The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected smart devices that exchange information with each other through Bluetooth or high-speed internet, usually Wi-Fi. Most of the modern technology in our homes today is smart technology managed through a central hub, such as Google Home and Samsung SmartThings.
Smart home automation can control your home’s lights, thermostats, appliances, surveillance cameras, locks, energy management, and electronics. All you need to do is preconfigure the settings and let your IoT devices do the rest. Of course, you can monitor and override the automated settings using your app if necessary.
With the rapid adoption of 5G networks and edge computing technology, a central hub or data center no longer needs to process all the data. Edge computing allows local real-time data processing without sending it all to a central server, resulting in lower latency and better efficiency.
As a result, 5G networks and edge computing enable more sophisticated applications to improve speed and efficiency.
Emerging Threats in IoT Security
Unfortunately, all the incredible advancements in 5G and edge computing technology bring a new series of potential vulnerabilities and security threats. All the IoT devices connected create multiple data exchange entry points that cybercriminals can compromise and attack. It significantly increases the risk of security breaches within these networks.
Edge computing creates a decentralized network of data processing where multiple locations process data rather than one. It may be suitable for faster data processing with reduced latency but not for stopping multiple attack vectors from occurring. The worst part is that you won’t notice these attacks immediately if you rely on automation to manage the IoT devices in your home.
For example, cybercriminals will use more “man-in-the-middle” attacks to intercept any two entry points where data is being exchanged. A decentralized network might have multiple entry points exchanging data, but they don’t have the same high level of security as a centralized hub would have. That makes it easier for cybercriminals to intercept those entry points and steal your sensitive information.
Security Strategies
You will need a robust home security system to protect your IoT devices from potential cyberattacks. Some of the most effective security strategies you could implement include:
- Strong encryption protocols – Every entry point in your decentralized network will need strong encryption protocols to protect data transferred between the origin and destination entry points. Other critical encryption protocols could include transport layer security Datagram TLS and quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms.
- Regular firmware updates – Keep your IoT device firmware updated regularly because outdated firmware makes devices more susceptible to cyberattacks. Try automating the real-time updates so that you don’t have to remember to do it manually.
- Network segmentation – Create isolated segments within your IoT networks to reduce the severity of data breaches. Require your users and devices to go through a verification process before being granted data access, such as multi-factor authentication.
Artificial intelligence (AI) should be part of every security strategy. After all, AI advancements automate many IoT devices and enable them to make better autonomous decisions based on collected data. When adding 5G and edge computing into the mix, IoT devices can use real-time data processing to make faster and more viable decisions based on more recent data rather than past data.
Edge AI is the term referring to artificial intelligence in IoT devices. Due to the autonomous decision-making provided, IoT devices could be programmed with AI algorithms to help them spot cyberattacks or predict potential device failures before they occur. Furthermore, Edge AI will execute real-time automated migration of cyberattacks and send you reports about them as they happen.
Case Studies
Many major online platforms have embraced edge computing over the last decade. During the early years of edge computing, several notable cases of cyberattacks in networks used edge computing.
Case Study #1
In 2016, a malware named Mirai botnet launched several DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks across major platforms like Netflix, Twitter, and Reddit and exploited the security vulnerabilities of users’ IoT devices. The malware used the internet to scan IoT devices with weak credentials to compromise them.
When 5G was adopted about 3 to 4 years later, it increased the number of IoT devices connected to these networks. This was found to make the security threats worse rather than better. So, the platforms and their users began to strengthen their security by requiring stronger passwords, establishing robust encryption protocols, and updating their firmware regularly.
Case Study #2
In 2020, Ring home security cameras were breached by hackers who accessed live video feeds from people’s Ring security cameras. It exposed the poor credentials and security protocols associated with these cameras. Not only did they violate people’s privacy, but many were threatened and harassed by the hackers, too.
The users probably learned the biggest lessons here. They realized that setting strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication is critical for stopping hackers. They also discovered that creating multiple user accounts is better than sharing login information when you want to grant numerous people access to the system.
Future Outlook
IoT security measures will continuously need to evolve alongside the technological advancements being made each year. It is the only way to protect networks using 5G and edge computing against threats.
AI-driven threat detection is predicted to be the most significant security measure in detecting computing threats. When AI algorithms are updated and aligned with the latest technological advancements, they can detect threats that could impact them.
Fast responses to security threats are necessary to mitigate or prevent damage. Autonomous security mechanisms will be key to executing such measures, including automated firmware updates and compromised system restoration.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, 5G and edge computing are improving the performance of IoT devices and smart networks. However, they can create new security vulnerabilities and challenges that must be addressed by adopting robust security strategies for improving IoT security, such as AI-driven threat detection, enhanced encryption protocols, firmware updates, and network segmentation.
Cyber threats will continue to evolve, so you must be willing to make new strategic security considerations like these to protect the user data transmitted in your network.
Author Biography
Abhay Mangalore is a Software Engineering Manager at Arlo Inc. He is an expert with over 19 years of experience in the field. Specializing in IoT security, he has worked with numerous organizations to develop comprehensive automated security solutions for preventing cyberattacks on decentralized and centralized IoT networks.
