Navigating Security Challenges in the IoT Era

IT security is essential for any business looking to make business processes more efficient, particularly as their communication needs grow. The right infrastructure can help you streamline workflows and maintain seamless operations across departments while protecting sensitive information.

This is where Pharr Technologies can help. Our experienced staff can help you identify and mitigate all types of IT security risks, including those most commonly seen when using IoT devices and networks. We’ll cover major security challenges companies face, from data privacy to standardization.

IoT Risks

While the Internet of Things (IoT) provides businesses with unmatched convenience and innovation, it also comes with its own risks. Potential security issues can include:

Insufficient Security Protocols

IoT devices are cost-effective and easy to use, but they also require sufficient security. Without the right security features, these devices could be susceptible to cyber threats, including system hacks resulting from weak default passwords and inadequate encryption.

Unpatched Software

A surprisingly large number of malware issues are traced back to known vulnerabilities. Outdated software and firmware can leave systems vulnerable to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, ransomware attacks, and other cyber threats.

Data Privacy Issues

Without sufficient privacy measures in place, IoT users cannot easily track the type and scope of data collected. Other parties may try accessing that data without the company’s permission. If multiple IoT devices are vulnerable to attacks, hackers can use botnets to steal their data.

Physical Security Concerns

Door locks, thermostats, and other IoT devices can be accessed by unauthorized parties who can quickly change their settings, potentially compromising safety and a facility’s environmental conditions.

Lack of Standardization

If a facility has a large number of IoT devices and networks, it can be difficult to standardize security across all of them. This leaves more room for internal or external sources to misuse or expose your data.

How IoT Device Vulnerabilities Affect Users

With the increasing use of IoT solutions, even the simplest of devices can impact overall security. This vulnerability could negatively affect users in a number of ways:

Privacy Invasion

IoT device vulnerabilities can impact privacy through:

• Data collection. IoT devices frequently collect different types of data, including user preferences, usage trends, and, in some cases, physical movement. If this data isn’t secure, malicious parties could access it for everything from ad targeting to data or identity theft.
• Mic and camera hacks. Many IoT devices also have cameras and microphones that could allow for unauthorized audiovisual surveillance, including baby monitors, security camera networks, and speakers.

Security Threats

Security threats to IoT devices can include:

• Botnet recruitment. Hackers could connect multiple compromised IoT devices into a collective botnet under their control, allowing them to commit attacks across the entire network and causing issues with functionality and performance, potentially rendering them entirely unusable or inaccessible.
• Network infiltration. Even a single compromised device could give external sources unauthorized access to your entire network, allowing them to steal sensitive data or inject malware into your system. Hackers could also gain control of various smart devices in the home, such as thermostats and door locks.

Strategies to Secure IoT Devices and Networks

Securing smart devices and networks often means tackling security challenges from multiple angles. Some key strategies companies can benefit from implementing include:

• Opting for devices with sufficient security. Choose devices with security features such as strong password protection, secure encryption, and regular firmware and software updates.
• Choosing strong passwords. Simple passwords can make your profile or account an easy target for hackers. A strong password should include a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols. It should also be unique to your device.
• Allowing two-factor authentication. If your device supports it, opt for two-factor authentication. This will require users to confirm their identity on two different platforms before they can gain access to a given device.
• Regularly updating software. As soon as manufacturers release software or firmware updates, be sure to install them and keep them up to date. This way, your device is utilizing the most recent (and advanced) security features.
• Segmenting networks. Separating IoT networks via a digital barrier makes it harder for hackers to access information across networks. Segmenting networks can also improve the performance of your IoT devices by preventing network congestion.
• Implementing a strong firewall. A good firewall will regulate all traffic passing through the network while notifying administrators of suspicious network activity.
• Disabling unused features. If a device collects data you don’t need, disable these features to ensure that devices only collect relevant data for increased security.
• Researching available solutions. Look into each device’s security features and the manufacturer before buying. A reliable manufacturer will be able to effectively demonstrate the security of their solution.

