Security, IoT Security
Article | July 13, 2023
Driving digital transformation in manufacturing: Embracing seamless connectivity, data integration and risk-proof IoT security for enhanced efficiency, product quality, and innovation in industry 4.0.
Contents
1. Introduction to IoT Security in the Connected Era
1.1 Significance of IoT Security for Business Resilience
1.2 Current Scenario of IoT Security
2. Next-Gen Authentication and Authorization for IoT Devices
3. Secure Ecosystems for Businesses Through IoT Network Access Control
4. Quantum Cryptography: Fortifying IoT Data Protection
5. IoT Security Providers for Connectivity in Businesses
5.1 Armis
5.2 Mocana
5.3 Inside Secure
5.4 V5 Systems
5.5 Nozomi Networks
5.6 Dragos
5.7 Claroty
5.8 ForgeRock
5.9 Praetorian
5.10 Security Innovation
6. Key Takeaways
1. Introduction to IoT Security in the Connected Era
In the connected era, the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has brought unparalleled convenience and efficiency to businesses and individuals alike. The interlinking of devices and their efficient networking is the need of the hour for businesses to function effectively with maximum productivity. However, IoT security has become paramount with the exponential growth of interconnected devices. Ensuring the security and integrity of these devices and the data they handle is crucial for businesses to safeguard their operations, protect customer privacy, and maintain trust in the digital ecosystem.
1.1 Significance of IoT Security for Business Resilience
IoT security in businesses encompasses a comprehensive approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential vulnerabilities throughout the IoT ecosystem. This includes implementing robust authentication mechanisms, encryption protocols, and access controls to prevent unauthorized access. Monitoring and updating IoT devices to address emerging threats is essential to maintaining a robust security posture.
Business resilience requires staying proactive in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats. Regular security assessments, vulnerability testing, and incident response planning are essential to identifying and addressing potential weaknesses in IoT devices before malicious actors can exploit them. This proactive approach enables organizations to respond to security incidents swiftly, minimize the impact of a breach, and recover operations more efficiently.
1.2 Current Scenario of IoT Security
IoT security requires the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as AI and ML, to proactively detect and respond to cyber threats. Businesses can identify patterns, anomalies, and potential security risks by analyzing the vast amounts of data generated by IoT devices. Advanced security measures also involve securing communication channels and adopting secure coding practices to minimize the risk of data breaches or tampering. Correct and legitimate information in IoT security is crucial, as inadequate security measures can expose businesses to significant risks. Cyberattacks targeting IoT devices, such as botnets, ransomware, and data breaches, have already resulted in substantial financial losses and reputational damage for organizations worldwide. To stay ahead of malicious actors, businesses must prioritize ongoing security training, collaborate with industry experts, and adhere to established security standards.
2. Next-Gen Authentication and Authorization for IoT Devices
The future of IoT security relies on next-generation authentication and authorization mechanisms designed to address the unique challenges of IoT environments. Biometric and behavioral authentication techniques offer enhanced security by verifying user identity based on physical or behavioral characteristics, adding an extra layer of protection for IoT devices. Context-aware access control adapts permissions dynamically based on contextual factors such as device location and user behavior, ensuring secure access in dynamic IoT networks. Additionally, smart manufacturing leveraging blockchain technology provides immutable and decentralized identity management, mitigating the risk of identity fraud and enhancing trust in IoT ecosystems. Embracing these advanced authentication and authorization approaches allows businesses to fortify the security of their IoT devices and establish a resilient foundation for the connected future.
3. Secure Ecosystems for Businesses Through IoT Network Access Control
IoT network access control plays a pivotal role in ensuring the security and integrity of business ecosystems. With the proliferation of IoT devices, controlling and securing access to these interconnected devices becomes paramount. Implementing robust network access control mechanisms helps businesses establish secure network segmentation, granting specific access privileges based on roles and responsibilities. Segmenting IoT devices from critical systems can contain potential breaches, limiting the impact on the entire network. Moreover, secure device authorization is essential for vetting and authenticating IoT devices before granting network access. Advanced authentication mechanisms, such as two-factor or certificate-based authentication, provide an extra layer of protection, ensuring that only trusted devices can join the network. This fortifies the ecosystem against unauthorized or compromised devices, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
In the digital era, where data is a critical asset, network access control is not only a technical imperative but also a business necessity. Businesses must prioritize implementing these advanced access control measures to safeguard their ecosystems, protect sensitive data, and maintain customer trust. A secure IoT ecosystem fosters business resilience, allowing organizations to fully leverage the transformative potential of IoT while mitigating security risks effectively.
