no such attack has been documented, the threat is genuine.
IoT Security Risks?
IoT security risks refer to the vulnerabilities and potential threats that can compromise the security and integrity of IoT devices and networks. These risks arise due to various factors, including the large-scale deployment of IoT devices, the complexity of interconnected systems, and the evolving nature of cyber threats. Internet-enabled devices pose a number of security challenges. But while the Internet of Things has brought connectivity to new devices, the general cybersecurity issues aren’t really new. We’ve been dealing with hackers for as long as we’ve enjoyed the benefits of the Internet.
Here are some common IoT security risks
-
Weak Authentication and Authorization
IoT devices may have weak or default credentials, making them susceptible to unauthorized access. A lack of proper authentication and authorization mechanisms can allow attackers to gain control of devices or exploit their functionality.
-
Inadequate Encryption
Insufficient or weak encryption of data transmitted between IoT devices and networks can expose sensitive information to eavesdropping and interception by attackers.
-
Vulnerable Firmware and Software
Many IoT devices run on outdated firmware or software that may contain known vulnerabilities. If not promptly updated or patched, these devices become easy targets for exploitation.
-
Lack of Security Updates
IoT devices often lack mechanisms for receiving and applying security updates. This leaves them vulnerable to emerging threats and exploits that have been patched in updated versions.
-
Insecure Network Communications
Insecure communication protocols and a lack of encryption can enable attackers to intercept and manipulate data transmitted between IoT devices and backend systems.
-
Physical Tampering
IoT devices deployed in uncontrolled environments may be physically accessible to attackers. Physical tampering can lead to device compromise, unauthorized access, or the injection of malicious code.
-
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks
IoT devices can be targeted in DoS attacks, where a massive volume of requests is sent to overwhelm the devices or the network infrastructure they rely on, causing disruption or unavailability of services.
-
Data Privacy and Unauthorized Access
Inadequate protection of personal or sensitive data collected by IoT devices can lead to privacy breaches and unauthorized access, potentially resulting in identity theft or misuse of personal information.
-
Interoperability and Compatibility Issues
Incompatible or poorly implemented standards and protocols in IoT ecosystems can create security gaps that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access or disrupt operations.
-
Supply Chain Risks
Compromised or tampered components in the IoT device supply chain can introduce backdoors or vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to compromise the device’s security.
-
Botnets and Malware
IoT devices with weak security can be infected with malware or recruited into botnets, turning them into tools for launching large-scale cyber attacks.
-
Low Processing Power
Most IoT applications use very little data. This reduces costs and extends battery life, but it can make them difficult to update Over-the-Air (OTA), and prevents the device from using cybersecurity features like firewalls, virus scanners, and end-to-end encryption. This ultimately leaves them more vulnerable to hacking.
-
Legacy Assets
If an application wasn’t originally designed for cloud connectivity, it’s probably ill-equipped to combat modern cyber attacks. For example, these older assets may not be compatible with newer encryption standards. It’s risky to make outdated applications Internet-enabled without making significant changes—but that’s not always possible with legacy assets. They’ve been cobbled together over years (possibly even decades), which turns even small security improvements into a monumental undertaking.
-
Shared Network Access
It’s easier for IoT devices to use the same network as the end user’s other devices—such as their WiFi or LAN—but it also makes the entire network more vulnerable. Someone can hack an IoT device to get their foot in the door and gain access to more sensitive data stored on the network or other connected devices. Likewise, another device on the network could be used to hack the IoT device. In either of those scenarios, customers and manufacturers wind up pointing fingers at each other.
-
Shared Network Access
It’s easier for IoT devices to use the same network as the end user’s other devices—such as their WiFi or LAN—but it also makes the entire network more vulnerable. Someone can hack an IoT device to get their foot in the door and gain access to more sensitive data stored on the network or other connected devices. Likewise, another device on the network could be used to hack the IoT device. In either of those scenarios, customers and manufacturers wind up pointing fingers at each other.
-
Inconsistent Security Standards
Within IoT, there’s a bit of a free-for-all when it comes to security standards. There’s no universal, industry-wide standard, which means companies and niches all have to develop their own protocols and guidelines. The lack of standardization makes it harder to secure IoT devices, and it also makes it harder to enable machine-to-machine (M2M) communication without increasing risk.
-
Lack of Encryption
One of the greatest threats to IoT security is the lack of encryption on regular transmissions. Many IoT devices don’t encrypt the data they send, which means if someone penetrates the network, they can intercept credentials and other important information transmitted to and from the device.
-
Missing Firmware Updates
Another of the biggest IoT security risks is if devices go out in the field with a bug that creates vulnerabilities. Whether they come from your own developed code or a third party, manufacturers need the ability to issue firmware updates to eliminate these security risks. Ideally, this should happen remotely, but that’s not always feasible. If a network’s data transfer rates are too low or it has limited messaging capabilities, you may have to physically access the device to issue the update.
