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Cybersecurity Month: Smart Devices in the Home and Office

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October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Each week, we’ll provide information and tips to help you increase your cybersecurity awareness and reduce the cyber risk for yourself and your organization. 

SMART DEVICES IN THE HOME AND OFFICE

This week, the Department of Homeland Security is focusing on Cybersecurity at Home. And one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity risks in the home can also be a big risk in the office: Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

These are “smart” devices that communicate on the Internet. There’s been explosive growth in the number of IoT devices available, from thermostats, security cameras, and wireless printers to smart speakers like Google Home.

What’s the risk?
  • Users tend to “set it and forget it,” which means IoT devices are often overlooked as a cybersecurity risk – watch as a 12-year-old demonstrates how IoT devices can be hacked
  • Many of these devices can’t be patched 
  • Hackers can use IoT devices to:
    • Gain access to your organization’s network and other devices on it
    • Take over devices like security cameras and webcams to monitor activity or use them in malicious acts such as DDoS attacks
How to reduce your risk
  • Keep IoT devices on separate, secure networks and make sure your router is secure
  • Create an inventory of each IoT device connected to your organization’s network, then assess and secure each one:
    • How does it connect to the Internet?
    • Can it be disconnected when it’s not in use?
    • Have default usernames and passwords been changed (if possible)?
    • What information does it collect? How is the data stored and transmitted? Can you opt out?
    • Does the manufacturer make firmware and software updates available?
  • Create policies for IoT device use in your organization
  • Have a plan for installing security patches and software updates 
  • Have your IT department configure network firewalls to block unauthorized IP addresses and disable port forwarding
  • Watch for any unusual network activity 
  • Purchase IoT devices from reputable manufacturers that provide strong security
  • Develop a strategy for disposing of IoT devices that can no longer be updated or patched

 


DID YOU KNOW?
There are now more connected devices than people in the world. According to Gartner, there were approximately 8.4 billion IoT devices in use during 2017. 

 

Access additional cybersecurity articles and blog posts here.

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