How to Secure IoT Devices: A Foolproof Guide for Beginners

April 17 • 3:22 pm

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The number of connected devices will reach over 17 billion worldwide in 2024. This is a big deal as it means that all previous connectivity records. The statistics paint a worrying picture – 22% of organizations dealt with serious IoT security incidents last year.

The security landscape looks even more concerning. The average organization’s devices remain completely unsecured – about 30% of them. IoT devices face significant threats, with malware affecting 49% of them. Human error causes 39% of security incidents. These numbers highlight why securing IoT devices has become crucial today.

Securing IoT devices might seem like a daunting task. Many devices operate continuously with minimal built-in security features. This piece offers a complete roadmap to protect your IoT devices. You’ll learn essential strategies from changing default credentials to setting up proper network segmentation.

Would you like to make your IoT devices as secure as possible? Let’s take a closer look at the essential aspects of IoT security in 2024.

Understanding IoT Security Risks in 2025

IoT’s rapid growth brings new security challenges that we’ve never seen before. These devices make our lives and businesses better but create easy targets for cybercriminals. Let’s get into the specific risks IoT ecosystems will face in 2025

Common attack vectors targeting IoT devices

Cybercriminals take advantage of several weak spots in connected devices:

Default credentials are still a big problem. One in five IoT devices use factory-set passwords, which makes them easy targets Outdated firmware causes 60% of IoT security breaches Insecure web interfaces serve as prime targets for attacks but lack simple security measures Hardware vulnerabilities like exposed debug ports (JTAG/UART) give direct access to device internals Weak encryption becomes a major issue when you have protocols like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and proprietary standards

IoT malware attacks have jumped 45% from 2023 to 2024. Attackers now target these devices to steal data, disrupt operations, or use them in botnet attacks.

Why Traditional Security Measures Fall Short

Standard IT security setup doesn’t work well for IoT protection. The reasons are clear:

Traditional security depends on perimeter-based protection with firewalled “trusted zones”. IoT devices often work outside these boundaries. The scale makes things worse – some organizations now handle over 50,000 IoT devices. This creates a huge attack surface that regular tools can’t track properly.

These devices run on real-time operating systems that work like “walled-off black boxes.” You can’t install security agents or change their settings. Patch management gets complicated with hundreds of different devices from various manufacturers, each needing its own tools.

The Real Cost of Unsecured IoT Devices

IoT security failures hit hard financially. Companies lose an average of USD 330,000 per incident. U.S. data breaches cost about USD 9.36 million.

Money isn’t the only thing at stake. Unsecured devices lead to:

Operational disruption – Security failures cause 6.5 hours of downtime on average Reputational damage – 78% of customers would abandon a company after a major IoT-related breach Critical infrastructure risks – Industrial IoT attacks have grown 75% in two years Healthcare hazards – Medical IoT breaches cost USD 10 million on average, the highest across industries

Half of IoT security budgets might go toward covering breach costs. This creates a dangerous cycle that keeps devices vulnerable.

Securing Your IoT Devices at the Device Level

The quickest way to secure your IoT devices starts with the basics – the devices themselves. These devices serve as your first line of defense against potential breaches. Let’s look at the critical steps that build a strong foundation to protect your connected devices.

Changing default credentials immediately

Your first priority should be replacing those factory-set credentials. Hackers can easily find generic usernames and passwords that come with IoT devices – often as basic as “admin/admin” – in publicly available manuals. A simple password change can make the difference between security and compromise. Each device on your network needs unique, strong passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Enabling two-factor authentication where available

Two-factor authentication adds a crucial security layer to your IoT devices. This security method needs both something you know (password) and something you have (like a phone) or something you are (biometrics). Modern smart home devices support several 2FA options:

SMS verification codes sent to your mobile device
Email verification links
Authentication apps like Google Authenticator
Biometric verification
Smart lock makers August and Schlage build 2FA into their products. These systems need both a digital key and secondary verification through fingerprint or one-time code.

Managing firmware updates effectively

Manufacturers release security patches through firmware updates regularly. Your update strategy should include:

Automatic updates when possible
OTA updates to manage devices remotely
Update testing before full deployment
Configuration file backups in case updates fail

Disabling unnecessary features and services

IoT devices come packed with features you might never use, yet these create security weak points. The core team should identify and disable extras like Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), remote access capabilities, and file transfer protocol (FTP) that aren’t needed. Every active service opens another door for attackers, so a smaller functional footprint reduces your risk substantially.

Protecting Your Network to Keep IoT Devices Secure

Network security is a vital layer in your IoT defense strategy. After securing individual devices, you need to protect the network they connect to. This step creates a detailed IoT security system.

Setting up a dedicated IoT network

A separate network just for your IoT devices will protect your primary network better. This isolation means attackers cannot access your sensitive data or critical systems even if they compromise an IoT device. In fact, a dedicated IoT network creates a protective barrier between vulnerable devices and important information.

Modern routers come with built-in IoT network features that make this process easier. Your primary network can use current protocols without compatibility problems while you manage all connected devices from one place.

