IoT Security
Article | July 17, 2023
Explore the IoT certifications and grow your skills with the transforming landscape. Including Iot security certifications, this curated list will help you to boost career in the IoT industry.
As the Internet of Things continues to expand its reach across industries, the need for robust security measures to safeguard connected devices and data has become paramount. With IoT systems' growing complexity and interconnectivity, organizations seek professionals with specialized knowledge and expertise in IoT security. In response to this demand, various certifications have emerged to validate individuals' skills and provide them with a competitive edge in the IoT industry. In this article, we will explore some key IoT security certifications that can significantly enhance one's career prospects and contribute to IoT solutions' safe and secure deployment.
1. IoT Security Certification and Cybersecurity
Intertek’s IoT Security Certification and Cybersecurity provides IoT certification and testing services to validate the security of connected products. Securing endpoints and ecosystems has become crucial with the rapid growth of the Internet of Things. Intertek's total quality assurance approach involves understanding the product, use cases, integration with other systems, and developing a roadmap to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. Their IoT security and cybersecurity experts guide clients in choosing the most relevant program for their product and target markets, instilling confidence in product security. Intertek offers services such as the Cyber Assured Program, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, testing to standards like ANSI/UL 2900 and IEC 62443, connected medical device security, industrial automated control systems security (IEC 62443), and advisory services. Intertek's expertise helps clients address cybersecurity risks and ensure the security of their IoT products.
2. Securing IoT - Build secure IoT solutions: 2-in-1
The Securing IoT: Build Secure IoT Solutions: 2-in-1 course is a comprehensive training program designed to help IoT product designers, IoT product managers, IT security professionals, and security engineers build secure and robust Internet of Things systems. The course consists of 'Fundamentals of IoT Security' and 'Security Engineering for the IoT.' The learners will delve into IoT security architectures, regulations, and standards. Privacy concerns and Privacy by Design principles and practical examples of conducting Privacy Impact Assessments are addressed. Cryptographic solutions, identity and access management, and key management solutions are explored, along with the cloud's secure connectivity, processing, and storage of data. By the end of the program, participants will have the skills to identify threats to their organization's data and IoT systems, employing design techniques, applied cryptography, and secure cloud connectivity for robust security.
3. IOT Security Professional (ICIP)
The IoT Security Professional (ICIP) program offered by ISAC is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of cyberattacks on IoT and SCADA systems. The training focuses on offensive testing techniques to better understand and combat hack and malware attacks. Participants will learn about discovering sensitive devices, network hacking via IoT, hacking smart devices, and controlling SCADA systems. The program includes case studies on malware like WannaCry and Crash Override and defensive measures like threat intelligence and endpoint protection. The course suits security researchers, forensic investigators, security teams, law enforcement agencies, and military personnel. Successful completion of the program grants a Clean Exit Professional Ethics Certification and inclusion in the National Security Database.
4. Internet of Things Security Expert Training
The Internet of Things Security Expert course offered by Cognixia is a comprehensive training program designed for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of IoT security. The course covers various IoT security platforms and provides hands-on training with relevant tools. It consists of three major modules: python, advanced IoT training and certification, and IoT Security. The Python module familiarizes candidates with the versatile programming language and its applications in IoT development. The Advanced IoT Training and Certification module covers IoT ecosystems' architecture, development, deployment, and security with real-life case studies. The IoT Security module focuses on securing IoT devices, covering architecture, practical attacks, vulnerability disclosure, and securing connected products. The course offers lifetime access to learning materials and round-the-clock technical support.
5. IOT Analyst Certification
One of the online IoT certification courses, the IT Analyst Certification is a 12-month program that focuses on combining IoT with Analytics to unlock valuable data from connected IoT devices. The course comprises three courses covering data acquisition, exploratory analysis, cleaning, and final analysis for IoT systems. It also teaches how advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms can be applied to build complex IoT solutions. The program is suitable for students from all backgrounds, and no prior knowledge of analytics or IoT is required, although basic quantitative skills are beneficial. After completing the curriculum and passing the certification test, students receive the IOT Analyst Certification, enabling them to process and analyze data from IoT sensors and become proficient in IoT analytics. The certification opens up opportunities in the fast-growing Big Data and Analytics industry, where IoT analytics is widely applied to predict future technology trends.
