IoT Security: Navigating the Challenges of a Connected World

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become integral to our daily lives and business operations. As the number of connected devices continues to grow exponentially, so do the cybersecurity risks associated with them. In this deep dive, we’ll dig into the broad-reaching effects of IoT infrastructure, common IoT cybersecurity concerns, and key tactics for mitigating IoT risk.

The IoT Security Landscape

The proliferation of IoT devices has created a vast and complex ecosystem that presents unique security challenges. The number of IoT devices globally is expected to reach 18.8 billion by the end of 2024. In no way a monolith, IoT devices range from smart home appliances to industrial control systems; the sheer diversity of IoT devices makes securing them a daunting task. Organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure, are increasingly relying on IoT technology to enhance efficiency and productivity. For example, IoT devices in healthcare such as heart rate monitors help to improve the quality of care for patients.  However, this reliance also exposes them to potential cyber threats that can have severe consequences. What’s more – these devices cannot be secured through traditional cybersecurity methods due to their uniquely critical nature and lack of built-in security. With IoT technology seeded throughout most organizations across nearly every industry, addressing the challenges of securing IoT must stem from the key gaps in cybersecurity infrastructure many organizations currently face.

Key IoT Security Challenges & Solutions

IoT technology often sits at the intersection of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). OT systems, such as distributed control systems or programmable logic controllers leverage IoT sensors to gather real-time data on equipment performance or other operational factors. From there, the IoT technology can communicate that data to IT systems with the processing power to interpret and action the data. The complexity of these environments leads to specific IoT security challenges that organizations must address.

1. Lack of Visibility

One of the most significant hurdles in IoT security is the lack of visibility into the full scope of connected devices within an organization’s network. Many IoT devices operate as “shadow IT,” meaning they are connected to the network without the knowledge or approval of the IT department. This lack of visibility creates security blind spots that can be exploited by malicious actors. 

2. Access Control and Authorization

Proper access control and authorization are crucial for maintaining the security of IoT devices. Each device has a unique identifier that it shares on the network, and determining the appropriate level of access for each device is essential to prevent unauthorized access and potential lateral movement by attackers. Asimily’s platform incorporates robust access control mechanisms that allow organizations to define and enforce granular access policies for their IoT devices. This helps prevent scenarios like the 2017 Las Vegas casino hack, where attackers gained initial access through a fish tank thermometer and subsequently moved laterally to compromise more critical systems.

3. Configuration Drift

Configuration drift is a significant security concern for IoT devices. Over time, device configurations can change due to updates, repairs, or unauthorized modifications, potentially introducing vulnerabilities or opening security gaps. This drift can occur gradually and often goes unnoticed, leaving devices exposed to potential attacks.

Asimily’s Configuration Control module addresses this challenge by creating and storing snapshots of known good device states. This feature allows organizations to:

• Instantly identify unauthorized changes
• Quickly revert to secure configurations
• Maintain a robust security posture over time

By implementing configuration control, organizations can effectively combat the security risks associated with configuration drift and ensure their IoT devices remain in a secure state.

4. Vulnerability Management

IoT devices often have long lifecycles and may not receive regular security updates, leaving them vulnerable to known exploits. Identifying and prioritizing vulnerabilities across a diverse IoT ecosystem can be overwhelming for security teams.

Asimily’s platform provides advanced vulnerability management capabilities, including:

• SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) harvesting for prioritized vulnerability lists
• Unique Impact, Likelihood, and Utilization analyses to focus on the most critical risks
• Remediation recommendations tailored to each device and network configuration

This approach allows organizations to allocate their limited security resources more effectively, addressing the most pressing vulnerabilities first.

5. Anomalous Behavior Detection

Detecting threats in an IoT environment requires a deep understanding of each device’s expected behavior and network interactions. Traditional security solutions often struggle to differentiate between normal and anomalous behavior in IoT devices due to their diverse nature and specialized functions.

Asimily’s anomalous behavior detection capabilities leverage machine learning and advanced analytics to establish baseline behavior for each IoT device. This allows security teams to quickly identify and respond to potential security incidents, significantly reducing the time attackers can remain undetected within the network.

Common IoT Security Attacks and Types of IoT Malware

As organizations struggle with IoT security, malicious actors use traditional attack methods in new ways and create IoT-focused malware variants. Some examples of famous IoT attacks include:

• Mirai botnet: installed malware executed an attack against Dyn, an internet performance management company, disrupting major services, including CNN, Netflix, and Twitter
• Verkada: targeting the cloud-based video surveillance service to gain access to live feeds for 150,000 cameras using publicly available administrative account credentials
• Lappeenranta: launching a DDoS attack against the Finnish city forced heating systems to reboot and prevented heat from turning on 
• Jeep SUV: security researchers controlling a vehicle using the Sprint cellular network and a firmware vulnerability
• Stuxnet: targeting uranium plant in Iran that was running Step7 on Windows to gain access to the industrial program logic controllers

Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

During DoS and DDoS attacks, malicious actors overload target systems with high volumes of requests. DDoS attacks consume bandwidth and CPU time, meaning that the target servers are unable to respond to requests. This process disrupts network service, taking devices and resources offline. 

