Managing Enterprise Security in the IoT Age of Connected Devices
Within the last decade, we have witnessed an explosion in connected devices and IoT technologies ranging from smart homes to drones and even autonomous bots. As device manufacturers, application developers and service providers strive to make everything smarter and more connected, cybercriminals and hackers are taking full advantage of the new opportunities. A huge array of IoT devices open numerous entry points into enterprise networks and make businesses even more vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches.
According to a Gartner report, there will be over 20 billion IoT devices by 2020, as enterprises rapidly adopt connected devices for better process control and to improve their bottom and top line growth. Billions of connected devices will revolutionize how data is processed and consumed, but the associated security risks for businesses should not be underestimated.
Imagine a SMART bulb or HVAC unit in a secure network operation center beaconing its own radio protocol. Connected devices, like these, provide a stepping stone for an attacker, sitting in the parking lot or building, that may allow access to an otherwise secure environment. Because traditional security controls and network security devices are not designed to detect and mitigate these types of threats, IoT devices pose a serious risk to enterprise infrastructure if they aren’t properly managed.