Be sure to attend IoT Security Foundation Conference 2024 this October as Darron Antill from Device Authority gives his presentation ” Securing the Future: Harnessing the Power of Ecosystems in IoT Security”
We all know how IoT has revolutionised the way businesses operate. By enabling interconnected devices to collect, share, and act on data, IoT has delivered vast improvements in efficiency, innovation, and customer experiences. However, with this transformative potential comes an equally substantial challenge: security. As IoT systems become more embedded within enterprise organisations, the need for robust IoT security has never been more pressing.
The Early Days of IoT Security: A Slow Start
In the early stages of IoT adoption, security often took a backseat to innovation. Businesses were eager to capitalise on the efficiency gains and new capabilities that connected devices brought, often overlooking the vulnerabilities that came with them. Devices were frequently deployed without strong security measures in place—default passwords, lack of encryption, and weak authentication protocols made IoT devices easy targets for cybercriminals.
High-profile incidents such as the Mirai botnet attack of 2016, which leveraged unsecured IoT devices to launch a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, disrupting internet access across large parts of the world, served as a wake-up call. They highlighted the glaring gaps in IoT security and the potential consequences for businesses and consumers alike.
The Present: OT & IoT Convergence and Identity-Based Security
Today, IoT security is no longer an afterthought but a critical consideration for enterprises. With businesses relying on IoT devices for everything from logistics to customer engagement, the risks posed by cyber threats have grown exponentially. Moreover, IoT is not evolving in isolation—it is increasingly converging with Operational Technology (OT), which governs industrial systems, manufacturing equipment, and critical infrastructure.
This OT-IoT convergence presents both opportunities and challenges. While the integration of physical and digital systems brings enhanced operational efficiency and innovation, it also expands the attack surface, exposing previously isolated OT environments to cyber threats via IoT devices. This makes security a pressing priority, as cyberattacks targeting IoT-connected OT systems can have devastating consequences, including shutting down critical industrial operations or compromising sensitive infrastructure.
A key development in addressing this new reality is the shift toward identity-centric security frameworks. Identities—whether for devices, applications, or users—are now the foundation of all security models and, according to CyberArk, non-human identities now outnumber humans 45:1 and 68% of them have access to sensitive data. Ensuring that each connected device has a verifiable, secure identity is crucial to preventing unauthorised access to networks and systems. Implementing strong authentication and authorization protocols helps protect against unauthorised device access and reduces the risk of lateral movement within networks.
Enterprise organisations are extending their Privileged Access Management protocols to their IoT environments as well as adopting solutions like Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to securely manage the identities of IoT devices. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero-trust architecture further bolster protection by verifying the identity of every device and entity at every access point.
The Future: An Expanding Security Landscape
Looking ahead, the importance of IoT security for enterprises will only increase. As IoT devices become more advanced, integrated, and autonomous, so too will the threats they face. With the advent of 5G, for example, the speed and scale of IoT connectivity will explode, amplifying both the benefits and the risks of these technologies.
Organisations will need to adopt more sophisticated security measures to keep pace with these developments. AI and machine learning (ML) will play a crucial role, enabling real-time threat detection and response across vast networks of IoT devices. Security solutions will become more adaptive, continuously learning and evolving to counter emerging threats.
Furthermore, as OT and IoT continue to converge, securing critical infrastructure—such as manufacturing plants, energy grids, and transportation systems—will become paramount. The future of IoT security lies not only in protecting data and devices but also in safeguarding entire operational ecosystems.
Conclusion: Why IoT Security Matters
For modern, connected businesses, IoT security is not just an IT concern—it’s a business imperative. As IoT and OT converge, the risks posed by insecure systems can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. At the heart of this security landscape is the need for identity-based security, ensuring that every device, system, and user is authenticated and trusted. The future of IoT is bright, but only if enterprises take proactive steps to secure their networks and infrastructure.