The Internet of Things is connecting more and more devices every day.
People are connecting more and more devices to the internet and transforming their homes into smart homes. Reducing the electric bill with smart lighting and other smart devices.
Furthermore new trends will allow cars to connect with smart city infrastructure. Allowing an entirely different ecosystem for the driver. This will make driving from A to B a lot more efficient.
Nowadays people are connecting a lot of healthcare devices to get a deeper understanding of their own health.
These devices and their benefits come with a potential risk. As these connected devices give hackers and cyber criminals more entry points.
Late last year, a group of hackers took down a power grid in a region of western Ukraine to cause the first blackout from a cyber-attack. And this is likely just the beginning, as these hackers are looking for more ways to strike critical infrastructure, such as power grids, hydroelectric dams, chemical plants, and more.
We as consumers are getting more and more concerned about our privacy. But connecting almost all our devices to the internet increases the risk of conserving our privacy.
That is why the article by Tech insider: ‘How the Internet of Things will affect security & privacy’ compiled a list of some of the biggest IoT security issues.
IoT Security Issues
1. Public Perception: people are getting very concerned about the possibility of their information getting stolen.
2. Vulnerability to Hacking: researchers have been able to hack in the security of Samsung’s SmartThings smart home platform.
3. Are Companies Ready: A survey by AT&T Cybersecurity Insights reports that from the 5.000 enterprises questioned, about 10% feels confident that they could secure smart devices against hackers.
4. True Security: Companies need to build security into software applications and network connections that links to smart devices.
IoT Privacy Issues
1. Too Much Data: smart devices create a lot of data. This gives hackers the opportunity to leave sensitive information vulnerable.
2. Unwanted Public Profile: by connecting these new devices you would have agreed that the information that you make could be sold to other parties like insurances. These parties will then use your private data to create an insurance to your life style. This can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on your lifestyle ofcoure.
3. Eavesdropping: by lack of security, manufacturers or hackers could use a connected device to invade your home.
4. Consumer Confidence: by carefully assessing this risks can prevent consumers from buying IoT and therefore letting it go mainstream.
When using IoT we must consider the potential risks that come with them. Companies providing these technologies must incorporate security and privacy into their strategy.
We as consumers must get more conscience about the potential risk these new smart devices are subject to.
http://www.businessinsider.com/internet-of-things-security-privacy-2016-8?international=true&r=US&IR=T
You discuss large cyber attacks as a starting point for attacking critical parts of our infrastructure. These are large attacks sure, but are not exactly examples of attacks on IoT. As with many consumer applications, the desire to hack such a device of a single user is generally only present for the more prominent people in society. The VIPs if you will. If hackers truly target you, very few security measures can protect you in a foolproof manner. Your privacy issues are very valid. However, whether these issues are linked to IoT only? Consider any social medium, all these issues are still, if not more, present.