How can you Build trust across network domains in IoT devices?

In the coming future, we might see billions of devices getting connected to the internet. Gartner says that 6.4 billion things will be connected to the internet in 2016 itself. Even though IoT is considered to be a huge digital revolution, it must be secured for its value to be realized.

Consider a scary scenario where an attacker is impersonating a valid user and is able to access data or perform an operation. Or a scenario where another person is observing your authentication pattern while you unlock your car with your phone and gains access to it.

With the advent of IoT and smart devices, there is an alarming increase in the potential opportunities for hackers to steal valuable information ranging from personal data to any intellectual or confidential data. In the wider context of IoT, we can say, device authentication has become more prevalent and necessary.

This means ensuring the users of a device are who they say they are and have the authorized credentials to access the information thereafter. It also includes an understanding what kind of IoT devices we are dealing with. This is because, if you are not sure of the IoT device you are using, then you won't be able to protect your sensitive sensor data or transactions.

With several recent high-profile cyber security attack cases of TalkTalk and Ashley Maddison, it has become important that enterprises assure their customers about the security of networks and build trust in their minds.

In this blog, I present you the measures that you can take to reduce these fraudulent acts within IoT:

1.   Focus on Identity Assurance

IoT network and security designers must first establish the identity assurance requirements of their IoT devices. The assurance or the trust level requirements can vary from device to device, organization to organization. It depends upon the type of application, strength of network or sensitivity of data. You could also examine different IoT device life cycle phases to determine identity assurance requirements at each phase. IoT security designers must use a risk-adaptive approach to determine the phase that requires authentication mechanism. Detection of compromised devices or unidentified users on the network can also be improved through this approach.

2.   Design an Authentication Framework

An IoT framework is complex. It includes heterogeneous devices and identity profiles. Hence, it is necessary to design a trust evaluation and authentication framework to validate all the entities in the network and enable devices to interact securely within and outside the domain.

3.   Choose from Existing Methods

Many IAM planners today are choosing existing methodologies to deliver security policies for governing authentication mechanisms. One such technology is PKI, a popular and widely accepted basis for M2M authentication. It provides cross-platform and multiprotocol approach. Manufacturers and authentication vendors require such technology that can offer cross-platform authentication support for nearly all IoT operating platforms available for commercial as well as enterprise use.

In order for the IoT to truly reach its potential, consumer trust must remain prevalent. Using these techniques, you can provide your customers with a secure connectivity and increase trust in your brand.