With the 5G network revolution looming, a billion cellular Internet of Things (IoT) devices have already been connected worldwide.
This is only the beginning.
By 2024, the number is expected to reach a staggering 4.1 billion. Before it helps you generate new revenue streams, this impressive growth in IoT connectivity may be more a bane than a boon if you don’t shore up your defenses—quickly.
Thanks to 5G, modern businesses can finally tap into the true potential of cellular IoT to reduce inefficient processes and improve the bottom-line. So can cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity has become an essential enabler of innovation and yet, combating cybercrime can be trickier than you imagine.
Keep reading to find out what threats might be lurking within your organization and learn how to protect your IoT devices with remarkable precision.
A Brief Introduction to Cellular IoT
Powerful connectivity. Future-proof technology. The world at your fingertips.
That’s what you can expect from cellular IoT.
Simply put, cellular IoT is a connectivity system—one that offers more reliability than previously possible in this context. It connects your devices using only the existing network infrastructure and serves a critical role in minimizing device costs, extending battery life, and enhancing signal coverage.
But there is still a long way to go before you can reap all these benefits. First, you need to select your IoT protocol. Network operators are all in on Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and Long Term Evolution (LTE). So, to no one’s surprise, several global vendors are already deploying NB-IoT and LTE networks to support IoT growth in the 5G era.
Needless to say, picking the right protocol is paramount—so you must choose wisely. Consider geographic coverage, power consumption, and data access. You might also want to pay close attention to trade-offs, such as the transfer speed, data rates, or connection density. Their impact can’t be minimized after the rollout.
A Hacker’s New Favorite Target
5G is a cellular network technology and the key enabler of IoT. But 5G is not just revolutionizing IoT connectivity; it’s also ushering in a new security era. How?
Recently, experts have found apparent gaps in cellular network security. The alarms were sounding, but the rollouts have continued. In no time, IoT device insecurity has emerged as a top driver of internet attack traffic. Within the first six months of 2019, Kaspersky’s honeypots detected 105 million attacks on IoT devices from 276,000 unique IP addresses.
During the same time frame, F-Secure’s global network of honeypots zoomed in on the rampant exploitation of IoT devices via Telnet and UPnP protocols and identified over 2.9 billion events in total.
Now, take a moment to think about the IoT future in a 5G world. While the momentum is still building, the mobile ecosystem has already started to widen. From fast speeds to low latency connections, this new environment opens the door to innovation. Could it backfire?
Unless the rollouts are properly secured, cellular IoT might crumble under the weight of 5G. The stakes are high—slowly, but surely, most of the global mobile traffic will be on 5G cellular connectivity. Over time, more devices will be connected. Therefore, organizations simply can’t remain tied down to outdated defense measures.
A new security perspective is needed—one that evolves side-by-side with mobile communication.
Navigating the 5G Era with Cellular IoT
Historic and, above all, disruptive changes await. It’s unavoidable.
In a brave new 5G-IoT world, you already have an idea of what to expect: unparalleled IoT connections, ultra-reliable communications, and… new security threats.
You can’t truly predict the future, but you can prepare for what’s ahead by:
Knowing Your Attack Surface the Way Cybercriminals Do
What defenses should you have in place, and where?
Think like the enemy and find the path of least resistance—continuously. A rigorous attack surface analysis helps you:
- Identify the functions of a particular system that need to be reviewed or tested for security vulnerabilities
- Zero in on high-risk areas that require in-depth protection
Make it your routine to regularly examine newly connected IoT devices and search for possible security blind spots. Cybercriminals always stay curious, and so should you. Scan your network periodically to find out what increases your exposure to risk and immediately secure the weakest links to keep sensitive business information safe at all times.
Securing Your IoT Devices
Professionals have justifiable concerns; IoT devices may inevitably expand an organization’s attack surface. The risks are real but thankfully, so are the solutions that aim to secure cellular connectivity.
“It is getting easier and quicker to create secure IoT solutions thanks to a growing choice of dedicated hardware and software tools,” GSMA reveals. A case in point is Cisco’s IoT Control Center—an intelligent initiative that helps professionals optimize cellular IoT management, reduce deployment complexity, and adopt new 5G use cases.
Similarly, Aeris provides advanced solutions for securing cellular IoT devices and empowers manufacturers to develop a scalable 360-degree defense mechanism that protects, detects, and resolves potential bottlenecks.
There is no one-size-fits-all IoT security solution—every business has unique requirements, priorities, and security potholes. One premise, however, holds true for all enterprises: as 5G takes hold, security shouldn’t be an afterthought.
Final Thoughts
Fueled by 5G-enabled networks, cellular IoT deployments will continue to pick up speed.
Be aware of the inherent dangers posed by innovative technologies to avoid falling prey to fraudsters and safeguard your devices.
Reimagining your IoT experience through 5G brings valuable opportunities to the table, including low latency connectivity, improved coverage, and ultra-reliable communication. All you need to do is verify and improve your security posture with diligent consistency.
