9
Jun, 2017
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How the Convenience of The Internet of Things Can Come Back to Bite Us

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While the Internet of Things has made many common tasks much easier through automation, it has also increased the potency of particular cybersecurity threats. For an excellent example, one only has to turn to the increasing prevalence of botnets that are powered by IoT technology.

An Overview of the IoT, and Why It’s Great For Botnets
If you wear a fitness tracker that automatically syncs to your phone, or have an Internet-connected security camera watching your house, you are utilizing the Internet of Things. Usually labelled as ‘connected’ or ‘smart,’ these devices collect data and process that data via a connection to the Internet.

While these devices have proven to be very useful, there is a major problem with them that seems to be present throughout the IoT: a noticeable lack of security measures. Combining this lack of security precautions with their need to connect to the Internet creates the ideal conditions for a botnet to gather.

A botnet pools the resources of a large network of infected devices to overcome the target’s security through a brute force attack. The attack on Dyn that made dozens of the web’s most popular sites go dark was a botnet, proving that this method of attack is no joke.

A New-ish Face on the Scene
While there is no shortage of botnets already, a new derivative of the infamous Mirai is using the same IP cameras to infect thousands of devices in China. This particular botnet has been named Persirai, and is just one of many that warrant concern.

For example, there is another botnet that Kaspersky Lab has concluded to have infected about 300,000 IoT devices. While this botnet, codenamed Hajime, is still dormant, it could potentially rival Mirai if it were to meet the expectations of security experts and become active.

Keeping Your Business Safe
Luckily, there are a few ways you can help to reduce the impact that a botnet can have on your business. A good rule of thumb is to follow business continuity best practices. As an example, your business data shouldn’t only be kept in one place. An offsite backup solution will allow you data to be preserved if you ever are assaulted by a botnet. It always helps to have a firewall solution in place as well, as they can mitigate some botnet attacks.

If you need help protecting your business against the vulnerabilities that the IoT creates, give us a call at NuTech Services. Call us at 810.230.9455 to get started.

12
Feb, 2016
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A Look at the Glue That Holds the Internet of Things Together

b2ap3_thumbnail_radio_narrow_band_400.jpgWith millions of new and exciting devices connecting to the Internet every day, the Internet of Things is an IT trend that has the potential to dramatically improve society. Yet, the most significant change brought about by the IoT may actually come from devices that aren’t really that exciting.

Even though sexy devices like smartphones, smart cars, and smart homes are getting all the press when it comes to IoT, it’s the forgotten-about, behind-the-scenes devices which drive the IoT forward, like gas meters, water gauges, trash cans, soil moisture sensors, and more. Instead of having these devices be used to download the latest apps and post to social media, they’re primarily tasked with a singular purpose, like collecting and transmitting data so that work can get done more efficiently.

Devices like these actually present a unique technical challenge: how does one connect these devices to the Internet in such a way that little (if any) maintenance is required (like swapping out a device’s battery), and in locations without a reliable Internet connection? Having these devices achieve such requirements is necessary in order to enjoy the desired benefits. Otherwise, implementing small IoT devices on a wide scale wouldn’t be worth it, due to the expense of providing power, device maintenance, and Internet coverage to remote places. For example, installing an Internet-connected gas meter to a log cabin in the middle of the woods would prove most difficult due to poor 3G coverage, and it would be inconvenient to send a technician to service the meter. How then does one equip important IoT devices to hard-to-reach areas?

The answer lies in narrowband Internet of Things technology (NB-IoT), a development that allows for billions of obscure devices to be connected to the Internet, earning it the reputation by experts as “the glue that holds the IoT together.” NetworkComputing explains:

NB-IoT, originally called the cellular Internet of Things, is an emerging industry solution designed to enhance the global deployment of low-power wide area (LPWA) networks. Through licensed operator spectrum, in-band, guard band and standalone deployments, NB-IoT can provide connectivity to devices in hard to reach places without requiring much power to do so.

The ways that NB-IoT technology expands the IoT breaks down barriers and opens up a whole new world of Internet connectivity. Think for a moment about IoT devices in basements deep underground, or even attached to buried pipes, or about those on islands that lie beyond the services of normal infrastructure. NetworkComputing cites further examples:

This is where NB-IoT and LPWA technology come in, because they can provide a long-range mobile connection with low power consumption. This combination of connectivity and low-power needs means a utility company can install connected flow meters around a water distribution network to automatically detect leaks without worrying about whether or not the sensor will work.

This is just one example of how technology can provide organizations with new possibilities of productivity. At NuTech Services, we’re excited about how the IoT has the potential to dramatically change things, and with more than five million devices being added to the Internet every day, you’re going to want to fully leverage the IoT for your business. The best way to do this is to have a technology professional in your corner who has the know-how you need to succeed. Give us a call at 810.230.9455 and let’s discuss ways that technology can expand your business to new horizons.

26
Jun, 2015
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The Internet of Things is the Next Big Thing, Are You Ready?

b2ap3_thumbnail_internet_of_things_security_400.jpgWhat comes to mind when you think about the Internet of Things? Tech enthusiasts around the world see hordes of connected devices taking advantage of mobile technologies to augment everyday life; but the realist sees a horde of devices that pose a considerable threat to network security. How can your business ensure maximum security in the face of such a phenomenon?

As explained by Gartner’s IT glossary, “The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects that contain embedded technology to communicate and sense or interact with their internal states or the external environment.” This means that the more devices connecting to the Internet, the more likely security is to take a hit. This is further augmented by the fact that most IoT devices are designed to communicate with each other, increasing the risk of data leakage.

Modern businesses need to prepare their networks for the Internet of Things before data loss and compromisation come into the picture. Your organization should take an active, proactive role in its network security, especially when it comes to sensitive corporate information. The Internet of Things transfers and receives data in a vastly different manner from previously established protocol, making protecting this data a daunting task. This means that your business needs to take a comprehensive approach when it comes to network security.

According to Brian Partridge of 451 Research, there are a couple of variables that are common throughout the vast amount of different IoT device, like a mobile device, a network, and a cloud service. Furthermore, there are three challenges posed by the Internet of Things that plague IT professionals:

  • Confidentiality Challenge: Limiting access to data on a user-by-user basis. For example, the average employee doesn’t need access to your financial records.
  • Integrity Challenge: Making sure that data is sent and received securely, without being altered, detected, or stolen while in transit. In other words, making sure that your data isn’t vulnerable to attack while it’s moving from one system to another.
  • Authentication Challenge: Making sure that received data is coming from a legitimate source.

In order to fulfill your duties as a business owner, you need to keep your organization’s data secure. Call NuTech Services for any concerns you might have about the Internet of Things. We can discuss ways to optimize network security so you can worry less about external threats, and concentrate more on running your business. Give us a call at 810.230.9455 to learn more.