While companies are increasingly interested in Internet of Things (IoT) operations, there are still objections to overcome in bringing such tools in. First among those likely objections is safety, and with good reason. The IoT is a newer technology, and as such, security isn’t always where we’d like it to be. This, however, is an opportunity for the astute to step in and help companies develop a proper IoT security policy, which in turn will leave them a lot more interested in picking up IoT hardware.
How Do I Develop a Proper IoT Security Policy?
Helping companies shore up IoT security improves the chances they’ll bring in IoT period. Here’s how.
Start with the basics. Focus on the endpoints involved in an IoT setup. Here, the various sensors and the like are the security weak points, so shore them up immediately. Only allow them to connect when they’re needed, and use some kind of surveillance—a real person or a camera—near every endpoint to reduce the risk that someone will take advantage of an unguarded point of entry.
Build a separate network. Instead of allowing IoT endpoints to connect to the main network—the one where you keep all the valuable information—instead allow IoT endpoints to connect to their own network. This puts a lot less data at stake, and allows you to just collect necessary data from one central point when it’s needed later on.
Don’t forget the employees. In general, you can protect against a lot of threats by focusing on the employees. These are the people who will be using the network most, so work to instill safe network behaviors like using properly strong passwords, ignoring phishing attacks, and similar common behaviors that remove the most likely avenues of entry for hackers.
Consider automation. Having an automated security process helps improve security overall by spotting problems before they become significant. While we’ve mentioned only allowing systems to connect when they’re needed, some IoT systems will likely be 24 / 7 systems, especially monitoring sensors and the like that gather data well beyond business hours. Thus, having security to match that 24 / 7 operation is a sound plan.
Where Do I Start in Offering Hardware to Match that IoT Security Policy?
When you’ve got a proper handle on the security, you’ll need the right hardware to back it up. At Innovative Business Solutions, we currently work with over 500 partners nationwide, and in a wide range of different industries. If you’re looking for an IT vendor, a telephone hardware value-added reseller (VAR), or something similar, just drop us a line and let us help you take that IoT security policy to the next level.