4 Ways IoT Security Challenges are Unique

Last updated: 16 May 2016

IoT Security Attack

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the hottest topics in tech today, and how to provide security for the Internet of Things is a frequent topic of conversation. The internet is also abuzz with articles about the lack of security found in many IoT solutions — anyone who took the opportunity to walk the RSA show floor knows this — as they were inundated with solutions from security vendors of all shapes and sizes. Even the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) weighed in on the issue by releasing a report recommending that connected devices be designed with security as the priority to reduce the possibility of long-term risks.

Back in October, SafeNet took a look at particular threats in our blog series IoT Nightmares. This was our first foray into the IoT security discussion and it served to illustrate the point that the Internet of Things could pose a serious threat to our safety and security if security is not of foremost concern.  So what makes the IoT’s security challenges different?

Mobility and Data Sprawl. As technology becomes more mobile, so does our data. The scope of the Internet of Things, and it’s dependency on mobile technology exacerbates this issue by moving even more data and control beyond the traditional perimeters of our houses and businesses.

Cloud Hits It’s Stride. We have heard about the rise of cloud computing for years and the Internet of Things, which will require a cloud foundation to accommodate the large volume of devices, connections, and data, just might be the technology movement that makes the cloud ubiquitous. Not only will we need to protect IoT endpoints themselves, but we’ll also need to know information is encrypted and securely governed in the cloud to truly feel confident sensitive data is secure in the Internet of Things era.

Data Grows into Big Data. Speaking of data volumes, the tremendous volume of data that will be pouring in from devices presents a huge challenge for IoT solution providers.  Big Data solutions will be instrumental in overcoming this challenge by giving us the capacity to analyze data, and discover relevant trends and patterns.

New Communication Technologies. The nature of IoT will necessitate the development and adoption of a myriad of new communications technologies that are able to provide greater security and more efficient communication, and do so using devices with limited power.

Want to learn more? Check out our IoT Guidebook, “Building a Trusted Foundation for the Internet of Things.

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