6. IOT Professional Certification
The IOT Professional Certification offered by Jigsaw Academy is a comprehensive program designed to help individuals master the implementation of IoT using Arduino. This 12-month online iot certification course uses the Arduino platform to build IoT solutions from scratch. The program consists of four courses covering various IoT aspects, including sensor-connected devices and gateways. Students will engage in hands-on exercises, real-life case studies, and a capstone project to apply their knowledge effectively. Upon completion, students receive a certification that validates their skills in building and applying IoT solutions, setting up IoT Cloud for data storage and analysis, and proficiency in Arduino programming language. The IOT Professional Certification equips individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the high-demand field of IoT and opens up better job prospects.
7. IoT and its Applications
TCS iON Digital Learning Hub offers the 'IoT and its Applications' certificate course, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of the Internet of Things. The course spans 5 to 6 months, delivered in English through digital lectures, e-learning resources, and community-based virtual classrooms. Through industry assignments and expert-led instruction, participants gain theoretical and practical insights into IoT applications. Upon completion, learners receive a verifiable digital certificate and gain industry-level skills required for test engineers or computer programmers. This course helps learners grasp IoT theories and practical applications, offering valuable career opportunities.
Conclusion
In an era where the Internet of Things is transforming industries and revolutionizing the way, we interact with technology, ensuring the security of IoT systems has become a critical imperative. The certifications discussed in this article represent a selection of key credentials available to professionals seeking to boost their careers in the IoT industry. By obtaining these certifications, individuals can validate their expertise in IoT security, demonstrating their commitment to upholding best practices and safeguarding the integrity of connected devices and data.
As the demand for IoT security professionals continues to rise, these certifications will serve as powerful assets, opening doors to exciting opportunities and positioning individuals as trusted experts in the ever-evolving field of IoT security. By investing in these certifications, professionals can take significant strides toward advancing their careers and contributing to the secure and responsible growth of the IoT ecosystem.
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IoT Security
Article | October 11, 2023
Enhancing IoT security: Unveiling the significance of penetration testing in securing real-world IoT applications, identifying vulnerabilities, and mitigating risks for the protection of IoT data.
Contents
1. Introduction to IoT Application Security and Penetration Testing
1.1 Vulnerabilities of IoT application security
2. Fundamentals of IoT Penetration Testing
3. Considerations for IoT Penetration Testing
4. Methodologies and Approaches for IoT Penetration Testing
5. Takeaway
1. Introduction to IoT Application Security and Penetration Testing
Securing real-world IoT applications is paramount as the Internet of Things (IoT) permeates various aspects of any individuals lives. Penetration testing serves as a vital tool in identifying vulnerabilities and assessing the resilience of IoT systems against cyber threats. In this article, delve into the significance of penetration testing in securing IoT applications, exploring its role in identifying weaknesses, mitigating risks, and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of IoT data.
1.1 Vulnerabilities of IoT application security
Expanded Attack Surface: The proliferation of IoT devices has dramatically expanded the attack surface, increasing the potential for security breach enterprise networks. With billions of interconnected devices, each presenting a potential vulnerability, the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security incidents is significantly heightened.
Risks: IoT devices often possess limited computational resources, making them susceptible to software and firmware vulnerabilities. Their resource-constrained nature can limit the implementation of robust security measures, leaving them exposed to potential attacks. Furthermore, a significant concern is the prevalence of default or weak credentials on these devices.
Diverse Threat Landscape: The threat landscape surrounding IoT devices is extensive and ever-evolving. It encompasses various attack vectors, including malware, botnets, DDoS attacks, physical tampering, and data privacy breaches. One notable example is the Mirai botnet, which compromised a vast number of IoT devices to launch large-scale DDoS attacks, leading to significant disruptions in internet services. In addition, IoT devices can serve as entry points for infiltrating larger networks and systems, allowing attackers to pivot and gain control over critical infrastructure.
Botnets: IoT devices can be infected with malware and become part of a botnet, which can be used for various malicious activities. Botnets are often utilized to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, where a network of compromised devices overwhelms a target system with traffic, causing it to become inaccessible.
Ransomware: IoT devices are also vulnerable to ransomware attacks. Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts the data on a device and demands a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key.
Data Breaches: IoT devices can be targeted to steal sensitive data, including personal identifiable information (PII) or financial data. Due to inadequate security measures, such as weak authentication or unencrypted data transmissions, attackers can exploit IoT devices as entry points to gain unauthorized access to networks and systems.