4. Quantum Cryptography: Fortifying IoT Data Protection
The technology is shifting towards quantum computing, which possesses superior processing capacity. It can readily circumvent existing cryptographic algorithms. Quantum cryptography is a secure method for encrypting data and assuring the highest level of security by providing only a single secret key to decrypt, only in the data's owner's possession. In contrast to traditional quantum computers, quantum computing's cryptography relies on physical rather than mathematical properties.
It is a completely impenetrable system; imitating or viewing any data protected by encoded encryption in a quantum state is impossible. It is also impervious to any quantum computing applications. Public key cryptography algorithms, which are highly secure and ensure data protection against any quantum computer cyberattack, provide this protection against any quantum computer cyberattack.
5. IoT Security Providers for Connectivity in Businesses
5.1 Armis
Armis provides the foremost asset intelligence platform on the market, designed to address the new threat landscape created by connected devices. Without an agent, it offers rich facts and context for device identification and classification, including manufacturer, model, IP and MAC addresses, OS, reputation, and usernames. The platform monitors device behavior and detects active vulnerabilities and threats in real-time. Armis provides reliable threat detection and response using premium threat intelligence feeds and device behavior insights. The Armis Threat Detection Engine quickly protects the environment by combining threat intelligence sources. Policy violations and threat detections can be enforced automatically or manually, allowing companies to disconnect or quarantine suspicious or malicious devices through network infrastructure or integrated security solutions. Armis Agentless Device Security Platform installs easily without network changes. It enhances infrastructure to protect assets. Its technology provides visibility, proactive threat detection, and effective cybersecurity management to protect vital assets and company activities.
5.2 Mocana
Mocanacyber security for the Internet of Things, operational technology, and vital infrastructure. Mocana's tightly integrated solutions assist businesses in mitigating the risk of a cyber-attack, adhering to industry standards, and safeguarding intellectual property by ensuring that devices and processes are trusted end-to-end, from device fabrication to deployment. DigiCert for Connected Devices offers a streamlined and efficient solution for seamless application integration and migration, eliminating the need for custom code across various systems. This approach enhances resilience, maintains continuous perimeter security, and increases agility in responding to vulnerabilities or attacks. Digital trust is at the core of every endpoint, securing and hardening devices in the field with plug-and-play applications. Immutable identity simplifies device discovery and identification, streamlining compliance audits and providing real-time oversight of the entire IoT environment. Secure boot processes, remote shutdown capabilities, and comprehensive visibility and control over network connections further enhance security.
5.3 Inside Secure
Inside Secureis a leading provider of security solutions for mobile and connected devices. They offer a comprehensive software portfolio, silicon IP, tools, and expertise to safeguard customers' transactions, content, applications, and communications. With a strong focus on security, the company delivers products with advanced technical capabilities that cover a wide range of security requirement levels. They serve various demanding markets, including network security for IoT, content & application protection, and mobile payment & banking. Inside Secure's technology plays a crucial role in protecting solutions for a diverse range of customers, including service providers, content distributors, security system integrators, device vendors, and semiconductor manufacturers. Their deep security expertise and experience allow them to deliver innovative and differentiated security solutions to address the evolving security challenges in the rapidly changing landscape of mobile and connected devices.
