Can Zero Trust Work with the IoT?

Data breaches continue to threaten businesses as hackers, banging on laptops halfway around the world, think up devious ways to overcome cybersecurity defenses. One of their latest schemes involves leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) devices to infiltrate business networks.

Since 2018, IoT cyberattacks have risen from 32.7 million to a stunning 112.29 million in 2022. Hackers have basked in the money they have made from IoT-driven ransomware payoffs and selling valuable and confidential digital assets on the Dark Web. If companies are going to effectively insulate their data from cybercriminals, implementing a zero trust IoT security posture ranks among the best solutions.

What is Considered an IoT Device?

An Internet of Things device is essentially a non-conforming type of hardware that can connect to a wireless network. Unlike standard desktops, tablets, phones and other handheld items, connectivity does not necessarily involve straightforward username and password access. Yet, their basic functions include internet-based communication and remote access utilization. These are examples of IoT devices that can serve as a proverbial backdoor for hackers.

• Consumer-Use Devices: This class of IoT devices includes products such as wearables, smart televisions, appliances, thermostats and the adorable Alexa that runs online searches on command and pulls up favorite music playlists. Products such as Amazon’s Echo respond to in-person activity, while others are managed remotely. A handful of devices use basic AI technology to make automated decisions.
• Enterprise-Level Devices: This category of IoT devices involves products that provide business benefits. Often employed to maintain and maximize the efficiency of climate control systems and other aspects of a facility, operations professionals can take advantage of the immersive real-time data they deliver. From any laptop, smartphone or tablet, enterprise-level IoT devices can track inventory and help manage a company’s supply chain.
• Industrial-Grade Devices: Largely designed for manufacturing and other industrial environments, these sensors monitor productivity facets such as assembly lines. They transmit alerts and nuanced data that help plant managers optimize equipment effectiveness. For example, an IoT device may alert supervisors when a conveyor system nears its weight limit. Proactive measures can be taken to ensure it doesn’t exceed capacity, which could otherwise result in a mechanical malfunction. Industrial-grade IoT devices also track the need for preventative maintenance and parts equipment replacement. In this fashion, IoT devices help organizations put the inefficient break-then-fix model in their rearview.

The advantages of IoT have encouraged wide-reaching industries to onboard them at break-neck speed. In 2022, there were a reported 13.8 billion IoT devices in circulation. By year’s end, that figure is expected to exceed 18 billion. Forecasts estimate that IoT devices will hit 39.8 billion in 2033, nearly tripling their number from 2022. It’s important to note that each seemingly useful little device functions through internet connectivity, making it a potential security liability.

What Makes IoT Devices a Cybersecurity Threat?

It’s important to keep in mind that IoT devices are products that form a bridge between physical items using wireless internet. They generally have an integrated CPU, firmware and a network adapter built into them. They typically connect to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server to gain access to an IP address that helps them function on a network.

Although some are only used on virtual private networks or secure in-house routers, it’s not uncommon for users to receive data and make efficiency adjustments via public Wi-Fi. It’s not difficult to see how this sends an operation down the rabbit hole. The interconnectivity of IoT devices raises the following cybersecurity dangers.

• Broadens the Attack Surface: Each time a company adds an IoT device, it effectively introduces another entry point that can be exploited. Hackers no longer need to exhaust themselves trying to overcome determined network cybersecurity. They can seek vulnerable IoT devices and use them as a path to valuable digital assets stored in the network.
• Unsecured Hardware: The exchange of information between IoT gadgets and handheld devices creates an opportunity for cybercriminals to intercept data. Unfortunately, these transmissions are too often not encrypted, rendering them exploitable.
• Shadow IoT: Human error accounts for about 75 percent or more of the data breaches suffered by businesses. Some studies have shown that the number is over 90 percent, and Shadow IoT devices are part of the problem. Employees sync seemingly innocent step counters, smartwatches and others to their phones, laptops and tablets. Those same devices may have been vetted for company use, and IT technicians are unaware that staff members added these IoT devices in the background until it’s too late.
• Firmware Hacking: Firmware ranks among the lowest levels of software sophistication. By that same token, it tells IoT devices what to do and how to interact with a variety of other things. Hackers have strategies to interfere with firmware to such an extent they can waltz into an otherwise secure network. One of the ways cybercriminals overwhelm firmware is by crafting a malicious version that goes undetected.

In terms of the ways that IoT devices pose a risk, these issues are just the tip of the spear. Hackers have a laundry list of methods to infiltrate networks and steal corporate data. Always looking for the path of least resistance, vulnerable IoT devices make cybercrime look easy.

