Challenges and Strategies for Protecting Connected Devices and Networks: Internet of Things

By: Aiyaan Hasan, International Center for AI and Cyber Security Research and Innovations (CCRI), Asia University, Taiwan, rayhasan114@gmail.com

Abstract:

The Internet of things (IoT) has impacted our daily lives in numerous ways, the way we work and live. As it continues to expand, it raises countless security concerns, this article looks into the challenges and concerns that come along with IoT expansion and provides minor and major fixes for any flaws or threats. If we are able to implement the right sets of approach in order to protect the IoT landscape, it shall encourage us in the coming future for more safer and secure development of technologies that are oriented to this technology.

Introduction:

The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow effectively, which offers our lives more efficiency and convenience.[1] IoT has widespread impacts that ranges from sensors that optimize production processes to smart thermostats that control the temperature in our homes.[2] Nevertheless, there is a cost to this convenience: security flaws. This article explores the security issues surrounding the Internet of Things and offers solutions to safeguard connected devices and networks.

There is a need for measures which require strong security components in the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expands, which spans over an ever-growing variety of devices, each having its own requirements and purposes.[3]

IoT security has increased a lot in recent years and should serve as a wake-up call to consumers, manufacturers, and governments alike. We can embrace the IoT revolution by putting strong security measures in place, encouraging teamwork, and following best practices.

The Internet of Things Security Environment:

security environment of the Internet of Things is complex and diverse, with a number of difficulties:

  1. Variety of Devices: It includes a variety of devices with different operating systems and communication protocols. It is challenging to guarantee uniform security protocols across all devices due to this variability.
  2. Restricted Resources: Many Internet of Things (IoT) devices have limited resources, such as insufficient memory and processing power to implement strong security features. They are appealing targets for cyberattacks because of this weakness.
  3. Data privacy: A lot of data, including sensitive and personal information, is collected and transmitted by Internet of Things devices.[4] It is crucial to protect sensitive data from misuse and unauthorized access, especially in applications related to smart homes and healthcare.
  4. Physical Vulnerabilities: Since some IoT devices are installed in easily accessible areas, they are vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and manipulation. In these kinds of settings, gadget protection is essential.
  5. Lack of Standardization: Because there is a lack of standardization in IoT security, different manufacturers and devices have different security procedures and protocols. This inconsistency makes implementing security difficult.
Figure 1: IoT SECURITY LANDSCAPE

Techniques to Ensure IoT Security

Several tactics and best practices can be used to solve these issues and improve IoT security:

  1. Device Authentication: To guarantee that only authorized devices are able to connect to the network, firmly establish device authentication procedures. To safeguard device identity, use secure boot procedures and encryption.
  2. Firmware and Software Updates: Update the firmware and software on IoT devices on a regular basis to address known vulnerabilities.
  3. Network Segmentation: To lessen the possible consequences of a security compromise, divide the network into segments. To lower exposure, isolate vital systems from less important ones.
  4. Data Security: Robust encryption algorithms shield data against theft and eavesdropping.
  5. Access Control: Implement access controls to restrict who can access and interact with IoT devices. Employ role-based access control to manage permissions effectively.[5]

Conclusion:

IoT’s rapid expansion presents enormous opportunity but also requires a strict safety precaution. We need to solve the particular issues that the Internet of Things brings in order to fully reap its benefits without compromising our security. We can strengthen the Internet of Things ecosystem by enforcing device authentication, maintaining firmware updates, using network segmentation, encrypting data, controlling access, keeping an eye out for incursions, and following by security guidelines. It is critical to understand that IoT security is a continuous endeavour, and that building a safer and more secure IoT environment requires cooperation between manufacturers, customers, and legislators. We can confidently welcome the IoT revolution with these methods in place, knowing that our networks and linked devices are secure.

References:

  1. Madakam, S., Lake, V., Lake, V., & Lake, V. (2015). Internet of Things (IoT): A literature review. Journal of Computer and Communications, 3(05), 164. supply chain security through the use of blockchain and TinyML. Information, 13(5), 213.
  2. Gokhale, P., Bhat, O., & Bhat, S. (2018). Introduction to IOT. International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology, 5(1), 41-44.
  3. Chen, S., Xu, H., Liu, D., Hu, B., & Wang, H. (2014). A vision of IoT: Applications, challenges, and opportunities with china perspective. IEEE Internet of Things journal, 1(4), 349-359.
  4. Martin, K. D., & Murphy, P. E. (2017). The role of data privacy in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 45, 135-155.
  5. Sandhu, R. S., & Samarati, P. (1994). Access control: principle and practice. IEEE communications magazine, 32(9), 40-48.
  6. Almomani, A., Alauthman, M., Shatnawi, M. T., Alweshah, M., Alrosan, A., Alomoush, W., & Gupta, B. B. (2022). Phishing website detection with semantic features based on machine learning classifiers: a comparative study. International Journal on Semantic Web and Information Systems (IJSWIS)18(1), 1-24.
  7. Lu, J., Shen, J., Vijayakumar, P., & Gupta, B. B. (2021). Blockchain-based secure data storage protocol for sensors in the industrial internet of things. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics18(8), 5422-5431.
  8. Singh, A., & Gupta, B. B. (2022). Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and defense mechanisms in various web-enabled computing platforms: issues, challenges, and future research directions. International Journal on Semantic Web and Information Systems (IJSWIS)18(1), 1-43.

Cite As

Hasan A. (2023) Challenges and Strategies for Protecting Connected Devices and Networks: Internet of Things, Insights2Techinfo, pp.1

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