Cybersecurity Expert Calls For IoT Regulation

Secure Logic CEO, Santosh Devaraj, has today called on the Federal Government to follow the lead of the US and UK by introducing regulation that mandates security practices for Internet of Things (IoT) device manufacturers – both those products that are made in Australia and those that are imported.

Devaraj said Australia is at risk of falling behind other nations in relation to IoT security and a lack of action is sending a clear message to global hackers that we are an easy target.

In September, the Californian Government legislated IoT device security and earlier this month, the UK Government introduced a voluntary ‘Code of Practice’ for IoT device manufacturers.

“From improving our health to increasing productivity and fixing pollution, connected devices have a huge role to play in society, but this shouldn’t come at the cost of our privacy and personal information,” said Devaraj. “The vast majority of people are not aware of the significant risks posed by unsecured IoT devices, and government and the cyber security industry must work together to empower Australians to take more control of their data security.”

Secure Logic has noted an approximate 600 per cent increase in IoT-related attacks detected via its 24/7 cyber security monitoring platform over the last 12-months. In certain instances, these attacks are undertaken to obtain sensitive information or instigate ‘zombie’ distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

A compromised IoT device can allow hackers access to the entire network, enabling them to bypass existing security controls, and leverage these IoT devices to plant and execute more attacks.

Historically, these attacks have come from East Asia and Eastern Europe, but in recent months Secure Logic’s systems have increasingly identified intrusion attempts from emerging hacking communities in the Middle East, Brazil and Chile.

Specifically, Secure Logic is calling on the Federal Government to introduce: A requirement for manufacturers to give each device a unique password, rather than offering a default password that comes with every device (which is more susceptible to hackers); a mandated process around software updates that ensures customers are prompted when key patches are available; and investment in a nation-wide education program to illustrate the simple steps people can take to protect their personal information when using connected devices.

“At the top of the Government’s list should be mandated password protection,” said Devaraj.

Too often manufacturers are letting customers use a blanket password which is easily side-stepped by hackers. There is also work to do in terms of manufacturers monitoring for risks and issuing software updates to better protect customers. If the proper investment is made in the product development phase, security can be managed without a detrimental impact on cost or customer experience.

“With documented cases of baby monitors, share bikes and pacemakers being hacked, the stakes are high. It’s not in anyone’s interest to create a scare campaign around this issue, however, more education is pivotal in driving improved security outcomes and more action from manufacturers,” he said.

Devaraj also said regulation will also become a focal point for corporations in the years ahead as Industrial IoT (IIoT) becomes a mandatory part of business and the technology controlling the nation’s factories, farms and trucks. – Prime Mover Magazine