How PKI secures IoT Ecosystem?

Some of the places where PKI fits into IoT are:

• Authentication of devices with their users for secure data sharing.
• Encryption of the data sent by IoT devices.
• Data integrity of transmitted data to confirm data authenticity.
• Key management of devices having a long life.

Why are IoT devices more vulnerable than Traditional Electronic devices?

IoT Devices are more vulnerable than Traditional Electronic devices for the following reasons.

• Lack of Security

  Sometimes manufacturers compromise the security of devices in order to maintain cost-effectiveness. Unlike conventional electronic devices, there are comparatively fewer security protocols specifically designed for IoT devices.

• High interconnectivity and Access points

  IoT devices are generally designed to communicate with each other result in a highly interconnected environment. A breach in one device may lead a hacker to hack the entire network as IoT devices trust each other in a network by default.

• Use of default or weak credentials

  IoT devices come with default usernames and passwords that are either not changed by users or are weak. These default credentials are easy to guess allowing attackers to access devices without using hacking techniques.

• Physical Accessibility and Tempering

  Most of the IoT devices are mounted in public or remote areas hence making them very vulnerable to being accessed for tempering by attackers. A physical attack may make the attackers able to alter, change, or even add the malevolent codes into the gadget at hand thus making the integrity exposed and leaving other integrated systems on the risk verge.

• Delayed security updates

  Most of the present IoT devices tend to receive relatively fewer software updates, compared to more conventional electronic devices such as laptops and phones, which are often updated with new security patches by the manufacturers.

What are the Key Security Requirements for IoT?

Some of the security requirements for IoT devices to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data are:

• Authentication

  It is one of the mechanisms of security where only allowed bodies have access to or be able to read the sent or stored data. IoT devices uses various authentication mechanisms such as biometrics or digital certificates to verify users and devices.

• Authorization

  It is necessary to maintain control permissions and access levels to ensure that each device can perform authorized actions only. Access control can be obtained by using Role-Based access control (RBAC) mechanisms.

• Data Integrity

  It ensures that the data has not been tampered with or altered during transmission or storage. Techniques like hashing (SHA-256, SHA-3) and digital signatures are used to verify the authenticity and integrity of data.

• Secure Communication protocols

  IoT devices should use secure protocols for transmitting and storing data. Protocols like HTTPS, TLS/SSL or DTLS to protect data in transit.

• Secure Boot and Firmware Updates

  IoT devices must ensure they start up securely and are protected from physical tempering and loading malicious firmware. A secure boot can check for malicious firmware before the device starts up. Regular updates via cryptographically signed packages can keep devices secure for a long time.

What are the advantages of Introducing a PKI to IoT Devices?

Introducing PKI into the IoT offers many advantages for the secure communication of devices in the IoT ecosystem. Some of the strong benefits of the introduction of PKI into the IoT ecosystem are:

• Strong Authentication

  PKI has various techniques to provide proper user and device authentication. The authentication process will also include unique digital certificates that identify each device uniquely and cannot allow unauthorized devices in the network.

• Data confidentiality through Encryption

  PKI ensures secure data transmission through encryption. It uses an asymmetric key pair to encrypt and decrypt the data securely. It results in sensitive data transmission by IoT devices.

• Data Integrity with Digital Signature

  PKI uses the technology of signed signatures to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the transmitted data. Data integrity prevents malicious tempering with commands and data.

• Support of secure device updates

  To ensure that only authorized and legitimate updates are applied to the device, PKI uses the concept of digital signature. Only digitally signed firmware and software updates are installed in the devices to prevent cyber-attacks or breaches.

• Compliance with Regulatory Standards

  Most respectable industries including health care> and banking services require stringent standards for security. PKI ensures that IoT devices meet the regulatory requirements through ensuring strong encryption, data integrity, and authentications to establish trust when handling sensitive information.

How can you manage PKIs for IoT?

The IoT ecosystem has a vast network of devices that require a well-managed and structured approach to PKIs. Various actions such as certificate issuance, distribution, revocation and renewal need to be designed in an organized manner.

Some of the best practices, so that PKIs can be managed for IoT devices can be:

• Automated Certificate Lifecycle Management

  An automated system for performing various certification actions such as issuance, distribution, revocation, and renewal is always better than performing these tasks manually. It reduces the risk of human-generated errors which can lead to vulnerabilities in IoT networks.

• Onboarding secure devices

  Implementing various provisioning methods to ensure that every new IoT device is secured before installing them to the network. Pre-provisioning devices with certificate provisioning methods simplify the secure onboarding of the new devices. This results in only legitimate devices entering the IoT environment.

• Define Access Control Policy

  It is always not a good idea to provide access to each and every device and user for everything. So, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is introduced to restrict the access of each device to different roles in the network. It saves the network from several breaches that take place on the spread of unauthorized access.

• Use a Hierarchical PKI Structure

  For large-scale IoT network, the most suitable PKI structure is a hierarchical PKI Structure that includes a multiple Certificate Authorities. Mainly, it comprises a root CA and intermediate CAs. This makes management flexible for certificates in devices groups.

• Regular Key Rotation and Renewal

  Rotate the keys regularly and renew their certificates as this minimizes the chances of compromising your keys. Rotate function should, therefore, be automated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as IoT devices are becoming more popular day by day, it is necessary to secure them from cyber-attacks and malware. Hence, Public-Key Infrastructure comes into the picture.

With Encryption Consulting’s PKIaaS, organizations can redirect their focus to core business objectives and product development, knowing that a secure, efficient, and compliant PKI system safeguards their IoT infrastructure. We provide expert support and insights to help our clients adapt to evolving security needs, allowing them to grow with confidence and peace of mind.