How To Choose Enterprise IoT Security Solutions

The number of IoT devices will only continue to increase. Hence it is crucial to improve the security posture of IoT devices, which can be attractive gateways for hackers and cyber attackers. Keijo Mononen, GM security solutions, technologies and new businesses, Ericsson, shares critical takeaways enterprises need to know when selecting IoT security solutions.

As the number of IoT connections continues to balloon, security risks simultaneously increase, and security needs to be top of mind. IoT devices are projected to reach 26 billionOpens a new window by 2026, with 5 billion of those devices utilizing cellular connectivity. It’s also important to realize that IoT isn’t just a multitude of devices but rather an incredibly complex ecosystem. And like any functioning ecosystem, security needs to be appropriately addressed upfront and managed throughout the IoT service lifecycle.

The rollout of 5G networks is enabling a diverse set of new IoT use cases, including mission-critical industries and public safety services. While the vision of an IoT world presents a world of fascinating possibilities, smart homes, cities, farms, factories and cars, achieving that vision relies on our ability to secure IoT services. 

The IoT service market can be very fragmented, and if security is not managed well, IoT services will not be secure enough. The consequences of insufficient IoT security include operational downtime, compromised consumer data, excess cost and even damage to a company’s brand identity. 

To gain a better understanding of IoT security and how it can work for your enterprise and public entities, there are a few critical takeaways outlined below to consider when selecting IoT security solutions in today’s burgeoning 5G world.

See More: IoT Security: The Elephant in the Room

Match Security With Business Need

Secure does not mean definitively protected, it is about managing security risks, knowing that you have the needed security and privacy for your business. Deployment of IoT services is complex, involving third-party service providers, multi-cloud and connectivity. Security solutions can be expensive, and what is deemed the “best” security solution may not be the best if it interferes with business objectives for the IoT service providers. Understanding the business context while performing security risk assessment enables you to identify and design protective and detective security controls for the entire IoT service life cycle. Appropriate security management in relation to the business context is the leading star.

A good starting point is to have protective security controls in place at any time in the IoT lifetime life cycle. Unwanted breaches are deterred when detection capabilities are enhanced. Through precise and appropriate security monitoring, valuable information can be obtained, and security threats can be spotted and mitigated before a cyberattack will have a business impact. Ensuring the security of IoT service is not easy in terms of cost and capability limitations. Security risks are avoided by consistently managing and securing networks with protection, detection, and responding as the priority.

In addition, examining the pros and cons of cost and performance is critical when determining the best IoT security options. Potential damages of a security breach can have severe financial implications. A security-first approach should be considered an investment for long-term risk mitigation. Comprehending the costs associated with deterring these attacks is paramount. 

As the enterprise business continues to evolve, security solutions must also evolve, adapt, scale, and flex along with the enterprise business. The number of IoT’s thousands of devices connecting to a network will only continue to increase. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial building blocks from the beginning to prepare for an inevitably changing landscape filled with new security threats.  

See More: 6 Cybersecurity Questions About an Increasingly Ubiquitous IoT

Automate for Success

Automation is critical to responding to cyberattack risks and IoT security collectively. Security automation is about the automation of the security process of protecting, detecting, and responding. Automation makes it possible to scale for IoT service in a mass volume environment and is the only option for cost-effective security management for IoT services.  Automation also significantly reduces human errors.

Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning are becoming essential to efficiency and productivity, in addition to enabling enterprise security teams to manage new threats that could emerge on the horizon. In the future, these technologies should also evolve with the landscape and assist in keeping up with new threats. Looking toward the future, there will be an increase in viable IoT solutions that will have the capability to continually detect and combat new security threats earlier than ever before.  

Emphasize Visibility and UX for Keeping Security in Control

Innovative security solutions need to support the security process needed by the IoT Service business and help to keep security in control at all times. 

Enterprises may not have a dedicated team to manage said solution, however. As a result, IoT security solutions are best when they are as user-friendly as possible. Steep learning curves exist even for seasoned IT professionals. It is beneficial to all when there is a well-thought-out user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design to easily and properly utilize security tools. 

For efficiency, a single view dashboard gives enterprise security teams a 360-degree view of security status, allowing them to protect, detect, and respond to security risks appropriately. An optimal UX serves as an in-built consultant guiding the user on what needs to be prioritized and what action to take whenever needed. These actions can be anything from having the wanted security posture in place, visibility of threats that need immediate actions or if something suspicious is observed, which needs further analysis by a security incident response team. 

See More: The State of IoT Edge Devices and the Case for IoT Security Updates

A 360 Approach To Keep Pace With Threats

The need for IoT security is absolutely essential in an ever-evolving ecosystem. With new threats constantly emerging, IoT security solutions should be at the forefront of combatting new risks. It is also important to note that there is no one size fits all approach to IoT security. IoT security solution options should be examined thoroughly in order to determine how to implement the best solution for your enterprise. As quickly as IoT solutions evolve, so do threats to those systems, and IoT security technologies need to keep pace with novel threats. Consequently, it is critical to understand your IoT security options and how to invest in the technology so that it works for you and not against you.

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