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Defining a Security Strategy for an IoT Solution
A successful IoT security strategy requires thoughtful implementation from edge devices to the cloud. In addition, IoT security must be built into devices and infrastructure from the start. It should not be bolted on as an afterthought. A security by design approach is crucial to keeping IoT deployments safe from cyberthreats.
Connect, Manage and Secure
Your IoT Deployment
Table of Contents
- Defining a Security Strategy for an IoT Solution
- What Does IoT Security by Design Look Like?
- 5 Key Security Considerations for Device Manufacturers
- Built-In Security Features to Protect IoT Devices
- IoT Cybersecurity Compliance and Regulations
- A Checklist for an IoT Security Strategy
- Simplifying Complex IoT Security Concerns
- Key Takeaways
What Does IoT Security by Design Look Like?
The cellular module must be secured and personalized during manufacturing. This should be done at the device level using a security by design approach. The module’s hardware and firmware are designed with security as a core principle. Manufacturers must also understand and incorporate relevant threat models and regulatory requirements into the design.
The security by design philosophy extends across the entire product life cycle, from design through deployment and maintenance. This tailored approach guarantees the correct protection level based on:
- The context of the IoT application
- Final environment
- Regulatory context to meet customer, government and industry expectations
5 Key Security Considerations for Device Manufacturers
Device manufacturers should consider several security aspects when designing their products or solutions. These aspects include, but are not limited to:
1. Risk Analysis
This is often the initial phase at which you identify and assess potential system risks.
2. Threat Modeling
Threat modeling establishes a systematic approach to identify and address potential security threats and vulnerabilities in the IoT solution’s specific scenario.
3. IoT Security Requirements
A clear definition of security requirements and functionalities based on the specific solution is mandatory. It supports the entire product risk management life cycle.
4. Privacy Assessment
This ensures that privacy considerations are embedded into the design and architecture of IoT systems from the outset.
5. Secure Supply Chain Management
This establishes a structured process to handle third-party supplier risks.
Built-In Security Features to Protect IoT Devices
Implementing built-in security features into IoT devices is crucial for safeguarding them against cyberthreats. These features ensure a fortified defense of the devices and the data they handle.
Secure Boot
Secure boot ensures that a device only runs authenticated firmware. It prevents the execution of unauthorized malicious code.
Security Component
A secure component protects sensitive data and the computing process integrity in embedded systems. These components can be implemented as separate hardware modules, such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) or secure elements (SEs). They could also be integrated within the processor architecture like ARM® TrustZone.
Hardware Security
Secure elements and microcontrollers with dedicated security cores and antitamper mechanisms protect against physical attack and unauthorized access.
Secure Storage
This feature uses strong encryption to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data at rest. It protects the data from unauthorized access on the device.
Secure Firmware Updates
These mechanisms verify the authenticity of updates using cryptographic signatures. They also maintain integrity and confidentiality by ensuring update delivery over secure channels.
Based on the specific IoT solution scenario and final context usage, you should evaluate automatic security updates. This will reduce the window timeframe of well-known exploitable security weaknesses.
Anomalous Detection
Built-in detection systems monitor for anomalous patterns. When they detect threats, they can initiate predefined responses (e.g., alerts or isolation).
Transport Layer Security
The Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol ensures the encryption and authentication of data in transit. It prevents eavesdropping and unauthorized access.
Robust communication protocols are essential. Encryption and authentication mechanisms should be mandatory for all data transmissions between IoT devices and back-end servers. These are critical to protect data integrity and confidentiality.
Multifactor Authentication and Role-Based Access Control
In each IoT scenario, whenever possible, implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC) is critical. It ensures that only authorized users have access. These capabilities minimize the impact of compromised accounts and enforce the authentication and authorization layers.
These capabilities will help you adapt to a shifting security landscape. According to IoT Business News, 57% of IoT devices are vulnerable to medium or high-level threats. New attacks can arise as quickly as 15 minutes after publication of a vulnerability. While common security principles remain valid, organizations must now also contend with the following:
- The exponential attack surface growth, from 9.76 billion devices in 2020 to over 29 billion in 2030
- Varying regulatory requirements across regions and verticals (European- or country-specific regulations)
A secure, in-depth principle and minimizing the default attack surface are essential for a long-term security strategy.
