Is it possible for designers to consider every security angle?
1 min read
This may come as a shock, but a lack of security in the Internet of Things (IoT) could be catastrophic in the event of a cyber attack.
A report published recently by Beecham Research says security in the IoT is significantly more complex than many system designers have previously experienced. It also suggests that systems designers must presume that all devices will become compromised at some point – maybe some years in the future – and should therefore architect their systems such that it will be possible to regain control by isolating rogue elements.
Attacks, if and when they come, could be from unexpected angles. Already, hackers have managed to take control of a particular model of car by accessing the CAN bus through the wing mirror. The Beecham Research Report suggests something innocuous as an IoT enabled door lock in the house could provide a similar access point. It could even be as simple as replacing an IoT enabled bulb in an outside light.
The Beecham Research report's conclusions fit squarely under the heading of 'security, trust and authentication' – three words which are being used increasingly frequently when it comes to the IoT.
But security isn't just about the IoT; it's of growing importance to all embedded systems. As a participant in a recent New Electronics roundtable commented: "People assume a system is secure because it's embedded. That's not true."
Building in security isn't as easy as it looks. Another roundtable participant said: "Engineers have to think about how to manage security. The problem is they can't think of every possible threat."
However, the problem is that designers are increasingly being required to do just that.
* If you're confused about the IoT, but want to find out more, then make a point of attending the Electronics Design Show, being held in Coventry on 22 and 23 October.
Three conference sessions will address IoT issues: getting started with the IoT; securing IoT gateways; and keeping the IoT private. Meanwhile, three show floor workshop sessions will take a closer look at some of the issues involved with the IoT and many exhibitors will be discussing the subject.