2. Fundamentals of IoT Penetration Testing
IoT penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking or security assessment, is a critical process for testing and identifying vulnerabilities and assessing the security posture of IoT devices, networks, and applications. It involves simulating real-world attacks to uncover weaknesses and provide insights for remediation.
IoT penetration testing involves identifying vulnerabilities, conducting targeted attacks, and evaluating the effectiveness of security controls in IoT systems. IoT pen-testing aims to proactively identify and address potential weaknesses that malicious actors could exploit. The methodology of IoT pen-testing typically follows a structured approach. It begins with attack surface mapping, which involves identifying all potential entry and exit points that an attacker could leverage within the IoT solution. This step is crucial for understanding the system's architecture and potential vulnerabilities. Pentesters spend considerable time gathering information, studying device documentation, analyzing communication protocols, and assessing the device's hardware and software components.
Once the attack surface is mapped, the following steps involve vulnerability identification and exploitation. This includes conducting security tests, exploiting vulnerabilities, and evaluating the system's resilience to attacks. The penetration testers simulate real-world attack scenarios to assess the device's ability to withstand threats. After exploitation, post-exploitation activities are performed to determine the extent of the compromise and evaluate the potential impact on the device and the overall IoT ecosystem. Finally, a detailed technical report summarizes the findings, vulnerabilities, and recommendations for improving the device's security.
3. Considerations for IoT Penetration Testing
Fuzzing and Protocol Reverse Engineering: Employ advanced techniques like fuzzing to identify vulnerabilities in communication protocols used by IoT devices. Fuzzing involves sending malformed or unexpected data to inputs and analyzing the system's response to uncover potential weaknesses.
Radio Frequency (RF) Analysis: Perform RF analysis to identify weaknesses in wireless communication between IoT devices. This includes analyzing RF signals, monitoring wireless communication protocols, and identifying potential vulnerabilities such as replay attacks or unauthorized signal interception.
Red Team Exercises: Conduct red team exercises to simulate real-world attack scenarios and evaluate the organization's detection and response capabilities. Red team exercises go beyond traditional penetration testing by emulating the actions and techniques of skilled attackers. This helps uncover any weaknesses in incident response, detection, and mitigation processes related to IoT security incidents.
Embedded System Analysis: Gain expertise in analyzing and reverse engineering embedded systems commonly found in IoT devices. This includes understanding microcontrollers, debugging interfaces, firmware extraction techniques, and analyzing the device's hardware architecture. Embedded system analysis helps identify low-level vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors.
Zero-Day Vulnerability Research: Engage in zero-day vulnerability research to identify previously unknown vulnerabilities in IoT devices and associated software. This requires advanced skills in vulnerability discovery, exploit development, and the ability to responsibly disclose vulnerabilities to vendors.
4. Methodologies and Approaches for IoT Penetration Testing
Mobile, Web and Cloud Application Testing
Mobile, web, and cloud application testing is integral to IoT penetration testing, focusing on assessing the security of applications that interact with IoT devices. This methodology involves various steps to evaluate the security of these applications across different platforms. For mobile applications, the methodology includes reviewing the binary code, conducting reverse engineering to understand the inner workings, and analyzing the file system structure. Sensitive information such as keys and certificates embedded within the mobile app are scrutinized for secure storage and handling. The assessment extends to examining the application's resistance to unauthorized modifications. In web applications, the testing covers common vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS), insecure direct object references (IDOR), and injection attacks. Application reversing techniques are employed to gain insights into the application's logic and potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, hardcoded API keys are identified and assessed for their security implications.
Firmware Penetration Testing
Firmware penetration testing is a crucial aspect of IoT security assessments, aiming to identify vulnerabilities within the firmware running on IoT devices. The methodology encompasses multiple steps to uncover weaknesses. The process begins with binary analysis, dissecting the firmware to understand its structure, functionality, and potential vulnerabilities. Reverse engineering techniques are applied to gain deeper insights into the firmware's inner workings, exposing potential weaknesses like hardcoded credentials or hidden functionality. The analysis extends to examining different file systems used in the firmware and evaluating their configurations and permissions. Sensitive keys, certificates, and cryptographic material embedded within the firmware are scrutinized for secure generation, storage, and utilization. Additionally, the resistance of the firmware to unauthorized modification is assessed, including integrity checks, secure boot mechanisms, and firmware update processes.
