Security in IoT Automation is a growing concern as more devices and systems become interconnected. The Internet of Things (IoT) offers many benefits for industrial automation, but it also presents significant challenges in terms of cyber security. 

The need to protect devices and data in IoT Automation is crucial to guarantee the integrity, confidentiality and availability of industrial operations.

With increasing connectivity and the proliferation of these devices in industries, security has become a priority. IoT security threats, such as cyber attacks, data breaches and system outages, can have significant impacts on productivity and operational safety. It is therefore essential to implement good practices and robust measures to protect IoT automation systems from potential vulnerabilities.

In this article, we'll look at some key points about security in increasingly interconnected industrial environments. Have a good read!

What is IoT security?

IoT security is a set of processes, tools and strategies that seek to protect physical devices that store data and information and the networks to which they connect. 

To protect these devices and networks, IoT security develops a variety of security and cybersecurity techniques, including data encryption, user and device authentication; device and network monitoring; regular software updates and detection; and security incident response. 

When we talk about increasingly automated industries, with hundreds of robots and machines connected to networks, it's only natural that potential attack surfaces multiply. 

In this scenario, it is even more important that the operation implements this set of security and cybersecurity processes in its work routine.

According to EYdata, 3/4 of leaders report that cyber incidents take 6 months or more to detect, but despite the high levels of spending, detection and response times appear to be slow.

By implementing these techniques in their work routine, factories protect their operation against these threats and maintain the privacy and security of their data.

Read also: Internet of Things (IoT) and Automation: transforming industries through intelligent connectivity

Why is IoT security important?

IoT security is important because the Internet of Things is a connected network of devices, appliances and other items that contain software that allows them to connect to the Internet. This means that if a robust security system is not in place, hacker attacks can access your data very easily. 

What's more, IoT is an emerging technology that is still evolving. Many manufacturers of IoT devices have no experience in cybersecurity, which means that their products can be easily hacked. This can lead to a range of security problems, including the exposure of personal and financial information, the disruption of critical services and even the threat to people's physical safety.

According to an analysis by the cybersecurity company, Apura Cyber Intelligencein 2021, at least 69 Brazilian companies were the target of data leakage and hijacking attacks in the first half of that year.

A study by the Information and Coordination Center of Ponto BR (NIC.br) shows that only 41% of Brazilian companies have security policies.

And the threats increase year after year.

IoT is a technology that is becoming more and more present in our lives, but as more devices connect to the Internet, security becomes increasingly necessary. 

Read also: What are the factors that make IoT projects fail?

What are the main challenges related to IoT security in industries?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly used in industries to improve efficiency and productivity. However, IoT security is a growing concern, as connectivity exposes networks and devices to cyber threats. 

We've listed some of the main challenges related to IoT security in industries.

Lack of visibility/shadow IT

Lack of visibility is a common problem in IoT environments, especially in large organizations. IoT devices are often added to the network without the knowledge or approval of the security team, creating shadow IT. This makes it difficult to properly monitor and secure the network and devices.

Huge attack surface

The Internet of Things significantly increases the attack surface of the network, making it more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Devices generally have little or no built-in security and are often connected to insecure networks, making them easy targets for hackers.

Difficult integration

Integrating IoT devices with existing systems can be a challenge. IoT devices are generally designed to be autonomous, which means that they don't easily integrate with other systems. This can lead to security problems, as they may not be able to communicate with existing security systems.

Open source software

Many IoT devices use open source software, which means that the source code is accessible to everyone. This can make them vulnerable to cyber attacks, as hackers can easily find and exploit vulnerabilities in the code.

Unmanageable data loads

IoT devices generate large amounts of data, but this data is often unmanageable. This can lead to security problems, as data can easily be stolen or corrupted.

Weak user credentials

IoT devices often have weak user credentials, which means they are vulnerable to brute force attacks. If passwords are weak, hackers can easily guess and access the network and devices.

Insufficient computer capacity

Many IoT devices have limited computing power, which means they don't have enough processing power to perform complex security functions. This can make the devices vulnerable to cyber attacks, as hackers can easily exploit these vulnerabilities.

In short, IoT security is a growing challenge for industries. Organizations must be aware of these challenges and take steps to adequately protect their operation.

What are the main threats to IoT security?

The Internet of Things has been one of the main topics in technology in recent years. As its popularity grows, so do new security threats. See what they are now.

IoT worms

IoT worms are one of the biggest security threats. They are capable of spreading quickly, affecting many devices in a short space of time. Once an IoT worm infects a device, it can spread across the network quickly, causing significant damage.

IoT botnets

IoT botnets are another major threat to IoT security. They are infected networks that are controlled remotely by an attacker. Attackers can use IoT botnets to carry out denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on websites and online services, as well as other malicious activities.

