The Internet of Things (IoT) is upon us. Everyday objects are now tied to the Internet with increasing regularity – even our refrigerators are now “smart” and connected, letting us know when we’re low on mayo. Despite all the luxuries inherent in the IoT, there comes with it a sense of danger, as we’re now more vulnerable than ever to attacks. This makes it increasingly important to focus on cybersecurity at your company.
Wherever data is shared, cybersecurity needs to be a priority. Frameworks, applications, devices, and any unique object – they all require a buffer of added security. By the end of last year, there were almost 170 million devices in use with signal following and/or motion, such as wearable devices and smartphones. That number is predicted to more than double by 2020 due to GPS-enabled devices that are gaining popularity.
One cybersecurity challenge is that there are few programming solutions that involve embedded security, which means among all the technologies that are evolving today, IoT represents perhaps the greatest threat. An estimated 75 percent of all IoT devices are not protected, which means they are vulnerable to attack.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Breaches?
To counter cybersecurity inadequacies, encryption should get a long, hard look. This is the process where plaintext is converted into ciphertext, which is an indiscernible pattern. Nodes need to be secured at the network layer, and an encryption mechanism can provide this.
If you want to prevent things such as eavesdropping and fabrication, you can use tools like secure key management and secure key exchanges for an added layer of security.
By simply following tried and trusted best security practices, you can significantly reduce your level of vulnerability. The beginning of an IoT configuration is the best time to develop a strong strategy that will utilize all the tools you need to protect your data.
PKI, or public key infrastructure, is also something that can assist with security. Utilizing PKI reinforces data integrity, which allows your data to be locked down, yet still accessible when needed by trusted users. This also provides protection because it monitors – and actually limits – access where threats are most common. This requires a secure certification system if it’s going to be used effectively.
At Copper State Communications, we’ve developed a full suite of technology services that take cybersecurity seriously. Business internet and voice solutions are our specialties, and we know that security is important. Contact us today to discuss your approach to cybersecurity best practices.
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