The root of these security vulnerabilities often lies with insecure IoT device authentication, meaning attackers are able to spoof server identities, break into networks, and steal data in transit due to weak identity and access management (IAM) protocols.
Simple certificates cannot address the multiple levels of authorizations, roles, and information these complex environments need. Below, we’ll look at the biggest challenges caused by poor IoT device authentication.
IAM governs which devices connect and are allowed to do what within a network. It also defines how people or devices are identified and authenticated as authorized users. Many industrial IoT devices are located outside of the home network’s security defenses, making them vulnerable to attack.
Without secure authentication, there is no way to ensure the reliability of the data being received from IoTs or stop it from being tapped and stolen. With no way to authenticate their server, the devices can also install malicious software for use in other attacks.