The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to explode, with smart home devices comprising a significant part of this growth. Heating, lighting, doorbells, voice assistants and even smoke detectors are joining the legions of connected appliances. The number of installed devices in the home is projected to rise a whopping 70% by 2025.
When your employees connect to the office from home, chances are that there is a smart device lurking somewhere on their home network. This can be a serious consideration when it comes to your company’s cyber security. Read on for steps everyone can take to minimize your risk.
Consider Your Privacy
The fact about smart home devices is that they collect data about who we are and what we do. Your smart speaker listens for your commands, your door camera collects video footage, and your smart mattress collects biometric data. Now think about what happens if this information falls into the wrong hands?
Before you install any smart home device, make sure you’re comfortable with the information it collects. Also check where it stores your data. Generally speaking, if you are not paying for a product, you data is the product. Real life example, a colleague of mine recently purchased a low-priced security camera from a popular online shopping site. Upon inspection, we realized that the footage could be uploaded to the parent company. That company is located in a foreign country with a less than stellar security reputation. The camera went in the trash and was replaced by a more expensive, and more secure, option.
When setting up a new IoT device, take the time to configure the privacy and security settings . This should allow you to limit who you are sharing information with. Once you have set up your device, keep tabs on how secure the information is that you store on it. Also, actively manage location services so you don’t unwittingly expose your location.
Use Strong Passwords/Passphrases
Many smart devices are controlled through mobile applications that require an account ID and password. Just like any other account, your passwords (or better yet, passphrases) need to be strong and unique. Using a password manager, like LastPass, can help by storing them so you don’t have to remember every single one. A password manager can also generate complex passwords that are hard for criminals to crack.
You can take it one step further by enabling MultiFactor Authentication (MFA) if your device supports this feature. MFA protects your account from hackers by requiring a second form of authorization. The second factor is typically a code sent via text message or generated by an app on your phone.
Turn Off Unused Features
IoT devices may come with features like WiFi and Bluetooth turned on by default. When WiFi and Bluetooth are on, they can connect and disclose your whereabouts. If you don’t need them, switch them off. It’s a simple step that can help alleviate tracking concerns and incidents.
Similarly, you should take a look at where voice control is activated vs. where you’re actually using it – for example on your television or remote. Disabling everything you’re not using is one more way you can secure entry points and lock out potential hackers.
Secure Your Home Network
By now, most people are aware of basic cyber security hygiene when it comes to their home network. Changing the default WiFi password , replacing outdated routers, and keeping devices updated are tasks everyone needs to complete. I also recommend creating a secondary or “guest” network for IoT devices. This lets you keep sensitive private information separate and secure in the event that hackers do gain access to one of your devices.
Staying safe online requires constant vigilance to keep your information, and your company, secure. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. If you have additional questions or items you’d like to discuss email me, or join me for a live discussion on Wednesday, October 27 at noon.
Dave Wilson
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