Botnet Attacks

These are related to DoS and DDoS since attackers use malware to control IoT devices then control them to generate the traffic necessary to disrupt the network. IoT devices lack adequate security features as manufacturers often place their focus on functionality. Attackers often exploit default passwords and technical vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to IoT devices. After gaining control, they execute the large-scale DDoS attacks using them. 

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks occur when attackers intercept and alter communication between two systems, potentially accessing sensitive information or disrupting services. Malicious actors typically leverage the following IoT device vulnerabilities as part of these attacks:

• Weak encryption
• Poor authentication
• Insecure network connections

During a MitM attack, malicious actors can:

• Eavesdrop on sensitive data
• Inject malicious content into communications streams
• Impersonate legitimate users

Eavesdropping

Eavesdropping attacks are a type of MiTM methodology where malicious actors exploit weak connections to steal sensitive information. Attackers target poorly secure wireless communication channels between connected devices to “listen” to the data being shared. 

On-path Attacks

A specific form of MitM, an on-path attack occurs when malicious actors insert themselves into data flow, like between an IoT device and the server it talks to. When the IoT device lacks encryption, cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to the sensitive data transmitted, enabling them to manipulate or misrepresent the information exchanged between the devices. 

Credential Attacks

These attacks involve using automated tools to systematically log into various applications with stolen usernames and passwords, aiming to gain unauthorized access. Unlike traditional password cracking, this method doesn’t require guessing; it capitalizes on credential sets already compromised. Malicious actors can deploy three types of credential attacks:

• Brute force: trying various passwords against a single user login ID
• Password spray: trying a known risky password against multiple user login IDs
• Credential stuffing: using a list of compromised login IDs and passwords from one application and trying them in others

Firmware Attacks

Attackers exploit firmware vulnerabilities to insert malicious code into the IoT device’s firmware, enabling them to:

• Install backdoors that they use to gain unauthorized access to networks 
• Alter bootloaders that execute malicious scripts during the boot process

Since many IoT devices incorporate open-source code, they are inherently vulnerable which amplifies the potential for attacks. Additionally, insecure update mechanisms increase the risk that attackers will install unauthorized or malicious code.

Side-Channel Attacks

Side-channel attacks exploit the implementation of cryptographic methods rather than the algorithms themselves. They use information about the device’s operation, like power consumption or electromagnetic emissions. By analyzing the IoT device’s processes, attackers can learn encryption keys or access sensitive data. 

Encryption Attacks

Since many IoT devices lack encryption, attackers can install their algorithms. Additionally, malicious actors can exploit vulnerabilities to deploy the attack. These on-path attacks enable malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to and control of the IoT device. This can compromise critical information, like credentials. 

Social Engineering

Social engineering attacks exploit human behavior to bypass security measures. For example, phishing emails use people’s emotions to trick them into:

• Clicking on a malicious link where they share sensitive information, like credentials
• Downloading a malicious document or file that installs malware on their device

Data and Identity Theft

Unprotected IoT devices can leak personal information, enabling skilled attackers to piece together crucial details about a person and facilitate identity theft. Many IoT devices, especially ones used by healthcare delivery organizations, contain sensitive information about people. When attackers gain unauthorized access to these devices, they can further execute sophisticated identity theft schemes. 

Physical hardware-based attacks

Many IoT devices, such as security cameras and environmental sensors, are placed in public locations, increasing the risk of physical manipulation. Once compromised, attackers can harvest sensitive data, leading to further breaches within the network. These attacks often involve tampering with or taking control of devices, potentially causing them to malfunction or divulge critical information. The threat escalates in environments where IoT devices lack protection in secure areas.

Common IoT Malware Types

Malware attacks on IoT devices involve malicious software designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the hardware or software layers, leading to security compromises or unauthorized data access. 

IoT botnet malware often uses open-source code available in dark web forums, lowering the barrier to entry by making attack deployment easier. By reducing the technical burden, less sophisticated actors can deploy attacks, making them more widespread. Additionally, attackers increasingly crowdsource DDoS attacks, enabling them to reduce attack costs and expand their reach. 

Mirai Malware

Mirai specifically targets smart devices with ARC processors, constructing a botnet controllable for launching DDoS attacks. A significant attack orchestrated by Mirai involved 148,000 IoT devices, reaching a colossal 1.1Tbps. The release of Mirai’s source code spurred infections from 213,000 to 483,000 IoT devices in just two weeks. Although it typically uses GRE IP, SYN, and DNS traffic to cripple targeted sites, newer variants can impact Windows systems. 

BrickerBot

BrickerBot permanently disables IoT devices through PDoS attacks by executing destructive Busybox commands that “bricks” devices, rendering them inoperative. First detected by Radware in 2017, BrickerBot employs the Unix rm command to erase device storage and reconfigure the kernel, leaving the device useless after reboot. A hacker named Janit0r claimed responsibility, targeting manufacturers of poorly secured devices.

