An IoT framework is an approach that defines the components, protocols and processes required for developers to build and operate IoT systems effectively. So to speak, it serves as a blueprint for the development, deployment and management of IoT devices and applications, and a foundation for developers who don’t want to build a solution from scratch. This can prove particularly beneficial for building and scaling products.
Considerations – picking an IoT framework
When picking an IoT framework, businesses have the option between adopting an open-source framework and a proprietary one. Both have their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Open-source frameworks are useful because they’re developed and maintained by a community of developers and are available to the public. The source code itself is open which means users can view, modify and distribute the code. Users also have control over the software which allows them to customise the framework to meet their needs.
Proprietary frameworks, meanwhile, can be differentiated from open source because they’re built, owned and maintained by a company or vendor. The open source is closed and users can’t modify it; instead, they rely on the vendors for updates, customisations and support.
Although users have less control over the framework, they benefit from the vendor’s support and updates, as the vendor will manage security patches and features.
Security challenges
Because an IoT framework has so many layers and moving parts, it can face a number of security risks which include unauthorised access, data breaches and device manipulation.
Recent research from cybersecurity firm Bridewell showed that six in ten businesses in the finance sector have experienced a ransomware attack in the past year, a call for the sector to “fortify its cyber defences,” said Anthony Young, CEO of Bridewell in the announcement. The scale of ransomware attacks to an industry vulnerable to these attacks, hammers home this point about the risks and challenges businesses are facing.
Because IoT devices often collect and transmit sensitive data like personal information and financial transactions, the potential for this data to be intercepted or accessed by unauthorised parties can have dire consequences.
The centralised nature of IoT systems increases this risk as the transmission of data across different networks and locations like the Cloud offer a potential targeting point for cyber criminals.
The network infrastructure supporting an IoT framework is another target for cyber criminals. They can be vulnerable to attacks such as man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, eavesdropping and jamming. u-blox alluded to the risks posed by jamming attacks in announcing a firmware update to its GNSS module.
Strategies for securing an IoT framework
Addressing these security risks can be done through developing a comprehensive security strategy. Implementing device authentication and encryption, for example, ensures only authorised devices can access the network. Public key infrastructure (PKI) and mutual authentication protocols can verify the identity of devices before they’re allowed to communicate with the network. End-to-end encryption makes sure that if data is intercepted it can’t be read by unauthorised parties.
Regular firmware updates, as demonstrated by u-blox, is a must for devices to address security vulnerabilities. The evolution of the threat landscape has shown that the same threats aren’t constant; cyber criminals are on the lookout for potential ways into networks and devices. In an episode of IoT Unplugged, Christopher Schouten, Senior Director of IoT security at Kudelski IoT, in response to whether he saw any patterns in cyber attacks, said: “This is something I frequently asked our security labs to give me advice on … The answer to me for the last few years has been the same: ‘We don’t see any two gaps that are the same among different devices’.”
Network segmentation can help to contain the spread of an attack and limit its attack, although this is arguably a more reactive approach to cybersecurity, and a general shift in the industry has seen a proactive approach – securing devices and networks before they experience a broach – become more commonly adopted.
Conclusion
Building an IoT framework requires a careful balance of hardware, software, network infrastructure, and security protocols. By addressing potential security challenges and risks and implementing best practices for protecting devices and networks, businesses are reducing the consequences seen of successful cyber attacks. The best IoT framework doesn’t forget about security.
There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by commenting below or visiting our LinkedIn page.
