What is IoT?

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is the network of devices connected to the Internet that communicate with one another. Devices in IoT are used every day, all around us. Your Amazon Echo, Ring Doorbell, and Nest Thermostat are all a part of this Internet of Things. But IoT is not limited to consumer products. IoT technology is present in a wide variety of sectors stretching from the medical field to the agriculture industry. According to Gartner, by 2021, there could be up to 25 billion devices making up the Internet of Things and by 2023, the number of endpoints CIOs need to secure could potentially triple.1

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What is IoT?

The Impact of IoT on Consumers and Businesses

Pros

  • Convenience: IoT devices have several options for internet connectivity, allowing them to easily connect and communicate with one another
  • Accessibility: Accessible to everyone, anywhere
  • Innovation: The use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is flourishing in IoT

Cons

  • Security: Ease of accessibility and connected devices leaves room for cyber criminals to enact threats
  • Privacy: Multiple devices with personally identifiable information and sensitive data on them can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks

IoT Industries

IoT devices are all around us: in our homes, in our offices, and even in our hospitals. Many people are unaware of how interconnected all our devices are. In order to distinguish and segment these devices, IoT can be categorized into three main industries: Industrial Control Systems, Healthcare, and Enterprise.

 

  • Industrial Control Systems: ICS Includes Internet-connected devices such as generators, PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA servers. Industrial and manufacturing environments need to ensure that their control systems are up-to-date and comprehensive in order to prevent cyber attacks and ensure optimal, secure operation.
  • Healthcare: Connecting IoT and medical devices (such as CT scanners, infusion pumps, patient monitors, and MRI machines) to the clinical network improves hospitals’ efficiency and quality of service. However, all of these devices can be unique entry points to outside threats. In order to innovate, improve patient care, and comply with emerging regulations, hospitals should release IoT innovations that keep their organizations secure.
  • Enterprise: While connecting Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices to your corporate network, you also expose your business, organization, or enterprise, to new cyber threats. It is crucial to select a security solution that minimizes risk exposure across IT environments, and blocks attacks before they reach critical assets.
  • Smart Building: Cybersecurity in today’s smart buildings is crucial factor for preventing attackers who are aiming to take advantage of known vulnerabilities in order to disrupt operation. Devices connected to the network like elevators, air conditioning, lighting, and water systems, have their own level of cybersecurity risk.
  • Smart Office: Today, devices such as smart TV’s, fax machines, coffee machines, controllers, printers, and video cameras, are all connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). Unfortunately, most of them are not designed to be secure and can easily become an entry point that exposes your network. It is essential to ensure that these devices are regularly updated and connected to a secure network.

The Future of IoT

If by 2021, a total of 25 billion devices will be connected to IoT, this upward trend will undoubtedly advance Artificial Intelligence (AI), further popularize Data Broking, and open the conversation about the social, legal, and ethical implications of IoT. As more and more devices become interconnected, a new generation of cyber threats will rise. Before long, cyber criminals could be hacking into your coffee maker and eventually make their way to your sensitive and personal data. As this new cyber threat era begins, it is important for you to secure your IoT devices in order to prevent cyber attacks.

The Check Point IoT Security Solution

Check Point offers the industry’s most comprehensive cyber-security solution for different IoT environments, including Smart Office, Smart Building, Industrial, and Healthcare. Check Point IoT Security solutions enables organizations to prevent IoT related attacks and minimize their IoT attack surface. All in a way that is easily scalable and non-disruptive to critical processes. The solution works with a wide variety of IoT Discovery Platforms.

Learn more about Check Point IoT Security.

1 Gartner Identifies Top 10 Strategic IoT Technologies and Trends

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