IoT Connectivity Security: Beginners Tips and tricks

Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

Let's start by explaining the common security flaws in a range of IoT connectivity options and detail the potential issues that could crop up over the lifecycle of a device. Once a device is deployed in the field, it is vulnerable to physical attacks as well as threats to its software. To achieve end-to-end security throughout the connection lifecycle, security must be a primary design consideration in IoT devices — as fundamental as any other parameter.

A good connectivity management platform can play a significant role in your security plans. Other important reasons to manage an IoT deployment using a platform include:

Seven best practice tips for IoT connectivity security

Here are a few quick recommendations for a secure IoT deployment.

Map your attack surface and derive a threat model: Find out everything you can about your potential vulnerabilities and make a plan.

Control access to trusted networks: Unauthorized devices should not be able to connect to your trusted networks.

Design and build for resiliency: If something goes wrong, you’ll be glad you took the time to ensure your infrastructure was resilient, with back ups as needed.

Ensure end-to-end security: For truly trusted data, you need to protect it from the device, through networks and into your connectivity management platform and the cloud.

Leverage artificial intelligence (AI): Proactive monitoring and alerting of potential threats would be time-consuming to manually implement, so look to AI for help.

Control access to your connectivity management platform: Create a clear policy detailing who has access and what they can do.

Ensure security and privacy compliance: Data protection and government regulations can be a minefield so make sure any vendor or partners are compliant.