Securing IoT Apps my lowes cc, helzberg cc
The internet of things ( IoT ) has changed the way businesses and industries operate, as well as the way people facilitate daily tasks. Today’s smart devices allow users to handle tasks and errands more conveniently. The apps that connect users, smart devices, and the internet have altered the way users integrate different systems and functions for work, play, education, and personal necessities with a touch or command.
The abrupt shift to work-from-home arrangements has made users more dependent on the convenience that IoT technology brings, prompting a surge in IoT app development, deployment, and usage for “contactless” purposes. As people work from their homes, business equipment such as laptops and smartphones are connected within the same space and network as their IoT devices. Home networks and devices are unlikely to have the same layered security compared to offices, and these added entry points could compromise users’ and organizations’ security and expose their data to threats. Cybercriminals on the constant lookout for threat vectors to abuse are finding new openings, such as device and app vulnerabilities , storage misconfigurations , traffic exchange , and programming weaknesses , among other gaps .
[Read: Uncovering risks in ordinary places: A look at the IoT threat landscape ]
All IoT devices have actuators that serve as sensors, enabling them to transmit and receive data, translating it to observable actions following users’ prompts, data, and programming. These devices also have operating system (OS)-based firmware with corresponding OS-based installation procedures of apps, and Wi-Fi enablement for data network transmission to the internet via the internet router. A final component involves an interface that allows the user to interact with the device in a way that the manufacturer or developer determined to be the most efficient. While this has been in the form of an app in recent years, previous instances also included notifications via emails or text messages.
These components have allowed users to control their respective devices remotely. Unfortunately, they have also been repeatedly identified as vulnerable to attacks and malware as each represents a path that can be used for cybercriminal intent.
While the components pose varying degrees of difficulty for cybercriminal abuse or exploitation, an intrusion into the system can cause significant damage through any of the identified paths. Here are some of the attack vectors and risks to IoT applications:
These threat entry points affect all phases and parties involved, from the device manufacturers and their respective supply chain partners to the app developers and users. Aside from the technical reparations needed, threats could affect an organization’s reputation and finances significantly.
[Read: Into the battlefield: A security guide to IoT botnets ]
Contrary to an old belief, individuals with IT backgrounds are no longer the only ones responsible for securing devices and connections. Every user is expected to manage their own devices and data, especially once connected and in use. But with the increased adoption of devices to accommodate our daily needs at home, work, and in transit, keeping these device and app threats at bay makes security a collective responsibility. Here are some measures that organizations and users can do to mitigate these risks:
The surge of IoT devices in the market, coupled with the increase in users and their demand for more connectivity and accessibility features, makes it difficult for standards to keep up. Personal and professional networks, appliances, and devices are now more intertwined and connected than ever, along with the amount of sensitive information being exchanged through the apps used to control and manage these devices. Everyone using a connected device becomes an “administrator of things,” emphasizing the collective responsibility for security. Organizations and consumers must take a closer look and ask more questions to learn how these devices and applications work for them, with inquiries focused on the functions and services beyond their primary use: where their data goes, how it’s used and protected, and where it’s stored.
Furthermore, apps and devices may be vulnerable from the time they are made available in the market, not because of negligence but for the lack of requirements and time for testing, encryption, and certification. Because of the fast pace of development, there are no standards by which programmers, manufacturers, or users can compare for verification . Though more countries have a long way to go, some are changing this by slowly integrating laws and frameworks to establish an improved cybersecurity response and resilience for IoT devices and other digital products. Regulation is still trying to catch up with IoT’s rate of advancement. In the meantime, organizations and users should maintain a “security first” and security-by-design mindset, from conceptualization, marketing, and adoption of devices and products to their respective offices and homes.
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In the first half of this year, cybersecurity strongholds were surrounded by cybercriminals waiting to pounce at the sight of even the slightest crack in defenses to ravage valuable assets. View the report
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