From simply saying, “Hey Siri, switch on the light” to utilising complex sensor arrays in factories, there is clear evidence that the Internet of Things (IoT) has become increasingly ubiquitous. IoT is driving digital transformation across healthcare, manufacturing, and all other sectors by improving efficiency, enabling automation, and delivering real-time insights.
This transformation is possible due to the connection of multiple devices to the internet. And there comes the flip side, because for every new device connected to the internet, another potential vulnerability is waiting to be exploited. And when you’re deploying hundreds or thousands of these devices, those vulnerabilities can quickly spiral into a massive security liability.
IoT devices are often under-secured, overexposed, and difficult to manage at scale, and this fact isn’t hidden from attackers. Vulnerabilities such as weak default credentials and outdated firmware are examples of very attractive entry points for attacks.
Securing IoT systems at scale isn’t just the IT team’s responsibility, it’s an important business factor. Here’s how your organisation can build resilient and scalable security for the ever-expanding world of connected devices.
4 Key Strategies for Securing IoT at Scale
1. Gain Visibility and Maintain Updated Inventory.
You can’t secure what you don’t know you have. An IoT environment often includes the usage of a lot of devices, ranging from sensors and smart cameras to controllers and monitors, many of which operate silently in the background. Many organisations struggle to track all the IoT devices on their network, especially third-party devices. Hence, making it difficult to provide security measures for them.
It is important to detect the devices present on the network, evaluate and classify them based on their types, functions, and risk levels, and maintain an up-to-date asset inventory that shows each device’s configuration, ownership, and location.
2. Network Segmentation is a Must
IoT devices don’t need to “talk” to everything and every section on your network. Without segmentation, an attacker who gains access through one vulnerable device could easily move laterally across your infrastructure, reaching sensitive systems like financial records, health records, or production systems.
Use firewalls and VLANs to isolate IoT devices from your core business systems. Additionally, deploy demilitarised zones (DMZs) to filter and monitor inbound and outbound traffic on each device on the network.
3. Real-Time Monitoring
When managing a lot of devices, manual monitoring is not enough and capable. Without real-time insight into what’s happening on the network, threats can remain undetected until it’s too late. Most times, IoT traffic can be difficult to interpret using traditional IT tools without the integration of existing SIEM tools.
Monitor device behaviour continuously for signs of compromise or anomalies with the use of a specialised IoT/OT-specified intrusion detection system (IDS).
4. Security Into Culture, Policy, and Design
Technology (firewalls, VLANs, DMZs, IDS/IPS, etc.) alone can’t solve security issues. People and processes matter just as much as the technology does. Without the right policies and culture, even the best security tools eventually fall short.
It is important to conduct regular, role-specific cybersecurity training for engineers, technicians, and leadership to keep them abreast of the general vulnerabilities and how they can avoid being exploited.
The Bottom Line
Securing IoT at scale isn’t about deploying a single solution. It’s about building a layered, intentional, and scalable security strategy. By gaining visibility, segmenting networks, etc,. organisations can almost easily defend against advanced threats in today’s connected world.
With TcehInnovate Cyber, your odds are even much better, as we have the expertise to help secure your devices and organisation at large.