To mitigate these risks, robust IoT security practices, including strong authentication, encryption, regular updates, and monitoring, should be implemented. Additionally, adherence to industry best practices and standards, as well as collaboration among stakeholders, can help enhance the overall security posture of IoT deployments.
How to Protect IoT Systems & Devices / Solutions
Protecting IoT systems and devices requires a multi-layered approach that addresses both the hardware and software aspects of security. Here are some key measures to consider:
-
Secure Device Provisioning
Ensure that IoT devices are securely provisioned during manufacturing to prevent the inclusion of default or weak credentials. Implement secure boot mechanisms and device identity provisioning.
-
Strong Authentication and Access Control
Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication (2FA) or biometric authentication to ensure that only authorized individuals can access IoT devices and networks. Use robust access control policies to limit privileges and permissions.
-
Regular Firmware and Software Updates
Keep IoT devices and software up to date with the latest security patches and firmware updates. Implement a robust update and patch management process to address known vulnerabilities.
-
Secure Communication
Encrypt communication between IoT devices and backend systems using secure protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Internet Protocol Security (IPsec). Implement secure authentication and authorization mechanisms for communication channels.
-
Network Segmentation
Segregate IoT devices into separate network segments or VLANs to limit the potential impact of a compromised device and control access between devices and critical systems.
-
Data Encryption and Privacy
Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Follow privacy best practices and comply with applicable regulations to protect user data and privacy.
-
Intrusion Detection and Monitoring
Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) or intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to detect and respond to suspicious activities. Implement robust monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalies and potential security breaches.
-
Physical Security
Implement physical security measures to protect IoT devices from tampering or unauthorized access. This includes securing physical access to devices, locking down device ports, and using tamper-evident packaging.
-
Vendor Assessment and Supply Chain Security
Conduct thorough security assessments of IoT device vendors and supply chain partners to ensure they follow secure development practices and adhere to security standards.
-
User Awareness and Training
Educate users and administrators about IoT security best practices, including strong password management, recognizing phishing attempts, and reporting suspicious activities.
-
Threat Intelligence and Incident Response
Stay updated on the latest IoT security threats and vulnerabilities. Establish an incident response plan to address security incidents promptly and efficiently.
-
Secure Development Lifecycle
Follow secure development practices during the design and development of IoT systems. Conduct security testing, code reviews, and vulnerability assessments to identify and address security flaws early in the development lifecycle.
Implementing these security measures in a comprehensive and layered manner will help enhance the security and resilience of IoT systems and devices. It’s important to continually evaluate and reassess security practices as new threats emerge and technology evolves.
Which Industries are Most Vulnerable to IoT Security Threats?
IoT security hacks can happen in anywhere and in any industry, from a smart home to a manufacturing plant to a connected car. The severity of impact depends greatly on the individual system, the data collected and/or the information it contains.
For example, an attack disabling the brakes of a connected car or the hack of a connected health device such as an insulin pump to administer too much medication to a patient can be life-threatening. Likewise, an attack on a refrigeration system housing medicine that is monitored by an IoT system can ruin the viability of medicine if temperatures fluctuate. Similarly, an attack on critical infrastructure — an oil well, energy grid or water supply — can be disastrous.
Other attacks, however, cannot be underestimated. For example, an attack against smart door locks could potentially allow a burglar to enter a home. Or, in other security breaches, an attacker could pass malware through a connected system to scrape personally identifiable information, wreaking havoc for those affected.
Conclusion
There is a lot of scope in IoT today and it is safe to say that the market will increase as per the projections, so now is the time to dive deep into the subject and understand its what’s and how’s. Also, with the discussion on IoT security challenges and solutions, we can conclude that securing applications is of paramount importance.
Protecting networks at home and in the office involves some of the simplest preventive measures, such as purchasing devices from legitimate vendors and retailers who highlight security as one of the foremost features of their products. Changing the default credentials of devices, from router passwords to each connected device’s distinct access codes, can also be one of the first layers of defence. Closing or disabling unnecessary device components can prevent a number of inbound infections and outbound attacks. Moreover, installing a multilayered security solution can deter even the most sophisticated malware routines.
Work-provided devices are usually not equipped with high-gain antennas and are generally intended for use within company premises; therefore, long-range network signals are not needed. Enterprises and IT teams can limit wifi signal strength in order to keep away unauthorized users outside the immediate office premises from accessing it. Most of all, raising the awareness of employees on having a security-first mindset not only benefits the business but also in their respective homes.
While it is highly imperative for customers to employ security protocols in using their devices, these measures are only as good as the products purchased. Thus, choose products from manufacturers and vendors that give prime importance to user data and network security features during product conceptualization, and ensure that these offerings address or — at the very least — are ready to combat existing threats before releasing them to the market. In and out of the office, instilling a mindset of security-by-design is necessary to keep abreast with the increasing dangers brought about by the rapidly growing demand for IoT today.