11 Common IoT Devices That Are Vulnerable to Hacking

Internet of Things (IoT) devices play a key role in most companies’ digital transformation journeys – to the point where many of these devices are integrated into critical operations. From televisions and refrigerators to security systems and industrial sensors, IoT devices provide value across the enterprise. Problematically, as organizations integrate these new devices into their networks, they create new security challenges. Unlike laptops and workstations, these new devices often lack the security capabilities that traditional devices have built into them.

To understand the potential risks arising from these technologies, organizations should consider these 11 examples of IoT devices that may be connected to their networks. 

What are IoT devices?

IoT devices are hardware that wirelessly connect to networks, exchanging data between physical locations and an associated application. Typically, these devices can be sorted into a few broad categories:

• Consumer IoT: available home use, like printers or refrigerators
• Commercial IoT: managing buildings and business operations, like lighting, security, or temperature controls
• Industrial IoT (IIoT): creating efficiencies for manufacturing, like predicting maintenance or improving power consumption
• Medical IoT (IoMT): connected medical devices can streamline patient care and enable better monitoring in both clinical and remote settings.

How do IoT devices work?

IoT devices connect to networks so that users can remotely control them. IoT devices typically contain:

• CPU
• Network adapter
• Firmware enabling it to connect to and communicate across networks

Typically, users control the devices through web applications, often accessible via a smartphone. The software enables users to control and configure the devices. Network connectivity is fundamental for:

• Configuring devices, including turning off unnecessary functionalities or connections
• Managing devices, including updating firmware
• Collecting information

11 Common IoT Devices 

While some smart devices seem obvious, others may have connected capabilities that create unintended risks. 

1. Smart TVs

While originally intended as a consumer device, many organizations integrate smart TVs into conference rooms. With integrated voice command functionality, these TVs can be controlled without the need for a remote, making them useful for video conferencing. 

2. Fingerprint Time Clocks

Businesses use fingerprint time clocks to eliminate paper timesheets. By using biometrics, companies improve accuracy and reduce manual processes. The time clock also enhances communication between employees and managers. During clock-in and clock-out periods, employees can answer questions and share workplace tips, allowing managers to provide timely guidance and improve overall workplace management. This dual functionality significantly boosts workforce management by offering reliable data and facilitating direct interaction.

3. Robots

Robots are transforming logistics across different industries. Some examples of bots across multiple sectors include:

• Warehouse operations: identifying routes to improve efficiency for tasks like picking and reshelving
• Retail: improving processing times while maintaining inventory quality control to improve customer experiences
• Transportation: tracking fleets and monitoring goods, like adjusting refrigeration temperatures on delivery trucks

4. Smart Lighting

Smart lighting systems include intelligent street lights with adaptive brightness and capabilities for tracking and fault detection. Organizations can create pre-set schedules for turning lights on and off, enabling them to save energy and reduce electricity bills. For broader smart security initiatives, smart lighting technologies can improve urban management and public safety. For example, the applications can provide alerts when lights need replacement, enabling better maintenance. 

5. Smart Security

Smart security systems leverage IoT capabilities to connect devices like cameras and motion sensors, providing real-time notifications about security events. Motion sensors detect changes and trigger alarms, enabling physical security teams to respond to potential incidents faster. IoT-enabled systems can also perform automated actions like locking doors or turning on lights, acting as additional deterrents for potential criminals. 

6. Smart Thermostats

Organizations use smart thermostats to remotely monitor and manage a commercial building’s environment. By linking the thermostat system to the cloud, users can make adjustments based on data that the IoT devices generate. By allowing organizations to set schedules for managing heating and cooling systems, these smart devices reduce energy consumption and utility bills while maintaining a comfortable working environment. 

7. Sensors for Equipment Monitoring

IoT devices provide real-time data and analysis for monitoring operational technology. By regulating and overseeing machinery, these IIoT devices enable manufacturers to: 

• Implement proactive maintenance schedules that improve efficiency and reduce downtime
• Improve quality assurance by testing product quality on assembly lines for consistent outputs
• Monitor the environment to maintain optimal operating conditions, like temperature or humidity
• Enhance asset management by providing real-time location data for equipment and vehicles in storage facilities

8. Autonomous Tractors

Autonomous tractors automate farm operations by employing telematics technology to detect mechanical issues. These tractors enable various benefits including:

• Predictive maintenance to minimize downtime 
• Enhanced efficiency using data about soil conditions and crop health 
• Reduced manual labor requirements since a single operator can manage an entire fleet of vehicles

9. Chiller Monitoring Devices

Connected chillers use IoT technology to monitor and analyze building equipment to maintain performance. Chiller monitors can be used for:

• HVAC systems: ensuring that air conditioning works as intended
• Mechanical equipment rooms: detecting refrigerant gas leaks 

Connected chillers allow organizations to achieve significant energy savings and utilize equipment more effectively. Consequently, these devices enhance sustainability initiatives by promoting energy-efficient practices and reducing overall environmental impact.

10. Smart Traffic Lights

Smart traffic lights optimize the timing of red and green lights to reduce vehicle idle time at intersections. They use IoT technology to:

• Monitor real-time traffic conditions
• Adjust signals to improve traffic flows and reduce congestion
• Synchronize with emergency vehicles for improved incident response

11. Smart Water Management

These water management systems use IoT sensors to monitor and maintain efficient and sustainable water use. Municipalities gain various benefits, including:

• Optimizing water usage for water-intensive industries
• Monitoring water quality for pollution or disease
• Predicting maintenance needs to avoid breakage, leakage, or equipment downtime

Why IoT Device Security Matters

Across all industries, IoT devices collect data and enable organizations to improve operations. As industries themselves become more interconnected, a security incident within one can have a ripple effect across others. Further, many of these devices control how machines interact with people, increasing the potential physical harm that attackers can cause. Prioritizing secure IoT devices enables organizations to better reduce their overall risk and prevent devices from being compromised by attackers.

To help improve IoT security, organizations should consider these best practices:

• Identify, classify, and inventory all IoT devices: a comprehensive IoT asset inventory includes information like manufacturer, model, serial number, operating system, and software and firmware versions
• Conduct a risk assessment: regularly evaluate the potential likelihood of and impact from a security incident that starts with an IoT device
• Segment and microsegment networks: place IoT devices with similar risk profiles on the same network to improve monitoring
• Harden devices and maintain secure configurations: change default settings, like usernames and passwords, and remove unnecessary functionalities
• Identify vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation activities: scan for vulnerabilities using passive-scanning technologies then incorporate threat intelligence to identify high-risk devices based on exploitability and current attack methodologies
• Monitor for anomalous behavior: Create baselines for IoT network communications and monitor for unusual device behavior that can indicate compromise, like connecting to an abnormal source that could be a command and control (C2) server 
• Develop IoT-focused incident response plans: Implement and test incident response procedures specific to IoT-related security incidents, including how to collect forensic data

Asimily: Purpose-Build IoT Device Security

The Asimily platform is designed expressly with IoT devices in mind. It’s built to monitor traffic to and from IoT sensors and other connected devices in addition to surfacing anomalous behavior that might indicate an attack in progress. 

With the Asimily platform, you get security insights derived from datasets that include  EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System), Software Bills of Material (SBOMs), Common Vulnerability and Exposure (CVE) lists using the MITRE ATT&CK Framework. Our platform then suggests remediation strategies, including vulnerabilities to prioritize patching and non-patching actions that help you lock down your devices. To learn more about Asimily, download our IoT Device Security in 2024: The High Cost of Doing Nothing whitepaper or contact us today.