What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things IoT is a network of networks that allows, via standardized and unified electronic identification systems and mobile wireless devices, to directly and unambiguously identify digital entities and physical objects, and thus to be able to retrieve, store, transfer, and process the related data seamlessly between the physical and virtual worlds.
The Internet of Things, or IoT for the Internet of Things, is primarily a concept and not a specific technology or device. The Internet of Things is the will is to extend the Internet network and thus the data exchanges to the objects of the physical world.
But these objects connected to the internet can take the form of an everyday object: for example, the car connected, the watch connected, the glasses connected, etc.
As the IoT is growing, the list of connected objects is very extensive and is constantly growing.
A connected object has the peculiarity that it does not function autonomously but is able to communicate and transmit information with other connected objects.
Connected objects are also called intelligent objects, because it is a question of machine-to-machine communication without the need for a human as an intermediary, and this is the biggest change! since until now computers and therefore the internet needed humans to supply it with data.
Today, the Internet of Things is a bridge between the physical world and the virtual world.
Imagine: you come home after work, you are stressed your heart rate will be higher so your connected watch will transmit this information to the different connected objects Your connected radio will then decide to put on soft music to relax, Your phone can switch to do not disturb mode, Then the temperature of your apartment will also adapt with information on the weather outside, and the interior lighting of your apartment will adapt according to the brightness outside.
The purpose of the connected objects is to adapt not only to your needs but also to your environment.
Each connected object has a standardized digital identity, such as an IP address for example, possible via a wireless communication system (RFID chip, Bluetooth, wifi...) Finally, these objects are equipped with sensors: it is these sensors that retrieve the information.
Personal data
Indeed, connected objects produce large amounts of data, and processing this mass of data involves new concerns, particularly around data confidentiality and security.
The security of the IoT has come under scrutiny after a number of high-profile incidents in which a common IoT device was used to infiltrate and attack the wider network. The implementation of security measures is essential to ensure the security of the networks to which IoT devices are connected.
IoT Security Challenges
There are a number of challenges to securing IoT devices, and end-to-end security in an IoT environment.
Because the idea of network devices and other objects is relatively new, security has not always been considered a top priority during the design phase of a product.
Moreover, as IoT is a nascent market, many product designers and manufacturers are more interested in getting their products to market quicker than in taking the necessary steps to enhance security from the outset.
A major problem cited with IoT security is the use of hard-coded passwords. "Hard-coding passwords" is the use of unencrypted (plain text) passwords and other secret data (such as private keys) in the source code.
This can lead to "hard-coding" passwords, or default passwords, which can lead to security breaches.
Even if passwords are changed, they are often not strong enough to prevent infiltration.
Another common problem with IoT devices is that they are often resource-limited and do not contain the computing resources needed to implement enhanced security.
IoT security also suffers from a lack of industry-accepted standards. Although there are many IoT security frameworks, there is no single agreed framework.
Large companies and industry organizations may have their own specific standards, while some segments, such as the industrial IoT, have proprietary and incompatible standards from industry leaders.
The variety of these standards makes it difficult not only to secure systems but also to ensure their interoperability.
The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) networks has created a number of challenges for security teams, particularly those responsible for system protection and end-to-end security in areas outside their area of expertise.
Integration of safety in design
IoT developers should include security at the beginning of any consumer, professional or industrial device development. Enabling default security is essential while providing the latest operating systems and using secure hardware.
Internet security.
Protecting an IoT network includes ensuring port security, disabling port forwarding and never opening ports when not needed, using anti-malware, firewalls and intrusion detection/intrusion prevention systems, blocking unauthorized IP addresses, and ensuring systems are patched and up to date.
Consumer education
Consumers can also play a role by forcing device manufacturers to create safe devices and refusing to use those that do not meet high safety standards.
EmoticonEmoticon