5.4 V5 Systems
V5 Systems a technology firm recognized for introducing the world’s inaugural edge computing platform designed specifically for outdoor environments. The company has established a comprehensive solution addressing outdoor security, power, and computing requirements. V5 Systems delivers advanced outdoor security solutions along with a versatile computing platform capable of supporting various third-party applications. Additionally, the innovative ongoing power platform developed by V5 Systems enables unparalleled computing capabilities in any outdoor setting. With a commitment to leading the charge in Industrial IoT technology advancements, V5 Systems is dedicated to ongoing innovation. While the company prioritizes its customers and partners, ensuring the delivery of products and services with the highest level of enterprise support and customer care; it is focused on fostering a safer, smarter world, empowering stakeholders.
5.5 Nozomi Networks
Nozomi Networks specializes in protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats, offering a unique platform that combines network and endpoint visibility, threat detection, and AI-powered analysis for faster and more effective incident response. To mitigate IoT data security challenges, Nozomi Networks recommends starting with the assumption that IoT devices are inherently insecure and each device can serve as a vulnerable entry point into the network and business processes. Key strategies to address IoT security challenges include network Segmentation by limiting connectivity of IoT devices and networks to the business network, Vulnerability Management and Cybersecurity Monitoring by Monitoring network traffic, which provides insight into device behavior and helps identify malicious events and zero-day attacks. It helps organizations identify all communicating assets on their networks, detect vulnerable OT and IoT assets, monitor IoT cybersecurity threats and process reliability.
5.6 Dragos
Dragoswitha global mission to safeguard civilization's industrial infrastructure, offers influential industrial cybersecurity technology through the Dragos Platform. This platform gives customers visibility into their ICS/OT assets, vulnerabilities, threats, and response actions. The strength of the Dragos Platform lies in its ability to incorporate Dragos's industry-leading OT threat intelligence and insights from the Dragos services team into the software. Additionally, Dragos adopts a community-focused approach, allowing customers access to the most extensive array of industrial organizations for collective defense and broad visibility. To ensure compliance with OT cybersecurity controls, Dragos provides industrial cybersecurity solutions tailored to meet cybersecurity control requirements, including NERC-CIP, TSA Pipeline, US Federal BOD, EU NIS, KSA OTCC, and more. Furthermore, Dragos WorldView Threat Intelligence provides situational awareness of adversary activity and vulnerabilities affecting industrial sectors, including adversary research, strategic intelligence reports and vulnerability analysis.
5.7 Claroty
Clarotyisa leading provider of industrial cybersecurity solutions, empowering organizations to secure cyber-physical systems across industrial, healthcare (IoMT), and enterprise environments, known as the Extended Internet of Things (XIoT). Their unified platform integrates with customers' existing infrastructure to offer a range of controls, including visibility, risk and vulnerability management, threat detection, and secure remote access. It offers Ongoing security and compliance posture management, including full asset inventory across the XIoT, A zero-trust security architecture critical for minimizing cyber risk in OT environments and Proactive threat detection and mitigation to address the difficulty of responding to evolving threats. With extensive experience in cyber risk management, Claroty provides robust solutions that cater to a wide range of industries, including electric, oil & gas, manufacturing, building automation systems, chemical, government, water, food & beverage, mining, transportation, and pharmaceutical.
5.8 ForgeRock
ForgeRock is a leading digital identity provider that offers modern and comprehensive IAM solutions for consumers, employees, and IoT devices. Their AI-powered identity platform enables organizations to achieve Zero Trust and Continuous Adaptive Risk and Trust Assessment (CARTA) security models quickly and efficiently across hybrid IT environments.ForgeRock helps organizations deliver Zero Trust and CARTA security by continuously identifying and remediating user access risks using AI-powered analytics. With ForgeRock Intelligent Access, organizations can build secure and dynamic user journeys without impacting IT resources or application performance. The platform allows authentication and authorization with context, such as user, device, behavior, and location. ForgeRock enables the infusion of modern identity into legacy systems and environments, applying Zero Trust principles across the organization. They provide free downloads and offer resources for organizations to learn more about their solutions and implement a robust zero-trust strategy.