IoT Cybersecurity Compliance and Regulations
A main consideration in IoT security strategy is navigating complex region- and industry-specific regulations. Where a business will operate is critical to deciding what precautionary measures are necessary.
In Europe, the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) will institute new cybersecurity requirements by 2025. In the U.S., IoT security is becoming a pillar of the national cybersecurity strategy. Organizations must map the regulatory matrix across the markets where they will deploy their IoT solutions.
A Checklist for an IoT Security Strategy
An organization seeking to secure an IoT deployment must look at the issue from many angles. This checklist provides a starting point for evaluating an IoT security strategy:
Manufacturing
It’s vital to consider the site’s physical security to secure IoT deployments in manufacturing facilities. You should check the status of hardware, libraries, firmware and software to ensure every part is patched and up to date.
- Are you implementing rigorous authentication and authorization mechanisms?
- Do you maintain regular software and firmware updates?
- Are you deploying robust monitoring and logging practices?
- How do you handle data protection and encryption?
- Do you have incident response and recovery plans in place?
Your supply chain should include trusted partners. You must be able to map the value chain to manage the risk at various levels.
Communications and Protocols
Protocols and communication details are essential IoT security components. Any carelessness in this outer layer can allow bad actors to enter the network.
Look for IoT connectivity solutions that prioritize secure protocols and communication standards to help protect against unauthorized access. Also, ask your team the following questions:
- Are you using strong encryption protocols?
- How do you handle mutual authentication?
- What measures do you have in place for communication integrity and authenticity?
- Are you conducting regular security audits and testing?
- How do you handle device-to-device communication security?
- How do you handle life cycle management and decommissioning of IoT devices?
IoT Security for System Operations
Be aware of who has access to devices and data on your IoT network and how much control they have. Maintaining role-based access control allows organizations to limit what each team member can do. This approach keeps potential security risks minimal. Other system operations issues include encryption of data at rest, change management processes and security audit logs.
- Is your data at rest encrypted?
- Are all your servers controlled from one image?
- What is your change management process?
- Who has access to the databases?
- Who has access to your firmware?
- Is your firmware encrypted in transit?
- Where are your builds?
- Do you have adequate detail in your security audit logs?
- Are you providing training and awareness programs for your teams?
- Are you utilizing anonymization and pseudonymization techniques for sensitive data?
- Are you applying policy-driven device management and security posture?
Plan for continuous threat monitoring and management. You must stay on top of it and continue to prioritize it. Threat monitoring becomes more critical to do remotely and at scale as you deploy more devices. It involves:
- Ongoing employee training
- Threat intelligence feeds
- Proactive detection
- Defined incident response processes
Business Operations
Remote provisioning has become more common with the advent of embedded SIMs (eSIMs). These leverage the embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) standard. When initial provisioning or firmware updates are sent over the air (OTA), ask yourself: How do you handle identity provisioning and decommissioning?
Identity Encryption
Encryption is critical to IoT security, but it must be done correctly. Adequate data encryption and the creation of unique identities for hardware and software are essential.
- Are you implementing mutual authentication?
- Do you have a mechanism for secure key management?
- Are you considering post-quantum cryptographic algorithms?
- How are you ensuring the integrity of your device identities?
- Are you using public key infrastructure (PKI) for identity management?
Simplifying Complex IoT Security Concerns
IoT security is a complex undertaking. However, Telit Cinterion’s approach simplifies it with built-in security. Our guiding principle considers value, vendors and technologies as the three most critical components of an IoT security strategy.
IoT security best practices start with security by design and extend throughout the life cycle. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy, and security can’t be an afterthought.
We’ve created a secure IoT ecosystem encompassing modules, connectivity plans, platforms and solutions. It bridges edge technologies with cloud servers and applications seamlessly.
Speak with our experts to start an IoT security strategy for your IoT deployment.
Key Takeaways
- You must implement IoT security with a security by design approach. This ensures the hardware and firmware include threat models and regulatory requirements.
- IoT security strategy considerations for device manufacturers include risk analysis and secure firmware updates, among other critical features. Ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to specific areas of the device is also paramount, using tools like MFA and RBAC.
- An IoT security strategy must align with regulations like RED in the EU. These frameworks evolve, so ensuring compliance is mandatory for maintaining long-term device protection.
Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published on 17 November 2020 and has since been updated.
