Keeping IoT networks safe

Tyler Gannon at Device Authority explains how privileged access management technology reduces stranger danger in rapidly expanding IoT networks

 

The vast growth in the number of devices on IoT networks and their integration with operational technology (OT) has come with a big increase in the security challenges around identity lifecycle management.

 

The threats are so serious they require organisations to revise how they protect an expanding digital frontier through the deployment of zero-trust security in tandem with the extension of privileged access management (PAM) technologies. This encompasses human and machine identities alike – automating processes and implementing effective lifecycle management for huge arrays of devices.

 

With the number of connected IoT devices forecast to reach 18.8 billion (from 16.6 billion in 2023), traditional Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems are falling behind. They were not designed for the scale of these challenges in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and logistics, where thousands - sometimes millions - of devices must be managed in real-time.

 

As IoT networks expand, the sheer volume and complexity of device identities demand a more dynamic approach to security, pushing organisations to rethink how they enforce authentication and access controls.

 

Scale is greater, and so is complexity

The sheer scale of networks is the major difference between identity management in OT and IoT environments compared with traditional IT settings. In typical IT environments, the focus is primarily on human identities – employees, administrators, and other personnel. In OT and IoT landscapes, by contrast, devices can vastly outnumber human users by as much as 50-to-one.

 

To interact securely within the network each of these devices requires a unique machine identity, sometimes several per device, complete with authentication credentials and specific access controls. This necessity complicates the security framework, as every device must be meticulously managed to prevent unauthorised access that could cause a breach.

 

The level of complexity deepens when you realise that many devices were designed to function in isolated, air-gapped setups. They were never intended for internet connectivity. Even so, as organisations integrate them with broader IT systems, they create extensive attack surfaces vulnerable to cyber criminals or malicious insiders. The integration of IoT and OT now demands a comprehensive security approach to safeguard devices that were previously isolated but are now vulnerable to external threats.

 

From deployment to decommissioning, each device’s access must be carefully managed, especially as it connects with various systems and even changes ownership over time. Traditional manual IAM processes are barely up to the task because they cannot keep pace with the rapid evolution and proliferation of devices, and their need for distinct and ever-changing credentials.

 

Zero trust and PAM – how far do you go?

Given the vast scale of device identities, effective management in OT and IoT settings demands that organisations adopt a comprehensive, automated approach that addresses the entire lifecycle of a device’s identity.

 

Any solution must encompass everything from registration and authentication to policy-based management of credentials and keys. Automation is essential in this context, as it minimises human error, a critical factor in many security breaches, and enforces uniform security standards across every device and identity within the network.

 

A zero-trust framework is proving effective, extending throughout the lifecycle of both human and non-human identities. This framework ensures that each identity, whether it belongs to a person, device, or process, is verified, authenticated, and granted only the minimum level of access required for its role.

 

Integrating PAM solutions enhances control by safeguarding high-risk identities and sensitive systems, extending strategies traditionally used for human identities to encompass device identities as well. Through centralised control and policy enforcement, PAM systems ensure secure access to critical devices and systems while maintaining operational efficiency, embedding security into normal day-to-day operations.

 

Even if a device’s credentials are compromised, the damage can be contained to prevent it from spreading across the network. Advanced PAM solutions enable organisations to maintain stringent security standards while ensuring smooth, interconnected operations.

 

Speed and security – the rewards of automation

Automation of identity lifecycle management for OT and IoT devices delivers important gains in speed, security, and scalability. It cuts down reliance on human intervention, effectively eliminating many of the human errors that have historically led to security breaches.

 

Not only is accuracy of identity management improved, but incident response-times are faster. With automated systems in place, security teams mitigate risks before they develop, ensuring vulnerabilities are addressed promptly and efficiently.

 

Alongside this, implementing a comprehensive identity lifecycle management solution boosts regulatory compliance, an important consideration in industries where the penalties extend beyond financial loss - such as energy, manufacturing, and healthcare.

 

Automated identity management helps organisations stay on the right side of the line by ensuring access controls and security measures remain consistent across the lifecycle of each device and system. This consistency bolsters the overall security posture of an organisation, providing peace of mind in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

 

Keeping pace with new technologies and threats

Looking ahead, as the volume and complexity of connected devices grow, identity lifecycle management solutions will need to evolve to keep pace. Emerging technologies, such as AI-driven analytics, offer promising capabilities in real-time threat detection and automated responses, which will be at the core of future identity management frameworks.

 

Organisations must plan for scalability, ensuring their identity management solutions adapt as their OT and IoT ecosystems expand. Future developments are likely to emphasise higher levels of automation, more refined real-time monitoring capabilities, and enhanced interoperability across diverse environments. These advances will be critical as organisations deploy identity management solutions that provide end-to-end security as the world becomes more closely interconnected.

 

With the number of connected devices constantly rising, organisations must prioritise robust identity lifecycle management to safeguard their digital infrastructure. Advanced measures to secure identities in complex OT and IoT environments require a strategic, automated approach to what is a varied set of challenges.

 

By adopting comprehensive, automated solutions with their foundations in zero-trust frameworks enhanced by PAM systems, businesses will reduce or mitigate vulnerabilities to protect their operations. Networks are expanding rapidly, but so is technology. Security strategies must outpace emerging threats, ensuring resilience to safeguard the digital infrastructure on which the world depends.

 

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Tyler Gannon is VP North American Ops at Device Authority

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and Traitov