1. Strengthening authentication
Cybercriminals primarily target IoT devices with publicly accessible IP addresses and unchanged default passwords. To enhance your network security, use strong passwords for each of your IoT devices.
To assist you, there are solutions that can automatically generate complex passwords. Ensure also that your password storage solutions are encrypted and secure. To further increase security, it is highly recommended to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).
2. Isolating IoT devices
- Isolating IoT Devices
Temperature sensors, surveillance cameras… To reduce the attack surface, your connected devices need to be isolated. Network segmentation entails dividing your network into smaller subnetworks. Each segment has its own security protocols.
By establishing “boundaries”, network segmentation aims to:
- Prevent attackers from accessing all devices: if they manage to infiltrate, they are confined to a subnet and cannot move laterally to other critical systems.
- Isolate IoT devices from sensitive data.
- Facilitate the containment of minor incidents.
- Improve monitoring: identifying – and isolating if necessary – devices and users accessing the network becomes easier.
3. Eliminating Unnecessary Connections
A connected device that is not monitored or updated can be attacked and infected by malware, for example. If a device is not in use, disable its Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to reduce the number of entry points.
4. Updating IoT device software
IoT devices rely on software to operate: these must be updated to fix known vulnerabilities and prevent attackers from exploiting them. Ensure that patches come from reliable sources to prevent the intrusion of malicious code. To make sure the latest versions are installed, enable automatic updates and configure security settings appropriately.
5. Conducting security audits
In cybersecurity, penetration testing is an effective practice. It involves simulating real cyberattack scenarios on a company’s IT network to assess its security level and identify unpatched vulnerabilities. The tools used are the same as those employed by cybercriminals.
6. Training teams on best practices
From end users to security teams: everyone has a role to play in maintaining security. The goal is for each person to ensure the protection of IoT devices and understand the associated risks. This involves campaigns to raise awareness about best practices and recent threats.
Cybersecurity training also facilitates the implementation of security policies when using equipment and reduces the risks of phishing attacks.
7. Encrypting data
In many companies, data transmitted through IoT devices is not encrypted. The risk? Hackers could intercept the traffic and manipulate the data in transit. To protect the data, it is crucial to have end-to-end encryption and use encryption algorithms such as AES or Triple DES. This significantly reduces the risks of data leaks and espionage by hackers.
Also, ensure that data storage is secure. This should include up-to-date antivirus solutions and real-time monitoring tools.
8. Monitoring IoT device activities
Using reliable tools, monitor the daily activities within the IoT network: user activity, network traffic, interactions between devices, etc. Network monitoring allows for the rapid detection of unusual behavior.
9. Automating monitoring
With updates being regular and significant, a Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) software can greatly simplify the task. Its benefit: track all necessary updates, schedule patches, and automatically deploy them to the relevant IoT devices. By avoiding the need to do this manually, automating security tasks improves the speed of vulnerability mitigation.
10. Choosing a reliable and centralized IoT platform
A centralized interface simplifies monitoring and provides a comprehensive view of all IoT devices in one place. The IoT platform should include security features that detect anomalies indicating a security breach in connected devices. This allows you to respond quickly to minimize potential damage.
Good to know
To enable our customers to manage their connected objects independently, we offer our IoT GetWay platform. Beyond providing a comprehensive view of their device fleet, they have access to all their activities and a complete history. In case of abnormal usage of your SIM cards, it is possible to activate alarms to receive real-time alerts. For more information, contact us!
11. Deploying a private 5G network
Given the significant security challenges, many companies are considering the need to deploy a private 5G network. Advantages include data isolation, targeted coverage, ultra-reliable communication, and network customization according to specific needs. One of the major benefits of a private cellular network is enhanced security protocols.
Being entirely independent of the public network, a private 5G network ensures that data and infrastructure are managed securely. This is crucial for maintaining security standards in critical sectors such as oil operations, manufacturing industries, and nuclear power plants.