As ioT Smart Home Devices are added to your home or business, precautions should be made to protect your network from "Prying Eyes" and possible intrusion. Most users are not aware of the exposure that they are opening up on their home/business network by adding smart devices. Many of these smart devices are manufactured in China, and are connecting to servers in China for functionality and operation. When accounts are created for the various smart devices that are being installed, the company servers are most likely situated in China, for the devices that are manufactured there as well. Once your smart devices are operational and, on your network, most devices have a "persistent network connection" to the associated smart device servers. Information from your smart devices is being stored on their servers, so you can control your devices or retrieve information and data related to your smart devices.
Many governments in the G8 are reluctant, or totally forbid their telecommunication companies from installing equipment made by Huawei, a Chinese telecom manufacturer, for upcoming 5G cellular deployment, because they don’t trust the communist Chinese regime. The G8 countries feel back door access could be built into these systems and our telecommunication systems could be jeopardized at any time in the future. Installing ioT devices, most made in China, should also be a “wake up call” for most people that are concerned about network security. IoT devices are not regulated by our governments like the telecommunication industry is , as a result, we’re unfortunately all living in the “Wild West”, as far as security is concerned.
Many ioT devices that are designed and manufactured around the world are not made with security in mind. Their manufacturers are not updating the firmware on the devices, or most likely not notifying their customers that new firmware is available. Once users install their smart devices, as long as the devices continue to function properly, there is no motivation for them to check for new firmware availability. By not updating firmware, this could lead to possible security vulnerabilities. As a result, network intrusion could be possible through these unsecured smart devices.
A mental calculation or physical inventory should be made by all households to find out how many smart devices have been installed into your home, to determine if your network could be subject to intrusion or compromise. What should you consider an ioT smart device? Smart TV’s, Amazon Echo or Show products, Google Home devices, smart thermostats like the Nest, smart light bulbs, smart light switches or electrical plugs, Ring Doorbell devices, security systems including cameras - smoke alarms - door sensors, smart refrigerators or washers, smart door locks, the list is almost endless. It only takes one device from an unreputable company, to put your computing and network security in jeopardy.
What can we do for you?
ioT Audit
In the audit process, a software-based tool will be used to detect all your smart home devices in your home or business. All devices will be tabulated and their current firmware versions will be checked to determine if revised versions are available. The smart devices will be updated if newer firmware is available.
An ioT isolation strategy involving changes to your network, will be presented to you so all your smart devices are separated from your main network, where all your computing devices reside.
Many governments in the G8 are reluctant, or totally forbid their telecommunication companies from installing equipment made by Huawei, a Chinese telecom manufacturer, for upcoming 5G cellular deployment, because they don’t trust the communist Chinese regime. The G8 countries feel back door access could be built into these systems and our telecommunication systems could be jeopardized at any time in the future. Installing ioT devices, most made in China, should also be a “wake up call” for most people that are concerned about network security. IoT devices are not regulated by our governments like the telecommunication industry is , as a result, we’re unfortunately all living in the “Wild West”, as far as security is concerned.
Many ioT devices that are designed and manufactured around the world are not made with security in mind. Their manufacturers are not updating the firmware on the devices, or most likely not notifying their customers that new firmware is available. Once users install their smart devices, as long as the devices continue to function properly, there is no motivation for them to check for new firmware availability. By not updating firmware, this could lead to possible security vulnerabilities. As a result, network intrusion could be possible through these unsecured smart devices.
A mental calculation or physical inventory should be made by all households to find out how many smart devices have been installed into your home, to determine if your network could be subject to intrusion or compromise. What should you consider an ioT smart device? Smart TV’s, Amazon Echo or Show products, Google Home devices, smart thermostats like the Nest, smart light bulbs, smart light switches or electrical plugs, Ring Doorbell devices, security systems including cameras - smoke alarms - door sensors, smart refrigerators or washers, smart door locks, the list is almost endless. It only takes one device from an unreputable company, to put your computing and network security in jeopardy.
What can we do for you?
ioT Audit
In the audit process, a software-based tool will be used to detect all your smart home devices in your home or business. All devices will be tabulated and their current firmware versions will be checked to determine if revised versions are available. The smart devices will be updated if newer firmware is available.
An ioT isolation strategy involving changes to your network, will be presented to you so all your smart devices are separated from your main network, where all your computing devices reside.
