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Issues related to security protection involved in IoT devices are no longer just technical issues that professional IT personnel are concerned about. Starting from cameras used in homes to sensors used in industrial fields, these so-called "smart" devices are gradually becoming the primary targets of cyberattacks. The vulnerabilities they contain are very likely to directly lead to the leakage of personal privacy, and even lead to interruptions in the production process, and even lead to national security risks. To ensure the security of these devices, we need to start with understanding the core risks, then master specific methods, and finally follow best practices to establish a systematic cognitive framework.

What common security threats do IoT devices face?

The security threats faced by IoT devices are diverse and specific. Unauthorized access is one of the most common threat scenarios. Attackers often use the factory default passwords or weak passwords to easily control the devices. What is even more serious and disadvantageous is that many devices lack regular security updates after they are released, which allows known software vulnerabilities to persist for a long time and then become exploitable. A large-scale empirical study shows that over the past two decades, more than 1,700 IoT-related vulnerabilities have been recorded in authoritative vulnerability databases, of which high-risk vulnerabilities account for more than 60%. Once these vulnerabilities are exploited, it is very likely to cause data leakage, system paralysis, and even cause equipment to be manipulated to launch large-scale network attacks.

As for risks at the physical level, in addition to remote attacks, they cannot be ignored. An attacker can gain direct access to the device, tamper with it, or even destroy the device itself. The risks in the network connection and data transmission process are more subtle. For example, the device may automatically connect to an unsecured "phishing" Wi-Fi, which may lead to data being monitored or stolen. It should be noted that attack methods are becoming increasingly professional, such as "defense evasion" attacks that abuse legal system tools to evade monitoring, and have become one of the most important attack methods currently.

How to set up basic security for your home IoT devices

To build a secure line of defense for home IoT devices, you must start with several key steps. First, the most effective step is to immediately change the default passwords on all devices and set strong passwords. At the same time, make it a habit to regularly check and install device firmware and security updates. When buying new equipment, you should give priority to brand products from formal channels and with safety commitments, and pay attention to whether the manufacturer has clearly stated a continuous security support cycle. For example, Australia's new regulations clearly stipulate that the security update support period cannot be less than five years after the product is discontinued.

Proper network management can greatly reduce risks. It is recommended that for IoT devices, use an independent guest network to isolate it from the main network where important personal computers and mobile phones are stored. Turn off unnecessary remote access functions on the device, and be cautious about connecting to unfamiliar public Wi-Fi networks. For sensitive devices such as smart cameras, you should consider physically blocking the lens or cutting off power when not in use. These basic but crucial habits are the first barrier to building personal digital security.

How enterprises build a layered IoT security architecture

For enterprises, the IoT security challenges they face are more complex, so they need to build a multi-layer protection system covering devices, networks, data and applications. Within the scope of the device layer, it is necessary to force changes to those default credentials and enable hardware-level security features for the device, such as secure boot and tamper-proof mechanisms. At the network layer, encryption protocols such as TLS should be used to protect data transmission, and IoT devices should be isolated from other core systems through network segmentation, namely VLANs and industrial firewalls, to prevent horizontal spread of attacks.

At the data and application levels, it is critical to implement strong access control, including the use of multi-factor authentication and strict API security management. Enterprises must also build a vulnerability management process throughout the entire life cycle, continuously monitor assets, and conduct regular vulnerability scans. A cutting-edge concept is to introduce a "zero trust" architecture, the core of which is not trusting any device inside or outside the network, and strictly verifying every access request. This is particularly suitable for modern enterprise environments with numerous and complex types of IoT devices.

What the latest IoT security standards and regulations require

Globally, IoT security is accelerating from best practices to regulatory enforcement. Australia officially promulgated the "Smart Device Security Standard" regulations in 2025, which clearly states that if universal default passwords are prohibited, a vulnerability disclosure mechanism is established, and security update obligations are defined during the product life cycle, manufacturers and distributors must provide a compliance statement, otherwise they may face high fines. This regulation is similar to the European Union's EN 303 645 standard, which heralds the trend of global standards convergence.

At the level of technical standards, the International Internet Engineering Task Force, also known as IETF, released the RFC 9761 standard in 2025, which expanded the security description framework for IoT devices. The standard sets conditions that allow manufacturers to define detailed network security behavior policies for devices, such as stipulating that they can only use the TLS 1.3 protocol and connect to specific server domain names, so that network devices such as firewalls can automatically execute security policies and achieve a "safety out of the factory" situation. These regulations and standards are changing the design logic of equipment and the attribution of safety responsibilities from the root.

Why default passwords and software updates are crucial

In the IoT security chain, default passwords and software updates are the most vulnerable and critical links. Attackers often first try to use factory default credentials such as "admin/admin" to carry out intrusions. Numerous botnets (like Mirai) use this to control millions of devices. Survey data conducted in Australia shows that up to 78% of IoT device vulnerabilities originate from unchanged default passwords or weak vulnerability response mechanisms. As a result, the mandatory setting of a unique password at first startup has become a core requirement of the new regulations.

The importance of software updates also goes without saying. IoT devices have a long life cycle, but software vulnerabilities will continue to be discovered. The lack of security updates means that the device will be permanently exposed to known risks. Attackers will focus on high-risk vulnerabilities that have been disclosed but not patched. For example, Solr and system vulnerabilities have been continuously exploited on a large scale. Therefore, it has become the responsibility of manufacturers to build a reliable vulnerability reporting and repair mechanism and promise to provide long-term security update support.

How to achieve full life cycle security of the Internet of Things from design to deployment

To achieve effective IoT security, we must implement the concept of "security starts with design" and integrate this concept into every stage from development, deployment to maintenance. From the beginning of the design, low-level security functions such as hardware root of trust, secure boot, and secure key storage should be integrated, just like using PUF technology. Safe coding practices need to be followed during the development process, and strict security testing of APIs must be carried out.

During the deployment phase, the principle of least privilege and network micro-segmentation should be implemented, and all data in transit should be encrypted. For enterprises, it is of vital significance to build a comprehensive asset inventory and continuous monitoring system, so that abnormal equipment or network behavior can be discovered in a timely manner. During the maintenance cycle, it is important to establish an automated patch management process. A more critical point is that the system should have the ability to "elastic recovery", that is, it can quickly and reliably recover to a known safe state after suffering damage. This is more realistic and effective than pursuing absolute immunity.

When faced with the increasingly severe threats to IoT security, which type of risk are you most worried about at the moment (such as privacy leaks, home equipment being manipulated, or corporate production interruptions)? To deal with this risk, what is the first specific measure you have taken or are planning to take? You are very welcome to share your own opinions and experiences in the comment area. If you feel that this article is helpful, please give it a like to show your support.