Implementing proper network segmentation

Network segmentation takes isolation to the next level by splitting your network into multiple distinct subnets. This approach reduces your attack surface by a lot and keeps potential breaches contained within specific segments. Hackers cannot move sideways through your network even if they compromise an IoT device.
Effective segmentation works with these principles:

Give devices access only to resources they absolutely need
Keep segmentation simple to avoid unnecessary complexity
Use macro-segmentation for logical separation and micro-segmentation for detailed control
Network segmentation plays a key role in IoT security by stopping smart devices from unnecessary communication with each other.

Using strong encryption protocols

Encryption acts as the final network protection layer by making your data unreadable to unauthorized parties. Your IoT networks should have:

TLS/SSL encryption for all communications, preferably TLS version 1.2 or 1.3. This stops data interception between devices and servers. On top of that, AES-128 or AES-256 encryption provides strong protection for sensitive information.

Whatever encryption standards you pick, you should rotate certificates regularly and enable key management services. This maintains strong protection against new threats.

Safeguarding IoT Data from Collection to Storage

Data protection is the third critical dimension in IoT security. IoT devices gather information about our habits, environments, and operations. This makes data security essential to maintain privacy and compliance.

Understanding what data your devices collect

The first step is to identify what information your smart devices gather. IoT devices collect information of all types, including:

Environmental data – temperature, humidity, light, and air quality measurements
Equipment data – system performance, usage patterns, wear indicators, and battery life
Personal information – location tracking, audio recordings, and usage habits
IoT systems create massive data streams that need careful management. You could risk exposing sensitive information if you don’t understand these collection patterns.

Controlling data sharing permissions

The next step is to set up strict access controls to protect collected data. The principle of least privilege works best here – each device, user, or service should get access to only the minimum data needed for its function.

AWS IoT Core policies help you control which devices can publish messages and subscribe to specific topics. Microsoft’s IoT Hub uses shared access policies to set different permission levels (ServiceConnect, DeviceConnect, RegistryRead).

Custom permissions with specific filters help separate customer data streams. This approach deepens your security and reduces the effect of potential breaches. Your IoT network can work as a multi-tenant broker without any risk of cross-contamination.

Encrypting sensitive information

Encryption is your last line of defense against data breaches. Cybercriminals can get sensitive information or listen to network communications when data isn’t encrypted. You need encryption at two key points:

Data at rest – Encrypt information stored on physical devices or in databases when not in use
Data in transit – Use Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 or higher to secure device connections
Encryption protects data integrity, secures communication channels, and safeguards user privacy. X.509 certificates are the best choice for device authentication as they offer better security than shared access tokens.

Safeguarding IoT Devices: Technologies Behind Fidelis Security’s Approach

Technology DescriptionRelevance to IoT Security

FIDELIS DECEPTIONAutomatically detects and classifies all network assets, including IoT devices. It maps their connections and creates decoys using “breadcrumbs” to mislead attackers. The decoy environment updates dynamically. Tricks hackers into interacting with fake assets, reducing the likelihood of real IoT device compromise and offering early detection of malicious activity. Fidelis Network®A component of Fidelis Elevate XDR, this tool uses deep session inspection, behavioral analysis, and machine learning to detect anomalies in IoT communications. It can analyze encrypted traffic without decryption.Identifies threats in encrypted and unencrypted traffic, offers visibility into diverse IoT ecosystems, and reduces alert fatigue with grouped alerts.Behavioral AnalysisEstablishes baselines of expected IoT device behavior and flags deviations such as abnormal access attempts or unusual data flows.Enables early detection of threats by identifying unusual behaviors specific to IoT operations.Machine LearningEmploys unsupervised models (e.g., autoencoders) to detect anomalies without predefined signatures. Adapts to evolving patterns within complex environments.Strengthens detection of subtle or emerging threats in constantly changing IoT setups.Automated ResponseAutomatically initiates containment measures like isolating compromised IoT devices or capturing forensic data for investigation.Critical for rapid threat containment in IoT environments, where attacks can spread quickly and manual responses may be too slow.

Secure your IoT ecosystem with Fidelis Security’s advanced detection and deception technologies.
Protect your network, devices, and data from evolving cyber threats—automatically and intelligently.
Gain visibility, enforce security, and respond faster with our integrated XDR platform.
Contact us today.

Frequently Ask Questions

How can I ensure my IoT devices are secure?

To secure your IoT devices, start by changing default credentials, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly updating firmware. Additionally, implement network segmentation, use strong encryption protocols, and control data sharing permissions. Regular security audits and understanding what data your devices collect are also crucial steps.

What are the main security risks associated with IoT devices?

The primary security risks for IoT devices include weak default credentials, outdated firmware, insecure web interfaces, and hardware vulnerabilities. Attackers often exploit these weaknesses to steal data, disrupt operations, or hijack devices for botnet attacks. The financial impact of IoT security failures can be substantial, with an average cost of $330,000 per incident.

Why is network segmentation important for IoT security?

Network segmentation is crucial for IoT security as it divides your network into multiple distinct subnets. This strategy significantly reduces the attack surface and contains potential breaches within specific segments. It prevents lateral movement by hackers who might otherwise use a compromised IoT device to access your entire network.

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