The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming industries across the globe, from manufacturing to healthcare, by enhancing automation, improving efficiency, and providing real-time insights. However, with this increasing connectivity comes a growing risk of cyberattacks. As more devices connect to the internet, the attack surface expands, creating more opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit.

In cybersecurity, the "attack surface" refers to all potential entry points an attacker could use to breach a system. This includes physical devices, networks, cloud platforms, and even human errors. For companies, managing this complexity is one of the biggest challenges in safeguarding their IoT infrastructure. So, how can businesses minimize their IoT attack surface and bolster their security defenses? Let’s explore some practical strategies to help companies strengthen their defenses.

1. Maintain an Updated Device Inventory

One of the biggest issues faced by security teams today is not knowing which IoT devices are connected to their networks. Studies show that 80% of security teams struggle to identify most IoT devices in their environment. Without an accurate inventory of connected devices, it’s nearly impossible to safeguard your network from cyberattacks.

Tracking IoT devices can be a challenge because traditional IT tools weren’t designed with IoT in mind. Many network monitoring systems overlook important IoT traffic due to encryption or lack of distinct identifiers. To address this, companies should use tools specifically designed for IoT environments. These tools can provide detailed information about devices, including credentials, firmware versions, and running services, helping identify vulnerabilities and secure the network effectively.

2. Strengthen Password Security

Many IoT devices still ship with default usernames and passwords, which remain unchanged by users, leaving the devices vulnerable to attacks. Shockingly, about 70% of IoT devices continue to use these factory-set credentials, making them prime targets for hackers.

To reduce the risk, companies should enforce strong, unique passwords for each device. Ideally, these passwords should be updated regularly, ideally every 30 to 90 days. For older devices that don’t support modern password standards, upgrading to newer models with better security features is a prudent solution.

3. Keep Firmware Up to Date

Outdated firmware is one of the easiest ways for attackers to compromise IoT devices. With the average IoT device’s firmware being six years old, and millions of devices no longer supported by their manufacturers, unpatched devices are prime targets for malware and other cyber threats.

Regularly updating firmware and applying security patches is crucial. This can be particularly challenging for large organizations with many devices, but there are platforms available to automate the update process across an enterprise. In some cases, it may even be necessary to temporarily downgrade firmware if a new version has a known vulnerability, until a patch is available.

4. Deploy Firewalls and Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)

Firewalls are still essential in any security strategy, especially for IoT networks. Properly configured firewalls filter out malicious traffic and block unauthorized access, while intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) monitor for unusual activity in real-time. Using next-generation firewalls that support deep packet inspection and IoT-specific protocols can help block threats before they cause damage.

5. Limit Unnecessary Connections and Network Access

IoT devices often come with multiple network features turned on by default, such as Bluetooth, Telnet, and SSH, which hackers can exploit. To secure devices, disable unnecessary features and services. For example, use SSH instead of Telnet, opt for wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, and disable Bluetooth when not in use.

Limiting external communication is also crucial. Restricting traffic with firewalls, VLANs, and access control lists helps reduce the potential attack surface.

6. Protect Data in Transit and at Rest

IoT devices often handle sensitive information, such as financial transactions or medical records, making it essential to ensure that this data is protected. Unencrypted data is vulnerable to interception and tampering.

To safeguard data, companies should use secure communication protocols like TLS 1.3 for end-to-end encryption and switch to HTTPS and SFTP rather than outdated protocols like HTTP and FTP.

7. Regular Monitoring and Auditing

Proactive monitoring is key to identifying vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them. External vulnerability scans can simulate how an attacker would view your system, identifying open ports, outdated software, and exposed services. Regular scans provide valuable insights, helping businesses prioritize remediation efforts and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Minimizing your IoT attack surface doesn’t need to be an overwhelming task. By implementing practical strategies like maintaining an updated device inventory, strengthening password security, regularly updating firmware, deploying firewalls, limiting unnecessary connections, and monitoring your network proactively, companies can significantly reduce their vulnerability to cyber threats.

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate risk, these tactics make it far more difficult for attackers to succeed. By integrating robust security measures into their IoT strategy, businesses can build trust with customers, ensure reliable operations, and stay ahead of potential cyber threats in an increasingly connected world.