The Internet of Things

In this article, I'd like to explore the latest buzz term, Internet of Things or IoT.

IoT refers to the growing list of everyday objects that now have the ability to be connected to the internet. Some examples are washing machines, Smart TVs, wearable technology, coffee machines, clocks, locks, and cars.

Connecting devices to the internet offers users new ways to interact with their devices and businesses a new way to attract and advertise to consumers. IoT also presents challenges for us network engineers, particularly for security.

Securing these devices presents a challenge as many of these devices lack standards and have poor designs when it comes to security. They may offer some basic encryption but most devices are "dumb". Their sole purpose is to check in with the cloud to provide status updates and usage stats. An insecure device quietly collecting data in the background is an essential goldmine for those with malicious intent. The lack of security leaves the user's private data vulnerable to exploitation and provides an entryway for hackers.

We will need a solid understanding of these devices and their vulnerabilities to design solutions that will secure and contain them on the network. IoT offers many benefits, none of which outweigh the risks to network security. The Cisco Networking Academy is currently offering a free, self-paced training course on IoT. To enroll click here.