The Internet of Things
The Internet of Things is recognized as a network of interrelated devices that connect and exchange data with other IoT devices. IoT devices will usually be embedded with technology such as sensors or software and can include a number of mechanical and digital items, in addition to many consumer objects.
The Internet of Things refers to any network of these physical objects, which are able to connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet.
These devices typically encompass everything from everyday household items to complex industrial tools. Organizations within a variety of industries are increasingly using the Internet of Things to operate more efficiently, to deliver better customer service, improve decision-making and increase the value of the business.
Data from any device is transferable over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interactions.
Something in the Internet of Things can be a person with a heart monitor implant, a farm animal with a biochip transponder, an automobile that has built-in sensors to alert the driver when tire pressure is low, or any other natural or man-made object that can be assigned an Internet Protocol address and is able to transfer data over a network.
It is estimated that there are currently around 7 billion connected devices today and this number of devices is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2020, and 22 billion by 2025.
IoT Cybersecurity
As the number of connected devices increases, the attack potential is similarly increased. As an increasing amount of information is shared between such devices, the potential for a hacker to steal confidential information increases.
While there are significant benefits of the Internet of Things, the shift to interconnectedness also presents an increase to the financial and security damage that a successful hack can achieve.
As increasing numbers of devices are added to networks, a greater number of opportunities for cybercriminals will become available.
For example, modern communications systems are able to house a large volume of valuable information, and this type of infrastructure has become a significant target for cyber criminals. Attacks on devices such as routers, computers or phone systems pose a significant threat to organizations and individuals.
Device management is therefore ever more challenging. Organizations will eventually have to deal with a massive number of different devices, and collecting and managing the data from all those devices could become onerous.
Corruption of connected devices is a growing security issue, and the Internet of Things has the potential to corrupt other devices connected to the internet if there’s a bug in the system.
These scenarios represent the growing risks associated with connected devices and the critical importance of implementing robust security measures to safeguard against potential threats.
The collective effort of industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and users will be crucial in managing the security challenges of the networks that support the Internet of Things.
The approach to cybersecurity will need to be proactive, innovative and collaborative, in order to ensure a secure digital environment for all.