Hajime

First identified in 2016, Hajime targets also targets smart devices with ARC processors. While it lacks third-party attacking features, it uses a peer-to-peer communication model. Hajime utilizes the Distributed Hash Table protocol, akin to BitTorrent, to spread via unsecured IoT devices, exploiting their vulnerabilities. 

VPNFilter

VPNFilter is an IoT botnet malware known for long-lasting infections, persisting even after its 2018 dismantling. Primarily targeting network devices like routers, infections often remain undetected by users. 

Ultimately, prevention is key in reducing the likelihood of these attacks occurring. Shockingly, many organizations do not

IoT Security Best Practices

To effectively secure IoT environments, organizations should consider the following best practices:

1. Build and maintain an accurate device inventory: Identify all connected devices then regularly update and validate your IoT asset inventory to ensure complete visibility.
2. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments: Regularly evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of vulnerabilities across your IoT landscape.
3. Implement Network Segmentation and Microsegmentation: Network segmentation has long been a best cybersecurity practice, but it takes on new importance in IoT environments. Microsegmentation takes this concept further by creating even smaller, more granular network segments.
4. Enforce strong access controls: Enforce the principle of least privilege and implement a zero-trust architecture, specific to IoT security.
5. Monitor for configuration drift: Utilize solutions like Asimily’s Configuration Control to maintain secure device configurations over time.
6. Incorporate threat intelligence: Incorporate IoT-specific threat intelligence feeds from manufacturer data to common vulnerability indexes into risk analysis and vulnerability prioritization activities. 
7. Prioritize vulnerability management: Focus on addressing the most critical vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and exploitability within the context of the organization’s network architecture.
8. Enable anomalous behavior detection: Implement solutions that can quickly identify and alert on unusual device behavior, like communications to unusual locations that may indicate an attacker’s command and control (C2) server.
9. Develop incident response plans: Create and regularly test incident response procedures specific to IoT-related security events, ensuring that they include the appropriate forensic data.
10. Stay informed about emerging threats: Keep abreast of the latest IoT security trends and adjust your security strategy accordingly.

Emerging Trends in IoT Security to Consider

AI-Driven Threats and Defenses

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to play an increasingly significant role in both IoT security threats and defenses. On the threat side, AI-generated malicious code and more sophisticated attack techniques pose new challenges for security teams. Conversely, AI and machine learning are also being leveraged to enhance IoT security defenses, enabling more accurate threat detection and faster incident response.

Asimily’s platform incorporates advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to stay ahead of evolving threats and provide proactive security measures for IoT environments – showcasing which vulnerabilities are exploitable and most likely to have a detrimental impact on operations.

Regulatory Compliance

As the IoT landscape matures, regulatory bodies are beginning to implement stricter security standards and compliance requirements for connected devices. Organizations must stay informed about these evolving regulations and ensure their IoT security practices align with industry standards.

Asimily’s comprehensive IoT security solution helps organizations maintain compliance with various regulatory frameworks by providing:

• Detailed device inventories
• Vulnerability assessments
• Configuration management
• Incident response capabilities

Edge Computing and IoT Security

The rise of edge computing in IoT deployments introduces new security considerations. While edge computing can enhance performance and reduce latency, it also distributes data processing and storage across a wider attack surface.

Asimily’s platform is designed to secure IoT devices across distributed environments, including edge computing deployments. By providing comprehensive visibility and security controls at the edge, organizations can maintain a strong security posture across their entire IoT ecosystem.

The Future of IoT Security

As we look towards the future, several trends are likely to shape the IoT security landscape:

1. Increased regulatory scrutiny: Expect more stringent regulations and compliance requirements for IoT device security.
2. AI-driven security solutions: Advanced AI and machine learning will become integral to detecting and mitigating IoT security threats.
3. Zero Trust architectures: The adoption of Zero Trust principles will extend to IoT environments, requiring continuous authentication and authorization.
4. Quantum-resistant cryptography: As quantum computing advances, IoT security solutions will need to implement quantum-resistant encryption methods.
5. Enhanced device security by design: Manufacturers will increasingly prioritize security features in the design and development of IoT devices.

IoT security presents unique challenges that require specialized solutions and a proactive approach. As the number of connected devices continues to grow, organizations must prioritize IoT security to protect their assets, data, and reputation.

Asimily’s comprehensive IoT security platform addresses the key challenges facing organizations today, from device discovery and inventory management to vulnerability prioritization and anomalous behavior detection. By leveraging advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, Asimily empowers organizations to stay ahead of evolving threats and maintain a strong security posture across their IoT ecosystems.

As we move into an increasingly connected future, the importance of robust IoT security cannot be overstated. By implementing best practices and leveraging innovative solutions like those offered by Asimily, organizations can harness the full potential of IoT technology while mitigating the associated risks.

Investing in IoT security today is not just about protecting your current assets; it’s about future-proofing your organization against the evolving threat landscape. With the right approach and tools, you can confidently navigate the complex world of IoT security and drive innovation without compromising on safety and compliance.