10 Key Vulnerabilities That Make IoT Devices Prone to Attacks

The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming more common—from regular people to big companies and industries. The increasing number of connected IoT devices creates many possibilities. Still, it also carries significant risks of cybersecurity for businesses and users.

When a device is vulnerable, it's easy for cybercriminals to break into it and access the connected networks. This allows them to steal important company information and user login details.

So, organizations need to know how to protect IoT devices and understand common vulnerabilities.

Most IoT devices cannot defend against cyber threats unless they use an IoT platform with in-built security features. Hackers can find weaknesses and use the devices to launch more advanced cyberattacks.

What Are Some Common Threats for IoT Devices?

Let’s look at some of the usual threats to IoT devices:

• Limited computing power and hardware: IoT devices cannot process information, so there's little space for solid data protection and security. For example, running software solutions that require more computing power without robust hardware isn't easy. This makes it easier for cyberattacks to succeed.
• Different ways of connecting: IoT devices use various methods to transmit data, which makes it challenging to implement effective security measures and protocols. Some common communication methods IoT devices use include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Each method has advantages and limitations regarding range, data transfer speed, power consumption, and compatibility with other devices.
• Vulnerable parts: The essential components of IoT devices like sensors, processors, cellular networks, wi-fi access, communication protocols, and data storage devices are often easy to attack. This means that millions of smart devices are left open to hackers.
• Users not being aware of security: One of the biggest threats to organizations is their users. People don't know much about security and don't follow best practices like secure passwords, updates, and restricted access. This makes IoT devices vulnerable to attacks.

How Do IoT Device Vulnerabilities Affect Businesses?

Many hackers and notorious elements on the internet search for weaknesses in IoT devices to attack individuals and organizations.

Here are some examples of how these vulnerabilities can affect users:

Botnets

Cybercriminals create extensive networks of infected devices, like routers and servers, called botnets. They use these botnets to launch massive cyberattacks, like ones that overload websites and services.

As the IoT grows, botnets can become an even more significant threat. Attackers might use a unique technology to connect devices without a central server. This makes it hard to stop them from causing harm.

Moving through networks

Once hackers access a vulnerable device, they try to go deeper into corporate networks. They find a weakness in one device, then use it to reach essential data and spread malware to other devices.

Home devices

IoT is all around our homes through smart appliances, digital assistants, and health trackers. If one of these devices is vulnerable, it can become an entry point for hackers to get into other devices on the home network. This could include laptops and computers used for work. Hackers might also be able to access corporate networks if they get into work devices.

Problems with existing devices

Attackers can target IoT devices that are already known to have issues. Once they get in, they can launch attacks that steal data from networks and devices connected to home or corporate networks. One type of attack they might use is called a Domain Name System (DNS) rebinding attack.

We must be aware of these vulnerabilities and protect ourselves and our devices.

How Does the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020 Help Businesses?

To ensure that federal agencies and services are protected from the risks of IoT devices, the U.S. government passed the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act, in 2020.

This law tells NIST to create cybersecurity rules for connected devices that federal agencies buy and use.

According to the law, NIST will make standards and guidelines for federal agencies to follow when they use IoT devices connected to their networks. These guidelines will include the minimum security requirements to manage the risks that come with these devices.

The law also says that federal agencies can't buy or use an IoT device that doesn't follow the rules set by NIST.

In response to this law, NIST made four new documents:

• SP 800-213, IoT Device Cybersecurity Guidance for the Federal Government: This document sets the requirements for cybersecurity in IoT devices that federal agencies use.
• NISTIR 8259B, IoT Non-technical Supporting Capability Core Baseline: This document provides support and guidelines for IoT device cybersecurity.
• NISTIR 8259C, Creating a Profile Using the IoT Core Baseline and Non-Technical Baseline: This document helps agencies create a cybersecurity profile for their IoT devices.
• NISTIR 8259D, Profile Using the IoT Core Baseline and Non-Technical Baseline for the Federal Government: This document shows federal agencies how to use the cybersecurity profile for their IoT devices.

These documents aim to create a standard set of cybersecurity rules that the government and IoT device makers follow when federal agencies buy and use IoT devices.

Similarly, The European Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is a set of rules that helps prepare Europe for cyber threats and attacks. It focuses on improving the ability to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from such incidents.

For example, each European Union (EU) country creates its cybersecurity plan under the CRA. It appoints a responsible authority to handle cybersecurity matters. These authorities work together and share information to understand better and tackle cyber threats.

