By 2030, the Number of Connected IoT Devices Will Exceed 30 Billion.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the way we interact with our environment. From industrial sensors to home devices, the proliferation of IoT has reached an unprecedented scale. It is estimated that by 2030, the number of connected IoT devices will exceed 30 billion. However, this exponential growth also increases the associated risks, creating a more complex and challenging cybersecurity landscape.

The most frequent risks of IoT

1. Botnet attacks

IoT botnets, such as Mirai or Hajime, have demonstrated the devastating impact of insecure devices. Attackers leverage default credentials or poor configurations to take control of thousands of devices and launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks that cripple critical services.

2. Ransomware on IoT devices

The evolution of ransomware has reached the IoT. In 2022, hospitals in Europe reported attacks where connected systems, such as medical monitors and diagnostic devices, were encrypted, paralyzing critical operations and putting lives at risk.

3. Data manipulation and espionage

Connected IoT devices often collect sensitive data, from personal information to operational details in industrial plants. Attackers can intercept these communications using Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks or exploit vulnerabilities to access data in real time.

4. Insecurity in updates and maintenance

Many IoT devices do not have secure firmware update mechanisms. This leaves them exposed to known vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by attackers to compromise entire networks.

5. Risks in critical infrastructures

The use of IoT in sectors such as energy, transportation, and healthcare amplifies the impact of attacks. For example, in 2021, a targeted attack on a water treatment plant in Florida manipulated chemical levels through poorly protected IoT devices, putting public health at risk.

How to mitigate IoT risks with an advanced technical approach

1. Network isolation and segmentation

A key strategy for securing IoT is network segmentation. Each device should operate in an isolated environment to limit the spread of threats. This is achieved by:

• Dedicated virtual networks (VLANs) to separate devices based on function.
• Role-based access control to restrict unnecessary interactions.
• Continuous monitoring of network traffic to detect anomalous behavior.

2. End-to-end encryption

Communications between connected IoT devices must be encrypted to prevent interception. Protocols such as TLS or DTLS ensure that transmitted data is protected against MitM attacks.

3. Advanced Credential Management

Using default passwords is one of the biggest risks in IoT. Implementing solutions that automate credential rotation and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential to prevent unauthorized access.

4. Firmware Integrity Monitoring

IoT devices must be able to verify the authenticity and integrity of their firmware before any update. This reduces the possibility of malicious software being introduced into the system.

5. Regular audits and penetration tests

Conducting regular security assessments helps identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Penetration testing simulates real-world attacks to assess the resilience of the IoT ecosystem.

Conclusion: Securing IoT as a Strategic Priority

IoT offers countless benefits, but it also exposes organizations and individuals to significant risks. Adopting advanced technologies, such as network segmentation, strong encryption, and centralized access management, is critical to mitigating these risks.

In this context, the technical approach must prioritize security at all stages of the IoT device lifecycle, from design to deployment and maintenance. Lessons learned from critical cases should guide the development of stricter regulations and technological solutions tailored to the growing IoT ecosystem.

Endurance

Offers comprehensive IoT protection through centralized privileged access management (PAM) ensuring only authorized users and devices can interact with critical systems. Its Shielded Remote Desktop and VDI-based architecture ensures only keyboard, mouse, video, and audio events travel, eliminating the possibility of compromising sensitive assets. Additionally, the built-in Encrypted Vault secures credentials and keys used on IoT devices, providing an additional layer of security against sophisticated attacks. This makes Endurance an essential solution to meet the challenges of modern IoT.