IoT ( Internet of Things ) security is a set of practices, technologies, and procedures designed to protect Internet-connected devices, such as sensors, smart home devices, monitoring systems, and industrial IoT systems. IoT protection includes communication security, access authorisation, software integrity control, and data encryption. Due to the variety of devices and their specific technology, IoT security must be tailored to address specific threats, such as DDoS attacks, device takeover, data forgery, and malware infections.
IoT Security
Type of technology
Description of the technology
Basic elements
- Access control: Authentication and authorisation of IoT devices to restrict access.
- Secure communication protocols: Encrypting communication channels and protecting them from interception.
- Device identity management: Mechanisms to ensure the integrity and identification of devices on the network.
- Software update: Regular security updates to address known vulnerabilities.
- Monitoring and detection: Real-time detection of anomalies in the operation of IoT devices.
Industry usage
- Smart homes: Securing lighting, heating, and monitoring management systems.
- Industry 4.0: Protecting industrial IoT systems in production lines and automation.
- Transportation: Securing vehicle monitoring and fleet management systems.
- Agriculture: Protecting IoT sensors used in precision agriculture.
- Health care: Securing medical devices that monitor patients remotely.
Importance for the economy
IoT security is key to protecting smart city networks, monitoring systems, industrial control systems, and home appliances. Due to the growing number of connected devices, each device is becoming a potential entry point for cybercriminals. IoT security helps ensure the security of data and operations and the integrity of the functioning of entire IoT ecosystems.
Related technologies
Mechanism of action
- IoT security works at the communication level and at the device level, protecting devices from unauthorised access and modification. This includes encryption of communication between devices, network access control, segmentation, and device authorisation. Activity and behaviour monitoring enables the detection of unusual activity that may indicate a security breach, while identity management systems ensure that only verified devices can communicate on the network.
Advantages
- Device protection: Securing devices against unauthorised access and attacks.
- Maintaining integrity: Data security against falsification and manipulation.
- Enhanced operational security: Minimisation of the risk of downtime and failure.
- Improved visibility: Monitoring the performance of devices and analysing their communications.
- Regulatory compliance: Meeting legal requirements for data and device protection.
Disadvantages
- Management complexity: Difficulties in managing a large number of devices with different specifications.
- Lack of standards: Heterogeneous security standards for different types of IoT devices.
- Risk of DDoS attacks: Possibility of using IoT for massive attacks on networks.
- Low resistance to attacks: Many IoT devices are not designed with security in mind.
- No updates: IoT devices often do not receive regular security updates.
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- Access control systems: Identity management and authorisation tools for IoT devices.
- Encryption of communications: TLS protocol and other encryption methods for low-power devices.
- IoT management software: Platforms for centralised device management and monitoring.
- Monitoring systems: Solutions for anomaly detection and network traffic analysis.
- Security updates: Automatic software update systems on IoT devices.
Required competences
- IoT security management: Designing and implementing security features typical of IoT devices.
- Threat analysis: Ability to identify and assess threats typical of IoT networks.
- Data encryption: Knowledge of techniques for encryption and securing device communications.
- Embedded programming: Ability to program security features at a device level.
- Identity management: Configuring and monitoring device authorisation in IoT networks.
Environmental aspects
- Energy consumption: High energy demand for advanced security protocols.
- Recycling: Problems with recovering materials from small IoT devices.
- Waste generated: Shorter device life cycle leading to faster generation of e-waste.
- Raw material consumption: High demand for semiconductors and scarce materials in production.
- Emissions of pollutants: Emissions from the production and operation of a large number of devices.
Legal conditions
- Data protection regulations: Regulations for data storage and data processing by IoT devices (e.g. GDPR).
- IoT security standards: Standards for protecting IoT devices and communications, such as IEC 62443.
- Telecommunications compliance: Regulations for Wireless communication security.
- IT security: Regulations for IoT device management in the context of IT infrastructure security.
- Identity management: Regulations for authentication and authorisation in IoT networks.