The advent and exponential growth of Internet connected devices has the potential to change the world – but not always in benign ways.
As everyday objects from our cars to our refrigerators to our thermostats begin to act more and more like smartphones, IoT devices have the potential to automate and simplify many areas of our everyday lives. Smart homes will adjust the temperature and turn on the lights for us, smart cars will help us reach our destinations and call for help when there’s a problem, and smart appliances will make sure we never run out of milk and schedule their own maintenance.
But with new technologies, there is almost always a cost, and the Internet of Things is no exception. As the IoT expands rapidly, it seems as though we will pay for the convenience that it creates for us with increased risks to our security.
At least at first.
In the past, people had to worry about data security only as it applied to a desktop computer and maybe a laptop. We were running anti-virus software on these devices to protect ourselves against attackers, and that was pretty much all we needed to do.
Today, we have so many new devices connected to the Internet, and the number growing rapidly. The risks that accompany this trend are big.
According to an HP security survey, more than 70 percent of the most commonly used IoT devices have serious security vulnerabilities. Innovators and entrepreneurs are rushing to bring the next big thing to the market and, in their haste, they are putting security concerns second (or sometimes even last) to creating the device and cornering the market.
But as IoT devices gather more and more data about us and our lives, we as consumers should be extremely concerned about these vulnerabilities. We may not think about it very much, but these IoT devices have collected a lot of information about our private lives. The refrigerator that orders your milk must have some sort of payment method set up with the grocer. Your thermostat knows when you are likely to be at home – and also when you are not. And your smart watch or wearable fitness tracker may have private information about your health and habits that you wouldn’t want anyone but your doctor to know.
Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a report urging IoT manufacturers to put security first with these new technologies. The report recommends having a defensive security plan in place, rather than reacting to security threats after the fact, and recommends that companies train employees in how to secure customer data. Furthermore, the FTC argues that companies should be transparent about how they collect and use data, and offer users the choice to opt out.
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SOURCE: Data Informed
Bernard Marr is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategic performance consultant, and analytics, KPI, and big data guru. In addition, he is a member of the Data Informed Board of Advisers. He helps companies to better manage, measure, report, and analyze performance. His leading-edge work with major companies, organizations, and governments across the globe makes him an acclaimed and award-winning keynote speaker, researcher, consultant, and teacher.
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