5.9 Praetorian
Praetorian offers end-to-end Internet of Things product security evaluations and certifications, ensuring the security of IoT products from chip to cloud. Their solutions cover various technological domains, including embedded devices, firmware, wireless communications protocols, web and mobile applications, cloud services and APIs, and back-end network infrastructure. They have developed research-driven evaluation methodologies to address emerging security challenges based on the OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS). This approach allows for tiered pricing based on the comprehensiveness of the security review, accommodating different testing and budget requirements. They employ various techniques to uncover unknown vulnerabilities in their professional security evaluations, depending on the level of rigor required.
5.10 Security Innovation
Security is a reputable authority in software security, assisting organizations in building and deploying more secure software. The company specializes in software security, where traditional information security and business consultants often struggle. Security Innovation offers progressive training covering the full spectrum of IoT software assurance for builders, operators, and defenders. Security Innovation conducts IoT security testing for IoT and embedded systems to ensure the secure implementation of IoT software and firmware. They meticulously review connected devices' security threats and attack surfaces, examining physical, communication, infrastructure, and application levels. Their precision security testing focuses on high-risk areas that attackers are likely to target. IoT security testing outputs include security and functional objectives, identified attack vectors, and guidance on fixing vulnerabilities through mitigating controls.
6. Key Takeaways
Exploring the IoT security landscape in the era of connectivity is crucial as the Internet of Things continues to expand and impact various industries. As the number of interconnected devices surges, the IoT security landscape will become increasingly complex, with new threats and vulnerabilities constantly emerging. The need for advanced security measures and proactive cybersecurity strategies will be more critical than ever before. Innovations in device-based authentication and authorization mechanisms, such as biometric and behavioral authentication, as well as context-aware access control, will enhance the security of IoT ecosystems.
Furthermore, industry-wide collaboration and adopting security standards will be essential to building a resilient IoT security landscape. Manufacturers, developers, and stakeholders must prioritize security by design, ensuring that IoT devices are built with safety as a fundamental principle. Implementing secure development practices, conducting regular security audits, and establishing effective incident response plans will bolster IoT security.
Addressing security challenges becomes paramount as IoT devices become more interconnected and play a significant role in critical operations. With the growing adoption of IoT, a proactive approach to IoT security is essential to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and maintain the trust of users and customers. By prioritizing IoT security and taking proactive measures, organizations can fully realize the benefits of connectivity while mitigating the risks associated with the ever-expanding IoT landscape.
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IoT Security
Article | July 17, 2023
Introduction
We live in a world where technology is becoming more and more intertwined with our daily lives. It’s no longer just our laptops, smartphones, and tablets connected to the internet – now, our homes, cars, and even our clothes can be too. This interconnectedness is made possible by the internet of things (IoT), a network of physical objects equipped with sensors and software that allow them to collect and exchange data.
IoT devices have the potential to transform the way we live and work. They can make our lives more convenient and help us be more efficient. IoT devices can also help us to save money and to improve the quality of our lives.
IoT devices are devices that are connected to the internet and can collect, send, and receive data. They can be anything from fitness trackers to industrial machines. IoT devices are used across a variety of industries, and they are becoming more and more commonplace. At [x]cube LABS, we have helped global enterprises deliver great value to their consumers with IoT devices, and in this blog post, we will talk about how IoT devices are used in different industries. Additionally, we will give some examples of IoT devices that are being used in each industry.
Healthcare
IoT devices are being used in healthcare to provide better patient care and to improve the efficiency of healthcare organizations. IoT devices can be used to monitor patients’ vital signs, track their medication adherence, and collect data about their health. IoT devices can also be used to provide remote patient monitoring, track medical equipment, and support clinical research.
There are many different types of IoT devices that are being used in healthcare. Some of the most common types of IoT devices that are being used in healthcare include wearable devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches; medical devices, such as pacemakers and insulin pumps; and hospital equipment, such as IV pumps and ventilators. All these devices collect data that can be used to improve patient care and make healthcare organizations more efficient.
Manufacturing
IoT devices are being used in manufacturing to improve the efficiency of production lines and to reduce the amount of waste. IoT devices can be used to track the production of products, monitor the condition of machinery, and control the flow of materials. IoT devices can also be used to provide data about the quality of products and to improve the safety of workers.
