Maintaining Security in the Shift to the Intelligent Edge

This is the core of IoT data storage, processing, and analysis, and is pivotal in providing real-time data, therefore making a malware attack potentially catastrophic. In managing updates and detecting attacks on an IoT deployment, moving to automatic device management can help simplify and bolster security.

Automatic device management works by updating a set of device twins with desired properties and reporting a summary that's based on device twin reported properties. It enables businesses to target a set of devices based on their properties, define the desired configuration, and then update the devices when they come into scope. This move allows CIOs and the wider IT departments to specify secure configurations just once and then have these managed by an IoT hub, which is well suited to managing projects at scale.

3. Prioritising database security

In today’s competitive landscape, business systems require high-performance, secure, and easy to manage databases that are optimised for edge scenarios. This includes integrating the ability to protect data at rest and in-motion on edge devices and at edge gateways.

This can be managed by deploying a central management portal which allows businesses to change and update all security policies within an IoT implementation from one central portal. It is also important to ensure that databases are secured using certificates, instead of passwords, to authorise identities when communicating with other local devices and with servers in the cloud. Unlike passwords or other authentication mechanisms that are based on shared details, certificates can’t be stolen, forged, or otherwise used to authenticate an impostor.

4. Futureproofing with long-term security frameworks

Alongside currently maintaining the highest levels of security within IoT systems, it’s just as essential to keep one eye on future planning. With the continually evolving range of threats, the security landscape within IoT is subject to a constant drumbeat of change.

Once the right security tools are integrated into an IoT solution the next step is to then anticipate and evaluate the wider security needs of the system and develop an outline framework of how to address this. A comprehensive birds-eye view of potential threats and vulnerabilities a business may face is the only way to establish security controls that will remain effective over the long term. Points to consider include industry threat profiles, anticipated changes to regulatory and compliance requirements, and possible budgetary restrictions.

Maintaining trust in IoT to facilitate future progression

As we continue to make huge strides in the sophistication and overall adoption of IoT within the age of the intelligent edge, ‘trust’ levels need to remain high for continued progression. The key points for today’s CIOs to consider are ensuring that security is built-in, not bolted-on, securing the intelligent cloud and databases, and finally, strengthening long-term security frameworks.

One business doing this well and leading the way for others is Starbucks. The technology-driven coffee company is using these core principles to connect and secure more than a dozen pieces of equipment in each of its 30,000 stores, which includes blenders and grinders. The IoT-enabled devices collect over a dozen data points for every coffee made, such as the type of bean, temperature, and water quality. This enables the business to be proactive when it comes to maintenance ensuring minimal downtime for repairs and business continuity. Starbucks is also able to send new coffee recipes directly to machines securely, at the click of a button.

There is no doubt that the threat landscape will continue to advance at a rapid pace. Businesses must, therefore, address security for the spectrum of the billions of connected devices from microprocessors to the smallest edge at the MCU level.