The Importance of IoT Security Standards

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the billions of internet-connected smart devices used in homes, buildings, factories, vehicles, and cities. While IoT has brought great convenience, the security risks can be immense without proper safeguards. This article looks at key IoT security standards that help mitigate risks.

Growth of Connected IoT Devices

As per IoT Analytics, there are 10 billion IoT devices in use globally as of 2021. This is projected to grow to over 25 billion by 2030. IoT devices collect and share data to deliver services – from smart home assistants to industrial sensors.

However, each connected device also presents a potential attack surface for hackers. The rapid growth of IoT necessitates security standards to prevent exploits at a global scale.

Main IoT Security Concerns

Some major IoT security issues include:

• Data breaches – Attackers can steal personal and sensitive information stored on or transmitted by IoT devices.
• Botnets – Groups of compromised devices controlled remotely to launch DDoS attacks. The 2016 Mirai botnet attack enlisted over 600,000 IoT devices.
• Ransomware – Malware that locks system functions, with ransom paid to regain access. Eg: Wannacry ransomware impacted medical IoT devices.
• Weak passwords – Many users fail to change default device passwords which are then easily guessed by hackers.
• Unencrypted traffic – Clear text data transmitted by IoT devices can be easily intercepted and misused.
• Software vulnerabilities – Bugs and loopholes in IoT device software or apps can allow takeovers.

Why IoT Security Standards Matter

As IoT adoption surges globally across various uses, consistent guidelines are required to build secure products.

Benefits of IoT security standards include:

• Promoting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of devices and data
• Reducing entry barriers for companies developing consumer/industrial IoT products
• Allowing manufacturers to demonstrate due diligence
• Building transparency on device security postures
• Helping users choose secure IoT systems
• Enabling innovations to address security gaps at scale

Government regulations like California IoT security law also mandate device manufacturers to meet baseline standards.

Major IoT Security Standardization Efforts

Here are some leading international standard bodies driving IoT security standards:

ISO/IEC 27000 Family

The ISO/IEC 27000 series comprises information security management system (ISMS) standards published jointly by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

These help organizations manage information security risks systematically. Relevant standards include:

• ISO/IEC 27001 – ISMS requirements
• ISO/IEC 27002 – Code of practice for information security controls
• ISO/IEC 27005 – Information security risk management
• ISO/IEC 27030 – Guidelines for security techniques in IoT

IEC 62443 Series

The IEC 62443 set of standards published by the IEC helps secure critical industrial automation and control systems (IACS) which include industrial IoT. There are 4 main components:

• General – Master framework and terminology
• Policies & Procedures – System security lifecycle requirements
• Component – Product development requirements
• Conformance – Alignment assessment

IoT Security Foundation Framework

This framework is published by the IoT Security Foundation (IoTSF) – a global, collaborative industry effort. It has 2 main sections:

• IoT Security Compliance Framework – 7 principles, 23 objectives, and 79 capabilities to secure IoT systems
• IoT Security Assurance – Guidance to ensure products meet guidelines based on intended use

Other Major Standards

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework – Voluntary policies, standards, and best practices for critical infrastructure organizations
• OWASP IoT Security Verification Standard (ISVS) – Design and testing guidance for IoT apps and devices
• UL 2900 – Product cybersecurity standard for network-connectable products by Underwriters Laboratories

Key Areas Addressed by IoT Security Standards

Some typical areas covered under IoT security standards include:

• Device identity and access management
• Cryptography and key management
• Network security and data protection
• System and software assurance
• Resiliency and recovery
• Monitoring and response processes
• Vulnerability disclosures
• Compliance audits
• Supply chain risk management

FAQs on IoT Security Standards

Are IoT security standards mandatory to follow?

Many IoT security standards are voluntary to implement. However, they represent widely accepted best practices. Some geographies like California and the EU have regulations enforcing baseline IoT security requirements.

How do the different IoT standards tie together?

Groups like IoTSF and NIST align with other bodies including ISO, IEC, ETSI, and oneM2M to support interoperability between IoT security standards and avoid duplication of efforts.

What standard is best for my IoT products?

Evaluate relevance based on your device applications, risk levels, architecture, and lifecycle processes. While ISO 27001/2 gives a generic ISMS foundation, IEC 62443 focuses on industrial systems. Align to standards addressing your specific IoT vertical.

How can standards compliance be demonstrated to customers?

Certifications like IECEE IoT CSMSC help test/certify IoT product security per IEC 62443-4-1. Audits by accredited labs can verify alignment to standards like ISO 27001, with certificates denoting compliance.

The Future of IoT Security Standards

As technologies like 5G, AI, and blockchain integrate with ubiquitous smart devices, attack surfaces can multiply rapidly. The density of hyperconnected urban spaces also calls for stricter IoT security to prevent system-wide failures.

However, standards typically evolve slower than technologies. Groups like IoTSF focus on more agile processes for standards development to keep pace. Harmonization of global standards is also crucial for coherent security across massive global IoT networks.

The final responsibility lies with IoT vendors to engineer strong safeguards into devices and cloud ecosystems, while also empowering users to adopt sound security postures.

With cyber threats only expected to multiply with tech advances, IoT security standards will play a pivotal role in creating inherently safer connected products in every domain.