One of the most common types of IoT devices that are being used in manufacturing is the industrial sensor. Industrial sensors are used to monitor the production of products, the condition of machinery, and the flow of materials. Industrial sensors can also be used to provide data about the quality of products and to improve the safety of workers. The availability of data from industrial sensors is helping manufacturers to improve the efficiency of production lines and to reduce the amount of waste.
Retail
IoT devices are being used in retail to improve the customer experience and increase sales. IoT devices can be used to track inventory, provide customer loyalty programs, and collect data about customer behavior. IoT devices can also be used to provide personalized recommendations, targeted promotions, and real-time customer support.
IoT devices are changing the retail sector in a number of ways. One of the most important ways that IoT devices are changing retail is by providing retailers with real-time data about their customers’ behavior. This data allows retailers to provide a more personalized shopping experience. IoT devices are also being used to improve the efficiency of retail operations, such as inventory management and customer loyalty programs.
Transportation
IoT devices are being used in transportation to improve the safety of drivers and reduce traffic congestion. IoT devices can be used to monitor the condition of vehicles, track their location, and control their speed. IoT devices can also be used to provide data about traffic conditions and to improve the efficiency of transportation systems.
One of the most common types of IoT devices that are being used in transportation is the GPS tracker. GPS trackers are used to monitor the location of vehicles, and they can be used to track the speed and movement of vehicles. GPS trackers can also be used to provide data about traffic conditions and to improve the efficiency of transportation systems.
Agriculture
Agriculture has become increasingly reliant on IoT devices in recent years. IoT devices are being used in agriculture to improve the yield of crops and to reduce the amount of water and fertilizer that is used. IoT devices can be utilized to monitor the condition of crops, track the location of farm animals, and control the flow of irrigation water.
These innovations are helping farmers to increase the yield of their crops and to reduce the amount of water and fertilizer that is used. The data collected by IoT devices is also helping farmers to make more informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and crop maintenance.
Smart Homes
Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular, and IoT devices are the backbone of these systems. IoT devices are being used in homes to improve the security of the home, reduce energy consumption, and improve the quality of life. They can be used to monitor the condition of the home, track the location of family members, and control the operation of home appliances. What’s more, IoT devices can also provide data about the quality of the air, which can be used to improve the efficiency of home security systems. In the future, IoT devices will become an integral part of the smart home, and they will be used to control a wide variety of home appliances and systems.
Aviation
The aviation industry is making use of IoT devices to a great extent. The aviation sector is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world, and IoT devices are being used to improve the safety of passengers and crew members.
IoT is changing the aviation industry by providing data that can be used to improve the safety of pilots and passengers. IoT devices can be used to monitor the condition of aircraft, track their location, and control their speed. IoT devices can also be used to provide data about weather conditions and to improve the efficiency of aviation operations, which can ultimately lead to lower airfare prices.
Energy
The energy sector is also utilizing IoT for a variety of applications. One way that IoT is changing the energy sector is by providing data that can be used to improve the efficiency of energy production and consumption.
They are being used to improve the efficiency of power generation and distribution. IoT devices can be used to monitor the condition of power plants, track the location of power lines, and control the flow of electricity. By using IoT devices to monitor and optimize the power grid, energy companies can reduce the amount of power that is wasted and ultimately lower energy bills for consumers.
Conclusion
IoT devices are changing the world in a number of ways. They are providing data that can be used to improve the efficiency of operations in a variety of industries, from retail to transportation to agriculture. It is likely that IoT devices will become an increasingly important part of our lives in the future due to the efficiency and data that they can provide.
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IoT Security
Article | July 5, 2023
The concept of "never trust, always verify" is the foundation of the relatively new security architecture known as "zero trust." Zero trust requires that all users and devices be verified every time they connect, even from inside the "moat," in contrast to the conventional castle-and-moat security architecture, which automatically trusts users and devices located within a network's perimeter.
Companies are being forced to reconsider how they safeguard their networks by the internet of things (IoT). Unmanaged smart gadgets connected to the internet expand the number of potential access points for hackers to compromise your security when they are added to a network.
