IoT Security Concerns

The growth of the Internet of Things will have serious complications for security, experts have claimed.

18:05 11 January 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to grow even more in the next 2-5 years, with recent predictions suggesting that more than 50 billion devices will be connected to the internet by 2020. This will result in huge amounts of data about consumer and business activity.

 

This growth will more likely to result in security problems, experts have claimed. Ian M, a risk management expert at the National Cyber Security Centre, said: “Connected devices are basically small computers. But these devices don’t always have the capacity to offer the same security protections as, say, your desktop computer.”

 

However, steps are being taken to avoid security problems. Steven Macdonald, marketing director UK & Eire at Hoover Candy Group, says: “Most (manufacturers) have already started working on data security that will meet the new data protection law coming into play next year (the General Data Protection Regulation), so a lot is being done across the board to make sure consumers’ data is safe, in the right hands and used as a way to improve everyday household."

 

Users can also take proven effective steps to keep their data secure. These include installing the latest software and app updates, using strong passwords and taking extra precautions when using public WiFi.