Since the shift to remote working due to the pandemic, Indian organizations have witnessed an increasing number of threats because of the spike in non-business IoT devices connected to their corporate networks.
According to a Palo Alto Networks IoT survey, 78% of businesses reported a rise of non-business IoT devices on corporate networks in the previous year. Cybercriminals can abuse IoT sensors to get access to a business network and launch ransomware and other cyberattacks.
Smart home gadgets were among the non-business devices discovered connected to corporate networks. Surprisingly, most businesses feel their existing security strategy for non-business IoT devices is insufficient.
Some of the survey’s significant conclusions are:
- According to 86% of Indian businesses, the transition to remote working during COVID-19 has resulted in a spike in IoT security events.
- According to 73% of respondents, IoT security standards are not keeping up with the growing number of IoT-connected devices, placing them in danger.
- 97% of respondents said their company’s approach to IoT could be improved.
- Threat prevention (59%), risk assessment (55%), IoT device context for security teams (55%), and device visibility and inventory (52%) are the top four security abilities that need to be overhauled.
The adoption of the Internet of Things has become a significant business enabler. According to Vicky Ray, lead researcher, Unit 42 at Palo Alto Networks, it offers new security concerns that can only be handled if employees and employers take responsibility for network security.
Remote employees should be cautious of home equipment that might connect to business networks through their home router. To protect remote employees and the organization’s most important assets, businesses must better monitor threats and network access and provide a level of segmentation.
This year’s study included 1,900 worldwide IT decision-makers. Of them, 51% of the respondents believe that IoT devices are separated on a distinct network from the one used for key business devices and apps (e.g., HR system, finance system, email server). Another 26% said IoT devices are micro-segmented in security zones.