Zero Trust Security Expansion for IoT
After establishing it for users and their devices, organizations must extend zero-trust security to cover unmanaged, non-user devices too. To do this, they require zero trust identity management technologies that automatically register devices, issue credentials, and offer password-less authentication.
Device Visibility
A device may be infected with malware or have a security breach if performance problems or bugs start to appear frequently. In addition, a malfunctioning device may be more vulnerable to attack. Therefore, organizations require device health monitoring that can automatically identify problems and flag them for remedy in order to establish and maintain zero trust security for IoT. Some cutting-edge solutions can also automatically prevent an impacted device from making further connection attempts or carrying out corrective actions without requiring human participation.
The Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)
The principle of least privilege (PoLP), which argues that any user or device should only obtain the bare minimum access privileges necessary to perform their job functions, is widely used in conjunction with zero trust security. Therefore, organizations must establish the minimal level of network access required for each device to carry out its functions before limiting its potential privileges in order to deploy PoLP for IoT. Implementing identity and access management (IAM) tools and guidelines that support zero trust and PoLP for devices is one approach to accomplishing this.
Security Monitoring
There are other zero-trust security monitoring programs created especially for IoT, such as Palo Alto Networks' IoT Security, which was previously discussed. Businesses can also utilize tools to monitor devices and network traffic, such as next-generation firewalls and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS). The zero trust security solution for IoT must include monitoring in addition to as much automation as possible so that threats can be identified, contained, and remedied even when no one is there to press a button or disconnect a device manually.
One of the leading causes of zero trust security projects failing over time is that people stop adhering to them once they get complicated. This is especially true for IoT security that operates on zero trust. In addition, it can be logistically challenging to keep remote, unmanaged devices at zero trust.
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Enterprise Iot
Article | June 2, 2022
Introduction
Automation, interconnectivity, machine-learning, and real-time data are part of Industry 4.0, a new phase in the Industrial Revolution. Industry 4.0, which includes IIoT and smart manufacturing, combines physical production and operations with smart digital technologies. It creates a more holistic and linked environment for manufacturing and supply chain management organizations.
In today's production environment, "automation" has a new, more advanced meaning than it has in the past. Industry 4.0 refers to the necessity of lean, efficient operations and the function of sustaining and improving production. In contrast, IIoT distinguishes manufacturing gadgets from consumer products that can connect wirelessly to internal networks and the internet.
IIoT Powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Manufacturing, logistics, oil and gas, transportation, mining, aviation, energy, and other industries use the IIoT. Its main goal is to improve operations, mainly through process automation and maintenance. IIoT capabilities improve asset performance and allow for improved maintenance management. The introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies marked a significant milestone in the human-machine relationship's history. I4.0 was first talked about in 2011. Since then, it has proliferated because of new technologies such as cyber-physical systems, IT/OT convergence, AI/ML, Blockchain, and AR/VR.
Data is at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the main reasons behind this. The IoT is making a significant contribution in making businesses smarter and improving their workflows. Moreover, more data is being made and used by connected devices than ever before, from the home to the factory.
In order to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution, businesses must embrace new technologies. The general structure of IIoT applications is defined by standards-based industrial system architectures such as the Industrial Internet Consortium's Reference Architecture. Sensors and IoT devices, IoT middleware platforms, IoT gateways, edge/cloud infrastructures, and analytics applications are all part of the stack.
The Future of the IIoT
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is primarily regarded as one of the most significant current and future trends influencing industrial companies.
To comply with new rules, industries are rushing to upgrade their systems, machinery, and equipment. This is necessary to keep up with market volatility and deal with disruptive technologies.
Safety, efficiency, and profitability have all improved dramatically in industries that have adopted IIoT. As IIoT technologies become more widely adopted, this tendency is projected to continue.
Conclusion
The fourth industrial revolution has drastically altered our perceptions of things in the workplace. At a rapid rate, capitalists are becoming more interested in sophisticated ideas.
The way forward is to embrace existing and emerging technology throughout fundamental operations to unleash more enticing possibilities. It emphasizes the importance of comprehending the impact collaborative ecosystems can have as well as how they will become a major differentiator for generating value with a better-trained workforce.
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