Internet of Things Security: Issues & Solutions for Diverse Sectors
The Internet of Things (IoT) is driving an industrial revolution, particularly across industries such as healthcare, agriculture, industrial systems, and smart cities. However, the opportunities brought by IoT come with significant risks.
Learn more about the challenges of IoT security and the best strategies for your industry, whether you’re a large private organization or a public sector institution. Explore our solutions for minimizing costs, protecting personal data, and securing your connected systems.
Internet of Things (IoT): a Catalyst for Transformation, but also Risks
With every connected device, an organization’s attack surface expands. As security risks grow, calling on a professional IoT cybersecurity service becomes crucial to ensuring the protection of your embedded systems and connected objects.
The diversity of IoT applications, from smartwatches to connected cars and comprehensive intelligent city infrastructures, complicates the process of securing IoT.
With over 15 billion devices connected to the Internet in 2023, with projections exceeding 18.8 billion by the end of 2024, security is a significant issue for large organizations and the public sector.
Did You Know?
Cyberattacks on IoT increased by 400% between 2023 and 2022. If this tangent is anything to go by, organizations’ cybersecurity needs will only increase.
IoT & OT Services Tailored to Your Industry
Take advantage of our IoT service to strengthen your posture with a solution tailored to your organization.
Biggest Risk in Internet of Things Security
The greatest threat lies in the exploitation of security vulnerabilities in your connected devices. Hackers and cybercriminals target IOT systems to remotely control critical infrastructure, such as industrial systems, medical devices and smart city networks.
In 2024, the average cost of IoT data breaches is over US$4 million, and the highest-cost sector is healthcare, with an average cost reaching US$9.77 million per incident.
Keep Your Medical Devices Secure
Enjoy Victrix’s comprehensive cybersecurity services designed exclusively for the healthcare sector. Secure your connected objects and IoT systems against hacking with our cybersecurity experts.
Top 3 Internet of Things Security Challenges
Update Management Gaps:
Too many public and private organizations neglect software updates and patches, leaving devices vulnerable over time.
Lack of Standardization or Compliance:
Different industries face inconsistent or absent security standards, complicating the integration of security solutions for IoT. For others, the complexity of complying with privacy standards makes securing IoT a real challenge.
Network Security Complexity:
The more connected devices your organization has, the more difficult it is to secure your entire system. Adding new devices to existing infrastructures also complicates the process of connecting and securing these new devices.
5 Strategic Solutions to Reduce IoT Risk in the Public and Private Sector
1. Ensuring the Security of Connected Devices
Adopt Internet of Things solutions tailored to your sector’s needs. The Internet of Things in business differs greatly from the IoT in a hospital or smart city.
2. Network Segmentation
Implementing segmentation for different device groups helps limit potential impacts of intrusions.
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3. Auditing
We recommend that you engage cybersecurity experts to conduct a complete cybersecurity audit of your infrastructure and identify vulnerabilities that need to be corrected.
5. Investing in Training
An alert team is invaluable to organizations. Promoting awareness of cybersecurity in businesses and public sectors is one of the best ways to ensure the security of your information systems and connected devices. After all, most cyber attacks involve people. By investing in training your human capital, you can ensure a more cyber secure future.
4. Adopting the Highest Compliance Frameworks
Victrix can help you comply with security standards such as DORA regulations in the European Union and Law 25 in Quebec. We are also ISO 27001 certified.
Healthcare Internet of Things
A cyber attack on the Internet of Medical Things is sometimes a risk of life and death. A cybersecurity firm specializing in healthcare cybersecurity revealed a study that reported that over 53% of connected medical devices in hospitals had critical vulnerabilities. These smart devices vulnerable to cyberattacks include:
- Connected insulin pumps
- Intracardiac defibrillators
- Mobile cardiac telemetry
- Pacemakers
- Intrathecal pain pumps
Malicious actors can compromise these medical devices to cause them to give inaccurate readings and amounts of data, administer drug overdoses and put patients’ health at risk.
IoT for Smart Cities
Cities use IoT to manage energy networks, traffic lights and public transport. A cyberattack on these infrastructures could lead to major paralysis.
Industrial Internet of Things
IoT systems embedded in plants guarantee high operational efficiency and make collecting data in real time easier. However, this connectivity exposes production and supply chains to costly interruptions in the event of intrusion.
Maximize the Potential of IoT While Protecting Your Cybersecurity
Victrix is here to help you reap the benefits of IoT as a driver of innovation without exposing you to the risks it brings. Be ready to take control of your connected objects with an IoT service that meets the needs of your industry.
