Best Practices for Creating a Secure IoT Network Ecosystem

Ever glance at your growing mound of smart gadgets and think to yourself, How secure is all this stuff, really?

Yeah, me too. And let me tell you, more often than not, the answer is: Not very.

I’ve worked in networking and security since the early ’90s. We used to worry about things like punch-down blocks and muxing voice over PSTN lines. Now? Everything is on the internet — your thermostat, your fridge, your lightbulbs. And while convenience is good, unsecure IoT is a hacker’s dream.

I’ve seen this firsthand, from the Slammer worm bringing systems to their knees to recently hardening three banks’ zero-trust architecture. Which IoT thing scares the bejesus out of you? Most people don’t even understand how vulnerable they are.

Let’s fix that.

Main Two Challenges for IoT Security

IoT devices are ubiquitous, they streamline our day-to-day lives, which in turn creates significant security vulnerabilities. Here’s why:

• Poor Built-in Security: Most IoT manufacturers focus more on comfort than security. Devices come with weak default passwords (if they have authentication at all) and outdated firmware.
• Unsecured Communication: A large number of IoT devices do not encrypt the data they send. Which means it can be snatched up by anyone with network access.
• Lack of Regular Updates: Unlike mainstream OSes, IoT firmware updates, when they’re released at all, happen infrequently. Security patches? Often an afterthought.
• The Default Credentials & Hardcoded Backdoors: Some devices are still using admin/admin as default login creds. Let that sink in.
• Increased Attack Surface: Each connected device is an additional gateway into your network. Sure, your company’s firewall may be rock solid, but if your smart office printer is hacked? The attacker is in already.

And speaking of another of my favorite nightmare scenarios, botnets such as Mirai commandeering unsecured IoT devices for use in ginormous DDoS attacks.

If you really want to protect your IoT ecosystem, be it at home or in an enterprise, then it’s time to be proactive.

Secure IoT Best Practices

So here’s what I tell the businesses or individuals who really want to lock down their IoT environment:

1. Network Segmentation: The First Step

IoT devices should never be on the same network as your critical systems.

• For IoT consider VLAN or different SSID
• Isolate IoT from your core business network. Therefore, in the event of an IoT device being compromised, attackers should not have direct access to sensitive data.
• Put in place firewall rules to prevent IoT devices from communicating with things they aren’t supposed to.

2. Immediately Change the Default Credentials

This should be self-evident, but it somehow isn’t.

• Change default usernames and passwords before a device ever connects to the internet.
• Use complex passwords (not Admin123!) or, better yet, a password-manager-generated passphrase.
• If an IoT device won’t allow you to change its default credentials? Don’t buy it.

3. Patch & Update Regularly

Okay, I know — updating IoT firmware is a hassle. Do it anyway.

• Sign up for vendor security alerts.
• Install updates immediately (or automate it if you can).
• If the manufacturer no longer supports it: If the manufacturer of your smart doorbell hasn’t released any updates in two years, that’s a vulnerability.

4. Encrypt Data in Transit with Strong Encryption

It’s insane how much IoT traffic continues to be transited unencrypted.

• Make sure IoT devices support TLS for data in transit.
• Turn off deprecated or insecure protocols such as WEP or old SSL versions.
• If a device will only use antiquated security protocols? That’s a hard no from me.

5. Implement Zero Trust for IoT

Perimeter security is dead — more so with IoT. This assumes everything inside the network is compromised until otherwise validated.

• Use multi-factor authentication, where possible.
• Limit communication between devices. Your smart TV has no business talking to your VoIP system.
• Use least privilege strategies. Make each device do just what it must: Just what it must.

6. Monitor, Monitor, Monitor

You cannot protect what you cannot see. Log everything.

• Implement SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solution to identify abnormal IoT behavior.
• Deploy network monitoring systems such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) to detect anomalies in real-time.
• Configure alerts for unauthorized access attempts.

If a refrigerator suddenly begins pinging another country? You want to know about this yesterday.

Case Studies: What Happens When IoT Security Fails

1. How an Office Printer Became an Attack Vector

A Mumbai-based mid-sized enterprise discovered its unsecured network printer — an expensive Internet of things-enabled device that allowed for remote access. Unfortunately, it was also susceptible to a known exploit.

An attacker gained a foothold there, traversed the internal network, and exfiltrated proprietary client data. The kicker? Nobody even realized the printer was reachable from the internet.

2. The Bank With Internet-Connected Door Locks That Almost Caused a Disaster

Door locks connected via Wi-Fi, for example — one of the banks I worked with had them. The security team thought they were locked down — until we put them to the test. Turns out they were using an open API without authentication.

A basic script could open every branch office door from a distance. Let that sink in.

Future-Proofing IoT Security

IoT isn’t going anywhere. As networks broaden, firms should not merely be dealing with the threats of today, but also planning five years ahead.

Steps to Stay Ahead

• Adopt AI-driven anomaly detection cautiously – Sure, AI can help to discover patterns but this is no reason to fully trust any AI-powered security solution. At least not yet.
• Pushing For Regulatory Standards – Governments and industry bodies also must impose tougher regulations on IoT security.
• Train employees – Security can only go as far as the people using it. Employees believe Alexa for Business is not a security risk? That needs to change.
• Protected supply chains — Weaknesses in third-party parts of an IoT solution can be significant attack vectors. When buying hardware, do your homework.

Locking Down IoT: Quick Take in 30 Seconds

• Network Segmentation – Isolate IoT.
• Default Changes — No more business of admin/admin.
• Firmware Patching — If you don’t patch it, it’s vulnerable.
• Encrypt Everything — No plaintext in transit, ever.
• Zero Trust Everything — Even your coffee maker.
• You can’t stop what you don’t see – Log & Monitor.

Final Thoughts

Tired? Yes.

Annoyed that we still have to discuss default passwords in 2024? Oh, absolutely.

But the effort to secure IoT is worthwhile. Whether this is for a handful of smart devices at home or for smart devices in thousands in an enterprise, it is doable. You just need the right mindset — act as if everything is compromised until you can prove otherwise.

And keep in mind — your network is only as strong as your weakest device. Don’t let it be the Wi-Fi-enabled coffee maker.