Best Practices for IoT Security in 2021 | Antivirus

When you use a smartphone these days, it gathers tons of private information about you and your lifestyle. That is why the protection of your data is of course essential. They expect the devices to work as advertised - and so does the security of your personal information.

Consumers have learned something new in recent years: They know that they have to actively work on the security of their data. In many cases, however, this link between user and cybersecurity is exclusive to computers. But the world has changed: Today, personal data is recorded using a wide variety of new devices and hardware types. For example, an automated lawn sprinkler is part of the Internet of Things - or “Internet of Things” (IoT) - and enables the device to be programmed using a smartphone. If this IoT device is infected, intruders could, for example, draw conclusions about when you plan to leave the city.

In contrast to classic cyber technology, where the problems tended to occur in the software area, IoT security takes place at the interface between the cyber and physical world. To protect these solutions, the devices themselves must be protected. And this requires a secure connection between devices, the cloud, and secure data storage.

Why Is IoT Security so Important?

The IoT is a network of devices, appliances, and other components whose software provides a connection to the Internet. Hackers cannot only get your personal data via computers and smartphones. Any device, vehicle, or system that interacts online can potentially reveal personal information to cybercriminals. And it's not just about financial data: Cybercriminals can, for example, access connected vehicles to disable security functions. With so many devices networked in the Internet of Things, hackers have numerous opportunities to attack. Here you can find out more about what the IoT actually is.

Developing Safe Devices

To ensure device safety, we have to observe it at every step of development. A Secure Development Lifecycle (SDL) is a process that achieves just that. It consists of seven phases:

·         Training phase: Here, basic concepts for building secure software are developed, including secure design, threat modeling, secure programming, security tests and best practices about data protection.
·         Requirements Phase: The beginning of any project is the perfect time to consider and understand fundamental security and privacy issues of your project, including legal requirements.
·         Design phase: Not all software functions are secure - so design your project around its strengths and add additional layers of security where it makes the most sense.
·         Implementation phase: Use proven tools during this phase, remove unsafe functions and carry out the necessary analyzes.
·         Verification Phase: In this phase, you ensure that your code meets the security and privacy requirements that you established in the requirements and design phases.
·         Publishing phase: Create a plan for security incidents and rapid incident response.
·         Response Phase: Execute your incident response plan.

Secure Connectivity

Thanks to encryption and other solutions, consumers can take advantage of secure cloud technologies. These other solutions include:

·         Protection of your internet gateway

·         Safe starts, where the firmware is checked before the system starts

·         Secure regular updates of your cloud-based solutions

·         Secure VPN connections for encrypting private online data

Build a Secure Network

It is important to control access to your network so that only approved devices can connect. There are several steps you can take to do this:

·         Set up a firewall.

·         Provide secure authentication.

·         Install the latest antivirus program to monitor and protect your network.

Secure Data Storage

From permanently active storage virus protection to manual scans to cloud-based security, there are many functions you can use to protect data storage. The following functions should be implemented and active:

·         flexible scanning processes
·         flexible reporting functions
·         Notification systems
·         proactive anti-malware technologies
·         user-friendly, central management console

By building a solid foundation with these best practices, you will improve your IoT security. The world is changing and IT risks are increasing exponentially. Hardware and cloud-based storage components contain a lot of private information, such as: B. Account and credit card details. This is why cybersecurity should be a top priority for all devices with an Internet connection.