Implementing Zero Trust IoT Protections

The principles of zero trust cybersecurity are ideally suited for shoring up IoT shortcomings. The approach starts with premises that are not inherent to perimeter security measures. Rather than only focusing on deterring threat actors, zero trust insulates sensitive and valuable information even if your network becomes compromised.

It starts with tried-and-true cybersecurity policies such as multi-factor authentication and builds on the idea of allowable use. Endpoint devices undergo vetting and approval, denying access to others. In some cases, geolocation technologies ping smartphones and laptops to determine whether a sophisticated hacker is behind the login attempt.

Once a legitimate user enters the business network, each profile has defined restrictions, known as least privilege access. Staff members enjoy entry to only the digital assets and software applications required to perform specific tasks. Should a hacker learn a username and password and somehow overcome multi-factor authentication, the digital burglar cannot necessarily steal prized data such as personal identity records, financial accounts or intellectual property, among others. Any attempt to exceed these parameters triggers cybersecurity measures to expel the danger.

This approach to comprehensive asset protection works seamlessly to cure many of the vulnerabilities of IoT. That’s largely because zero trust IoT security treats these devices with the same level of suspicion as vetted smartphones, laptops and tablets. These are ways zero trust IoT shields an operation’s central critical data from attack.

Ongoing Device Monitoring

Zero trust defensive tactics don’t push aside perimeter security measures. Instead, zero trust levels them up. Using AI and machine learning automation, approved devices undergo rigorous checks. If a worker syncs the software of important medical hardware to an approved iPad without the knowledge of IT professionals, the tablet gets flagged. In this way, zero trust IoT protections can account for a broad and potentially compromised attack surface.

Device Remediation Requirements

Although human mistakes lead to the majority of data breaches, zero trust IoT architecture provides expansive solutions. Should the same device become a liability because a hacker installed malicious firmware, IoT ransomware or deploy another type of malware, the ongoing security health checks would, again, alert the security team. In some cases, it may deny immediate access until the cybersecurity professionals cure the ill. Only healthy, approved equipment gains unimpeded access.

Of course, zero trust IoT solutions inherit the fallback stance of the architecture. Cybercriminals face an uphill fight to overcome security obstacles, only to find themselves frustrated by internal data segregation. Transitioning to a zero trust model continues to trend high, but industry leaders may need to deal with a variety of adaptation challenges.

Dealing with Zero Trust IoT Challenges

Integrating zero trust principles calls for a thorough assessment of an operation’s entire digital and hardware systems. A managed IT firm with cybersecurity expertise brings together a variety of information to craft an actionable report. The strengths and vulnerabilities are discussed with the company’s leadership team, and a comprehensive zero trust transition plan is implemented. Part of the process involves dealing with challenges such as the following.

• Legacy Devices: Outdated devices may serve a vital purpose, but they crack the door open for hackers to exploit their inherent weaknesses. That’s generally because older IoT options sometimes lack upgradable software. Manufacturers that produced legacy devices did this to cut costs, not realizing these items would be synced to endpoint devices or used in ways hackers could exploit. It may be necessary to either retrofit legacy devices or transition to options with more secure software.
• Compatibility: An effective zero trust security system requires all the moving parts to communicate efficiently. This includes the way IoT items send data or receive directions. The cybersecurity measures must possess the bandwidth to identify, assess, authorize and deter across the network. When organizations employ a piecemeal approach to technology and cybersecurity, hackers will find gaps. Achieving maximal IoT benefits requires comprehensive communication.
• Productivity: It’s essential to implement a plan of action that works seamlessly with profit-driving endeavors. The right cybersecurity expert understands that you are in business to turn a profit. The zero trust architecture plan may need modest adjustments and new technology to ensure it does not negatively impact goal achievement.

Scalability can also be a challenge for some organizations because the security posture requires some level of human decision-making. For instance, network users must request permission to access information outside their login profile parameters. A supervisor or another designated individual must authorize or deny the request.

The same holds true when employees fail to log into the system correctly, or their device is rejected. Keeping a real person in charge of critical decisions adds a fundamental layer of protection that pure automation cannot. However, tapping team supervisors and in-house IT personnel to handle these duties comes with a cost. Companies routinely turn to managed IT services to reduce staffing costs.

Implement Zero Trust IoT Cybersecurity Measures with Red River

Transitioning to a zero trust cybersecurity posture delivers tremendous data safety and can account for sometimes overlooked vulnerabilities of IoT devices. At Red River, we provide comprehensive solutions to zero trust IoT challenges that include edge computing, data encryption, firmware updates, software patch management and proactive threat detections. If you are interested in integrating the zero trust strategy, contact us today. Let’s get the process started.