Consumer IoT Security Challenges and Solutions you shouldn’t miss

The number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is expected to nearly triple from 9.7 billion in 2020 to more than 29 billion in 2030 globally. As the number of IoTs increases, so do cyberattacks on them. According to a recent SonicWall Report, malware assaults on IoT/Connected Devices increased by 77% in the first half of 2022. According to the research, ransomware assaults are down 23%, but cryptojacking attacks are up 30%, and intrusion attempts are up 19%. Due to the growing number of devices and the rising number of potential attacks, standards were required to verify that the tested devices were truly created in accordance with cybersecurity regulations. In this article, we will take a closer look at these regulations as well as at consumer IoT devices themselves and introduce their main security challenges and solutions.

Consumer IoT devices in a nutshell

IoT is a networked system of interconnected computing devices, mechanical and digital machinery, items, animals, or people with unique identities (UIDs) and the capacity to transfer data without needing human-to-human or human-to-computer contact. Consumer IoT refers to the incorporation of IoT into everyday consumer applications and devices. The most popular consumer IoT devices are smartphones, smart home or car items, as well as various wearable gadgets such as smartwatches.

Main IoT security issues: challenges and best practices

For some time now, the data security of IoT devices has been a source of concern, with the unavoidable result of permitting both small- and large-scale cyber attacks. The majority of these attacks are the result of basic security flaws, such as easily guessable passwords, which can put consumer IoT device users at risk of a potential data breach. 

The main IoT security issues include:

• Out-of-date software
• Security stance of vendors
• Inadequate access control
• An excessively big attack surface
• Application flaws due to a lack of encryption
• Inadequate Trusted Execution Environment
• Insufficient privacy protection
• Ignorance of intrusion
• IoT Ransomware
• Deficient physical security
• Botnet attacks
• Inadequate user awareness and information

Consumer IoT Security Solutions – Tips to prevent potential cyberattacks

Here are some tips for manufacturers, vendors, and related businesses to avoid security issues and potential cyber-attacks threatening consumer IoT devices:

• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): IoT devices constantly stream data therefore every second the customers are not in control of their IoT devices, they lose data. EDR technology can assist in detecting threats in real time and preventing this data loss. EDR enables security teams in businesses to swiftly identify malicious activities and acquire direct access to devices through real-time visibility and alerts.
• Applying IoT security analytics: Security analytics can help to minimize consumer IoT security issues and vulnerabilities dramatically. By gathering and analyzing data from different sources, security analytics assist security teams in identifying and preventing possible risks.

• Encryption: Attackers might compromise consumer IoT communication in order to obtain access to devices. In order to avoid it communication between IoT devices and interfaces must be encrypted.

• Strengthen API security: Consumer IoT devices frequently rely on APIs to access data from other systems and share the information they collect. Weak APIs mean major vulnerabilities from a security point of view.
• Authentication: Device authentication can help to limit the vulnerability of consumer IoT devices.

ETSI EN 303 645 – A security foundation for consumer IoT devices

In addition to the above best practices, compliance of consumer IoT devices with current related cybersecurity standards can help maintain their security. Any device or service that stores, processes, or transfers sensitive data over any network, or controls vital infrastructure, is exposed to cybersecurity concerns and should be assessed for possible threats. 

ETSI EN 303 645 is a technical guideline for the security of consumer IoT devices developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). ETSI EN 303 645 is the first Cybersecurity Standard for Consumer IoT Devices that is internationally applicable. The main goal of the ETSI 303 645 standard is to secure consumer IoT products against the most frequent cybersecurity risks and to prevent large-scale cyberattacks on linked devices. It also serves as a foundation for future IoT certification schemes.

Summary

IoTs that are used by individuals are called consumer IoTs. The sharp increase in the number of these in recent years also brings with it a growing number of security issues. ETSI EN 303 645 is the first globally usable Cybersecurity Standard for Consumer IoT. 

Getting your product ETSI EN 303 645 tested and certified is currently one of the most effective ways to prevent the most common cyberattacks on the corresponding devices thus making them safer for users. 

Are you looking for a reliable partner with comprehensive industry experience to test and certify your consumer IoT product according to ETSI EN 303 645 standards? Then CCLab, the agile cybersecurity lab might be the right choice for you.