Navigating Security Challenges in the IoT Era With Pharr Technologies

Want to maximize your IoT security? Pharr Technologies provides comprehensive cybersecurity solutions that protect digital assets and streamline operations across your larger network systems.

Contact us today to learn more about our solutions and what they can do for you. You can also request a quote for a custom security solution.

Steps to Take After You’ve Been Hit by Ransomware

Ransomware attacks can halt your business operations and threaten your business’s standing. The best approach is prevention—proactively protecting your business through the right managed services, protocols, and cybersecurity practices. However, even the best defenses can fail or leave a vulnerability gap large enough for ransomware to wreak havoc on your business. When that happens, you need an action plan ready for immediate implementation. Use this guide to start building your plan so you can respond quickly and appropriately to a ransomware incident.

What Is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware with a two-step operation. The first sign of ransomware is that it hijacks some or all of an organization’s information, encrypting it so employees can no longer access it. Then, the operators behind the ransomware demand a ransom payment to release the encrypted information and restore the company’s access.

Ransomware can spread quickly throughout an entire organization, compromising access to individual files, specific applications, or even whole databases. Cybercriminals can make billions of dollars by targeting companies and government organizations of all sizes. In addition to the money lost in paying the ransom, businesses may lose their customers’ confidence and suffer from reduced business operations during the attack.

Steps to Take After You’ve Been Hit by a Ransomware Attack

If your organization gets hit by a ransomware attack, the most important thing you can do is act fast to minimize the damage it causes. Start by following these eight steps.

Prevent the Spread!

First, switch off the network. There’s a chance the ransomware hasn’t yet reached every corner of your organization. By powering off your network switches and immediately halting network communications, you can prevent the attack from reaching untouched files or applications and potentially keep your backups safe.

Don’t Shut Down Endpoints

This step is about what not to do. Unless otherwise instructed by your IT services provider, don’t shut down endpoints in your organization by rebooting, power-cycling, or fully powering down your workstations and servers. Doing so can severely jeopardize the forensic investigation your services provider will handle. For example, powering down your firewall could purge the logs, and wiping any endpoints by powering them down will reduce the information forensics can recover.

Also, don’t contact or respond to the ransomer yourself. Your forensic vendor will handle the next steps and any communications with them.

Stay Calm and Call Your MSP

As soon as you can, call your managed service provider (MSP). Your forensic vendor or cybersecurity provider will have a detailed process for handling the emergency, alleviating the stress on your employees. Stay calm, contact your MSP, and follow their instructions.

Record the Details of the Attack

The ransom note on your monitor or device screen will have key details:

• The ransom amount
• Payment instructions
• Formatting details that can aid in a forensic investigation

You can record these signs of ransomware by taking a photo of the screen with your device (unless it has a QR code) or writing down the information. These details will help your forensic vendor determine what type of ransomware it is and find an existing recovery key. The information can also help with filling out reports for insurance companies or the police. Pharr Technologies does not recommend paying ransoms.

Alert All Users

Communicate with internal teams regarding the emergency and what steps they need to take. For example, they should immediately change their passwords for work-related accounts and any personal accounts they may have accessed from infected computers. If possible, have a network administration force password changes for everyone.

Secure Your Backup

Stop the automatic backup and scheduled backup processes. Your backups from before the attack will be critical in continuing your business operations. Ideally, restrict access to cloud backups, and disconnect backup servers from the infected network.

Disable Maintenance Tasks

Next, stop all automated actions like temporary file removals on the affected network. These maintenance tasks may interfere with future investigation and remediation steps.

Start With a Clean Slate

From there, your managed services provider or mitigation team can zero in on the threat, eliminate it, and secure your data backups. Completely remove old passwords to reduce the risk of getting the same ransomware attack again, and wipe infected devices (both physical and virtual) completely clean. These actions are the only way to fully remove the threat.

Stop Ransomware Attacks Before They Start—Contact Pharr Technologies

At Pharr Technologies, we’re a managed services provider committed to keeping our clients as safe as possible from ransomware and other cyber threats. That’s why we focus on both preventive and responsive methods for ransomware attacks. Contact us today to learn more, or request a quote to start protecting your business.