IoT Device Hardware Pentest
IoT device hardware penetration testing involves a systematic methodology to assess the security of IoT devices at the hardware level. This comprehensive approach aims to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that attackers could exploit. The methodology includes analyzing internal communication protocols like UART, I2C, and SPI to understand potential attack vectors. Open ports are examined to evaluate the security controls and risks associated with communication interfaces. The JTAG debugging interface is explored to gain low-level access and assess the device's resistance to unauthorized access. Extracting firmware from EEPROM or FLASH memory allows testers to analyze the code, configurations, and security controls. Physical tampering attempts are made to evaluate the effectiveness of the device's physical security measures.
5. Takeaway
Penetration testing is crucial in securing real-world IoT applications, enabling organizations to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate risks effectively. By conducting comprehensive and regular penetration tests, organizations can proactively identify and address security weaknesses, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of IoT data. With the ever-growing threat landscape and increasing reliance on IoT technologies, penetration testing has become indispensable to safeguard IoT applications and protect against potential cyber-attacks.
Several key factors will shape the future of IoT penetration testing. First, the increasing complexity of IoT systems will require testing methodologies to adapt and assess intricate architectures, diverse protocols, and a wide range of devices. Second, there will be a greater emphasis on security by design, with penetration testing focusing on verifying secure coding practices, robust access controls, and secure communication protocols. Third, supply chain security will become crucial, necessitating penetration testing to assess the security measures implemented by vendors, third-party components, and firmware updates. Fourth, integrating IoT penetration testing with DevSecOps practices will ensure continuous monitoring and improvement of IoT system security. Lastly, as attackers become more sophisticated, future IoT penetration testing methodologies will need to keep pace with evolving IoT-specific attack techniques. By embracing these advancements, IoT penetration testing will play a vital role in ensuring the security and privacy of IoT deployments.
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IoT Security
Article | July 5, 2023
Every major industry, including retail, transportation, banking, healthcare, and energy, has significantly benefited from the Internet of Things. Processes like supply chains are where the Internet of Things best demonstrates its promise. Applications for management, forecasting, and oversight aid fleet managers in increasing distribution's operational effectiveness and decision-making openness.
Some of the primary goals for IoT deployment in supply chain management include tracking and monitoring. For example, warehouse and fleet managers can use technology to keep an eye on their stock and freight.
Reasons to Use IoT in Supply Chain Management
Real-time Location-tracking
Thanks to the Internet of Things, managers have access to a consistent stream of real-time data on the product's location and the environment surrounding transportation. You may keep track of the delivery of both finished items and raw materials, and you will be informed if the product is transported in the wrong direction.
Monitoring of Storage Conditions
Environmental sensors allow management to monitor cargo conditions and take immediate action when something changes. One of the most popular IoT supply chain systems, for example, collects data on pressure, humidity, the temperature inside vehicles, and other factors that could harm the goods and then automatically adjusts the environment.
Enhance Your Emergency Planning
Supply chain managers can design routes with the use of IoT and data analytics, taking into account traffic, weather, potential accidents, and other delay-causing events that may occur along the way. The Internet of Things collects all the data required to create adaptable backup plans and identify the source of any current delays. Also, supply chain managers can get alerts from the system in real time, which speeds up reducing risks.
Forecast Goods Arrival and Movement
IoT devices and data analytics systems are used by managers to enhance the decision-making process and boost the accuracy of delivery estimates. Real-time tracking lets businesses keep track of products as they are shipped, predict when they will arrive, and plan for and reduce the risk of delays.
Conclusion
There are many different IoT applications for supply chain management. For example, it improves communication between parties, makes it easier to track and monitor commodities, and makes planning more precise.
As long as you have a clear goal for what you need the technology to achieve for you, an IoT-based platform is an excellent investment for both small and large organizations. It's also essential to bring on a talented team for the design and development phase.
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Article | April 15, 2020
Three out of four IoT projects are considered a failure, according to Cisco. This is troubling but even more so when Cisco also found 61 per cent of companies say they believe they’ve barely begun to scratch the surface of IoT can do for their business? Businesses believe in the long-term value offered by integrating IoT into their business plan, however, they lack the knowledge of what is required to ensure the success of such a complex project. By studying past failed projects, technology leaders can gain a better understanding of why they failed and what they can do differently when evaluating and undertaking new IoT initiatives.
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