IoT Ransomware

IoT ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the data on an IoT device and demands a ransom to unlock it. As many IoT devices are used in critical environments, such as hospitals and factories, IoT ransomware attacks can have serious consequences.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks are another type of threat. They occur when an attacker intercepts the communication between two IoT devices and can read, modify or inject data into the communication. This can be used to steal confidential information or carry out other malicious activities.

Firmware hijacking

Firmware hijacking is an attack in which an attacker replaces the firmware of an IoT device with malicious firmware. This can allow the attacker to control the device or use it to carry out inappropriate activities. Firmware hijacking is a particularly serious threat because it can be difficult to detect and correct.

Good practices in IoT security

Security is a crucial aspect of any IoT system, especially in industrial automation. There are several good practices that can be followed to ensure your security. Let's take a look.

API security

APIs are an important component of any IoT system. It is important to ensure that they are secure and that only authorized users can access them. This can be done using token-based authentication and limiting access to only the necessary APIs.

Gateway security

The gateway is an entry point to the IoT system and is therefore a common target for attacks. It is important to ensure that the gateway is protected with strong authentication and that security updates are applied regularly.

NAC

Network access control (NAC) is a technique used to ensure that only authorized devices can access the network. This can be done using certificate-based authentication and limiting access to only the necessary devices.

Network security

Network security is crucial in any IoT system. It is important to ensure that the network is protected with strong encryption, that devices are isolated on separate networks and that security updates are applied regularly.

Patch management

Security updates are crucial to ensuring the security of the IoT system. It is important to ensure that security updates are applied regularly and that patches are managed effectively.

PKI authentication

PKI-based authentication is a technique used to ensure that only authorized devices can access the network. This can be done by using digital certificates and limiting access to only the necessary devices.

Segmentation

Segmentation is a technique used to isolate devices into separate networks. This can be done using VLANs and limiting access to only the necessary devices.

By following these best practices, you can ensure the security of IoT automation and protect against cyber threats..

Step by step to ensure industrial IoT security

To ensure the security of the industrial IoT, you need to follow a set of security practices and standards. Some important steps are listed below.

Industrial Safety Standards

It is necessary to follow the relevant industrial security standards, such as ISA/IEC 62443, which provides a set of guidelines for the security of industrial control systems. Companies should also consider having their IoT systems certified by independent organizations such as UL.

Network segmentation

Network segmentation, as mentioned above, is an important practice for ensuring the security of the industrial IoT. By segmenting the network, companies can limit access to IoT devices and reduce the risk of attacks. This can be done by creating virtual private networks (VPNs) or by physical separation.

Traffic Monitoring

Traffic monitoring is an important practice for detecting suspicious activity on the network. Companies can use traffic monitoring tools to identify suspicious or unusual actions and take measures to mitigate possible threats.

Access Control

Access control is an important practice to ensure that only authorized users have access to IoT devices and the data they generate. Companies can implement two-factor authentication, strong passwords and encryption to guarantee data security.

Physical Security

Physical security is an important practice for ensuring the security of the industrial IoT. Companies must physically protect their IoT devices from theft, vandalism and other threats. This can be done through the use of security cameras, access controls and other physical security measures.

Data integrity

Data integrity is an important practice to ensure that the data generated by IoT devices is accurate and reliable. With this in mind, companies can implement measures such as encrypting data at rest and in transit.

Operational Resilience

Operational resilience is an important practice to ensure that IoT systems continue to function even in the event of failures or attacks. Companies can implement measures to ensure operational resilience, such as system redundancy and data backup.

Firmware and Software Updates

Regularly updating firmware and software is an important practice to ensure the security of the industrial IoT. Companies can ensure that their IoT devices are always up to date with the latest security patches and software updates.

Collaboration with suppliers

Collaboration with suppliers is an important practice to ensure security. Companies should work closely with their suppliers to ensure that IoT devices are secure and meet the relevant security standards.

Training and Awareness

Companies should provide regular training to their employees on security best practices and make them aware of the security risks associated with IoT devices.

Security tests

Companies should carry out regular security tests on their IoT devices to identify possible vulnerabilities and take measures to mitigate possible threats.

Conclusion

Security is one of the main concerns in IoT automation. As devices multiply, new challenges and vulnerabilities arise that need to be addressed to ensure network and data protection.

To ensure security in IoT automation, it is essential to adopt adequate protection measures, such as data encryption, user authentication and regular software updates. In addition, it is important that developers and manufacturers of IoT devices take security into account right from the start of the development process.

Another important measure is the implementation of a vulnerability management system, which allows possible security flaws to be identified and corrected quickly. It is essential that companies and organizations using IoT automation are always up to date on the latest threats and vulnerabilities, so that they can take preventive and corrective measures.

With the right measures, you can guarantee the security of the network, the data and your operation, and enjoy all the benefits of IoT automation.