Guarding the IoT frontier: Cybersecurity risks and strategies
With proactive measures and a commitment to security, we can turn the promise of IoT into a reality while safeguarding our digital future, writes Harsh Gour.
Harsh Gour
22 November 2024
THE Internet of Things (IoT) (a network of physical objects embedded with sensors, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices over the Internet) is transforming sectors across India, from agriculture to healthcare.
With this progress come heightened cybersecurity risks. India's current legal framework is inadequate for addressing IoT vulnerabilities. The lack of mandatory security standards leaves critical infrastructure exposed to cyberattacks.
This article outlines the growing threat posed by IoT security breaches and explores advanced solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and zero trust architecture ZTA to strengthen IoT security.
Key policy recommendations include implementing mandatory IoT security certifications and sector-specific regulations, and fostering public–private collaboration to secure the digital ecosystem.
With proactive policies, India can harness IoT's potential while safeguarding against cyber threats, ensuring a resilient digital future.
The lack of mandatory security standards leaves critical infrastructure exposed to cyberattacks.
Introduction to IoT and Its Expanding Landscape
The IoT is reshaping India’s digital landscape in remarkable ways. From revolutionising agriculture with smart sensors to transforming healthcare with connected medical devices, the IoT is at the heart of our digital future.
Yet, as we embrace these technological marvels, we must also confront a stark reality: each connected device is a potential target for cybercriminals.
Imagine a scenario where a hacker remotely takes control of a smart grid or tampers with a medical device. The consequences could be devastating, affecting not just individual users but entire sectors. It is clear that while IoT offers immense benefits, it also poses significant security risks.
To navigate this dual-edged sword, India needs a robust legal framework, targeted policies and cutting-edge technologies that work together to safeguard our digital ecosystem.
Legal gaps: Where India’s framework falls short
India’s legal framework for cybersecurity is like a well-intentioned but outdated map— it is helpful, but it does not guide us through the complex terrain of the IoT. The Information Technology Act, 2000 was crafted for a different era, focusing on issues that were relevant when the internet was still in its infancy. Today’s IoT landscape— comprising smart devices and interconnected systems— requires a new set of rules.
For instance, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 protects personal data but does not address the technical weaknesses in IoT devices themselves. These devices collect and transmit sensitive information, and their security needs to be as stringent as the privacy protections we enforce. A single security lapse in an IoT device can have cascading effects, jeopardising entire networks.