IoT Security and Resilience

The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the way we live and work, enabling everything from smart homes and wearable tech to industrial IoT and connected healthcare. As devices multiply and networks grow more complex, including those relying on IoT connectivity across diverse, distributed environments, so do the risks to security, privacy, and operational continuity.

Protecting deployments with the right IoT security solution means more than installing firewalls or encrypting data. It requires a strategic, end-to-end approach, covering device access, data handling, compliance, physical infrastructure, and system resilience.

Pelion, with decades of experience in secure cellular and device connectivity, offers a comprehensive suite of tools and strategies to meet these evolving needs. Explore the core considerations for building secure, reliable, and regulation-ready IoT solutions.

The expanding threat landscape in IoT

Every connected device is a potential entry point for cyber attackers. Many IoT devices operate with limited computing resources and minimal built-in security, making them vulnerable to a wide range of threats, including:

• Unauthorized device access

• Interception of sensitive data

• Firmware tampering

• Physical theft or damage

• Regulatory non-compliance

Securing your deployment means addressing these vulnerabilities holistically, from device identity to data encryption, network hardening, and beyond.

Securing device access: Pelion’s multi-layered approach

Remote device access is essential for monitoring and maintenance, but it also poses significant risk. Pelion offers three core technologies that allow secure, scalable device access without exposing networks or compromising performance.

1. Direct Inbound Network Access (DINA)

Pelion’s DINA provides a secure, temporary connection to devices without requiring static IP addresses or permanent infrastructure like full VPNs. DINA creates an ad-hoc connection through Pelion’s Connectivity Management Platform, the Pelion Portal, offering access on demand while mitigating risks such as DoS attacks on exposed public IPs.

Although traffic does not flow through an encrypted tunnel, customers are encouraged to use secure protocols (e.g., HTTPS) for services accessed via DINA.

2. OpenVPN: Secure, flexible remote access

Pelion’s OpenVPN offering establishes encrypted tunnels between engineers and devices, suitable for dynamic or remote deployments. It supports scalable multi-user access and maintains high availability through failover mechanisms.

Key principles of Pelion’s OpenVPN include:

• Certificate-based authentication

• Secure on-demand access

• Failover support

• Simplified setup for engineering teams

This solution is ideal for troubleshooting, diagnostics, and development environments requiring secure ad-hoc connectivity.

3. IPSec VPN: Encrypted enterprise tunnels

For robust, enterprise-grade security, Pelion supports multiple IPSec configurations that encrypt and authenticate traffic at the IP layer.

• Policy-based IPSec: Simple routing for fixed endpoints.

• GRE over IPSec: Adds routing flexibility and BGP support.

• VTI IPSec (preferred): Enables dynamic routing and traffic failover using BGP for complex deployments.

All IPSec options are centrally managed, regularly audited, and meet rigorous industry standards for data protection.

Designing for resilience: Broader IoT security considerations

Beyond secure access, IoT systems must be hardened across all layers, from firmware to APIs to decommissioning policies. Key areas include:

Device identity & authentication

Each device should have a unique, verifiable identity. Strong authentication mechanisms help ensure only authorized devices participate in your network.

Secure data transmission

Threats to data in transit include interception, modification, and regulatory non-compliance. Pelion mitigates these through:

• Encrypted VPN tunnels

• Secure communication protocols (TLS, IPSec)

• Authentication of endpoints

Even constrained devices can transmit securely when encryption is handled by Pelion’s network infrastructure.

Smart data storage practices

Data storage must align with compliance and security requirements. Key practices include:

• Encryption at rest

• Secure data centers with physical access control

• Compliance with localization laws

• Data retention and disposal policies

Pelion stores only metadata required for analytics and billing, minimizing exposure while delivering performance insights.

Understanding data sensitivity and classification

Classifying data helps define its required level of protection. Typical classifications include:

• Public: Low risk; safe to disclose

• Confidential: Internal use only

• Confidential restricted: Access-controlled

• Secret: High risk; heavily regulated

Appropriate classification ensures both security and regulatory alignment.

Cryptography on constrained devices

Many IoT devices can’t support advanced cryptographic operations due to power and processing limitations. Pelion mitigates this with transit encryption via VPNs, allowing organizations to choose cost-efficient, battery-friendly devices without sacrificing security.

Key considerations:

• Secure key management

• Lightweight cryptographic algorithms

• Compliance with encryption standards

Physical security: A foundational layer

Securing physical infrastructure is just as critical as digital security, especially for remote or high-value deployments.

Why physical security matters

• Prevents unauthorised access: Protects hardware and systems from tampering.

• Ensures environmental protection: Guards against fire, flooding, or natural disasters.

• Supports compliance: Meets regulatory mandates for data centre protections.

Core components of physical security

• Access controls (biometric, cards, security personnel)

• Surveillance systems (CCTV, motion detection)

• Physical barriers (fences, gates)

• Environmental controls (fire suppression, climate systems)

• Staff training and procedural discipline

Pelion’s infrastructure is hosted in world-class data centers that adhere to the highest physical security standards, offering partners both safety and high availability.

Building a resilient, compliant IoT ecosystem

Securing your IoT deployment is not a one-time task, it’s a continuous process of risk management, compliance, and resilience planning. Pelion enables this through flexible access methods (DINA, OpenVPN, IPSec), encrypted communication, intelligent data handling, and physically secure infrastructure.

As IoT evolves and threats grow more complex, organizations must stay vigilant and proactive. With the right partners and best practices in place, IoT can deliver on its promise, securely and at scale.