The Internet of Things (IoT) has become an essential part of our daily lives, offering new levels of convenience, efficiency, and connectivity. Currently, it finds many new applications in smart city and big data. The Industry 4.0 has pushed forth an era of hyper connectivity, hyper-intelligence and hyper-convergence and the developments in the field of mobile internet of things (M-IoT) is one towering example of that. The internet of things has successfully established a new networking paradigm where various devices, sensors and actuators are capable of communicating, making way for smart devices.
The typical IoT applications are rooted in its ability to collect, understand and converse with a user’s life rather intimately. IoT connected devices are capable of collecting and transmitting tons of private data which can be misused in the wrong hands.
However, the growth of IoT has also led to increasing concerns regarding the security of connected devices and the data they collect, store, and transmit. The recent advancements in IoT security have aimed to address these concerns and provide reliable, stable, and secure IoT systems.
IoT and the areas of application
Internet of Things (IoT) has evolved tremendously since its inception in 1999 (the word ‘Internet of Things’ was coined by Kevin Ashton who founded the MIT Auto-Id Centre) and with approx. 15B of connected devices at present, Internet of Things has truly become the internet of everything.
The idea of ‘connected devices’ has become so pervasive that IoT application has become mainstream now. From smart homes, smart lighting, smart devices, smart appliances, to smart cities, offices, smart healthcare, smart education, and smart transportation etc. IoT is everywhere.
In businesses such as retail, supply chain and logistics and manufacturing, IoT has enabled a great degree of convenience and visibility when it comes to tracking things. With data gathering at every level, IoT has successfully optimized business processes and enabled data driven decision making.
The latest advancements in IoT security
IoT security has become increasingly important given the focus on data security, privacy and customer experience and the latest advancements are poised to achieve that. Technologies like Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, cloud computing and security etc., have successfully demonstrated that securing data from hacking and misuse is possible now.
Blockchain for IoT Security
Blockchain technology provides a secure and decentralized ledger for storing data, which makes it highly resistant to hacking attempts. It allows for secure peer-to-peer communication among IoT devices and can help to mitigate security breaches, reduce the risk of cyberattacks and ensure the integrity, and authenticity of IoT data.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer another major development in IoT security when it comes to detecting potential threats and mitigating risks.
AI/ML algorithms can analyze patterns, behavior and identify potential security threats in real-time, providing insights and actionable recommendations to system administrators. This not only enables quick preventive actions but also acts as a deterrent.
IoT Security with Cloud Computing
IoT security is also becoming increasingly integrated with cloud computing technology. Cloud computing allows firms to outsource their IT responsibilities and processes and focus only on their business. With cloud platforms like Google cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure, IoT developers can converge servers to enable secure sharing of resources.
With cloud computing services, developers can easily deploy scalable security solutions to address the unique challenges of IoT and organizations can leverage cloud-based security solutions to achieve greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness, and scalability to protect their resources against emerging threats.
End-to-End Encryption with Digital Security Certificates
Another significant advancement in IoT security is the use of Digital Certificates. Digital certificates like SSL and TLS are files that prove the authenticity of a server, device or user with the use of PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) and cryptography.
It allows IoT devices to authenticate their identities and validate their communication with each other. It also provides end-to-end encryption of data in transit, ensuring confidentiality, privacy, and integrity.
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
Various security standards for IoT devices have been established as well. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has developed several standards and protocols aimed at standardizing communication between IoT devices and ensuring their security.
Implementation of these security standards ensures that IoT devices are designed, developed, and maintained with security in mind.
To conclude, the rapid deployment of connected devices and the continued growth of IoT applications have led to an increasing need for the security of the entire IoT ecosystem and with the growth of IoT security, companies must invest in the latest advancements in IoT security just to keep up.
By implementing robust security measures, such as Blockchain, AI/ML, Cloud Computing, Digital Certificates, and Standards, organizations can ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data on the IoT network.
Disclaimer: The information presented here is for general information purposes only and true to best of our understanding. Users are requested to use any information as per their own understanding and knowledge. Before using any of the information, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
