Thirty years ago, If somebody had told me that my phone might be used to steal my email account password or a copy of my fingerprint data, I would have laughed at them and said you watched too much James Bond. However, today, if somebody tells me that bad hackers may use my toaster to enter into my Facebook account today, I will worry and promptly unplug the malicious device. Welcome to the era of the Internet of Things.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the billions of physical devices connected to the internet throughout the world, all of which collect and share data. Anything can become a part of the Internet of Things as technology advances. In 2020, global IoT spending hit $749 billion, and in 2022, it is expected to surpass a trillion dollars. IoT devices produce a large amount of data. Some of this information, such as health-related data, is private and personal and is governed by rules and regulations such as HIPAA. Others, such as data from your connected toaster or light bulb, may not appear to be particularly sensitive on their own, but when paired with data from your smart lock, smart fridge, motion sensors, and other devices, they can reveal a lot about your daily routines and habits. This is why, in order to avoid being a victim of cybercriminals, it is critical to secure IoT devices.

Cyber criminals frequently take advantage of every opportunity to exploit a vulnerability. And, in their eyes, IoT security challenges aren’t a case of “let me hack your light bulb and switch it on and off at my leisure” (though I suppose that would be inconvenient), but rather a case of “let me compromise your light bulb and get access to your network.” Do you see where it’s going?

There have already been numerous instances of IoT devices being hacked as a result of hackers successfully searching for IoT security weaknesses. Industrial robots, as well as the equipment attached to them, have been hacked in some cases. The reason for this is that hackers can change control-loop settings, tamper with production logic, and change the status of the robot, among other things. Having said that, IoT is the future, and it is one of the most significant developments in internet history. If we want to take advantage of the best, we must be prepared for the worst. In this regard, taking IoT security seriously will be crucial.

Without providing you with a broad checklist for securing your enterprise’s IoT security, Let’s take this little assessment to discover what you’re missing. We will provide you with free feedback based on your score.