The CRA also encourages partnerships between governments and private companies to strengthen cybersecurity. They can share knowledge, resources, and strategies to protect against cyberattacks by working together.

Overall, these regulations aim to restrict cyber threats by improving cooperation, sharing information, and setting common standards for cybersecurity.

What Are the Top IoT Vulnerabilities for Businesses?

People have been worried about the security of Internet of Things (IoT) devices for a long time. Everyone, from the companies making the devices to the people using them, is concerned that their devices could be hacked.

So, what are the main problems and vulnerabilities to avoid when creating, using, or managing IoT systems? And more importantly, what can we do to reduce these issues?

Here is a list of IoT vulnerabilities businesses should know to make better security decisions when creating, using, or checking IoT technologies.

1. Vulnerable Network Services: Putting Your Network at Risk

When network services aren't secure, unauthorized people can access them and cause harm. It's essential to ensure that network services are protected and only accessible to trusted users.

2. Easy-to-Crack Passwords: A Welcome Mat for Hackers

Using passwords that are easy to guess or too simple makes it easy for hackers to break into devices or accounts. It's important to use strong and unique passwords to keep things safe.

3. Flawed Ecosystem Interfaces: Opening Doors to Unauthorized Access

Ecosystem interfaces are ways that different devices or systems connect and work together. Hackers can exploit these interfaces and potentially gain control over multiple devices if these interfaces are not secure. It's important to have secure interfaces to protect our devices and systems.

4. Missing Secure Updates: Leaving Your Devices Defenseless

When a device doesn't have a secure way to update its software, it can't fix any vulnerabilities or bugs. This makes it easier for hackers to exploit the device. Devices need to have a safe and reliable way to update their software.

5. Using Unsecure or Outdated Components: Playing with Fire

If a device uses parts or software that are not secure or old and outdated, it becomes easier for hackers to find weaknesses and break into the device. It's important to use secure and up-to-date components to keep devices protected.

6. Insufficient Privacy Protection: Your Personal Information at Stake

Privacy is about keeping personal information safe and private. When devices don't have enough protection for privacy, unauthorized people can easily access personal information. Devices must have strong privacy measures to protect our personal information.

7. Risky Data Transfer and Storage: Keeping Secrets Unsafe

When data is transferred or stored insecurely, others can easily access and steal it. It's vital to keep data safe during transfer and when stored.

8. Neglecting Device Management: Losing Control of Your IoT Devices

Device management means tracking and controlling devices to ensure they are secure and working correctly. If devices are not managed well, it becomes easier for hackers to attack them. It's important to have good device management to keep devices safe.

9. Insecure Default Settings: A Breach Waiting to Happen

Default settings are the initial settings that come with a device. If these settings are not secure, the device is easier to hack. It's important to have secure default settings to protect the device from the start.

10. Overlooking Physical Hardening: Leaving Devices Vulnerable to Physical Attacks

Physical hardening means making a device physically secure. If a device is not physically secure, it can be easier for someone to access it and cause harm physically. It's important to make sure devices are physically protected to keep them safe from attacks.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it is crucial to understand the vulnerabilities of IoT devices and take steps to protect them. IoT devices can be easily targeted by cybercriminals, putting sensitive data at risk.

You can address these vulnerabilities by incorporating a robust IoT platform into your technology stack that offers strong security measures and can enhance the overall security of IoT devices and protect them from cyber threats.

Stop IoT Vulnerabilities in Their Tracks With Bytebeam

Bytebeam is an IoT platform designed to make things easier and more secure for businesses. It helps different industries by providing customized solutions that improve how they work.

There are several valuable features in Bytebeam. For example, you can update the software on your devices without physically touching them. This makes it faster and more convenient to keep your devices updated.

You can monitor your devices in real-time, checking their performance and health with real-time device monitoring. This helps you quickly identify any issues and keep everything running smoothly.

Bytebeam uses strong encryption and access controls to keep your data safe. The platform follows industry standards to make sure its security measures are reliable.

The platform is designed to be user-friendly, offering support for different programming languages and providing plenty of learning resources.

In a nutshell, Bytebeam is versatile, meaning it can handle both simple and complex IoT projects. So, whether you have a small or large operation, Bytebeam can help you manage your devices effectively.

Want to learn more about Bytebeam and how it can benefit your business? Schedule a demo with our experts today.