In recent years, we have seen many new technologies being talked about in tech circles across the board. One of these new technologies is Internet of Things, better known as IoT.
What is IoT?
Before delving into the role of IoT in technology and cybersecurity, it is first crucial to understand what IoT really is.
For many people, internet connectivity is something that works on digital devices like desktops, laptops, and phones. Other electronic and mechanical devices are viewed as devices and appliances which exist outside the realm of technology.
IoT seeks to bridge this gap. With the help of better hardware, IoT seeks to bring more devices into the purview of the internet for better control over such devices and a more synchronic approach to the world as we know it.
The true impact of IoT will truly be game changing. From driverless cars to automated manufacturing shop floors, IoT’s impact on the present and future truly promises to be remarkable.
Role of Cybersecurity in IoT
To understand the role of ethical hacking in IoT, let us take a small-scale scenario of IoT. Let’s assume that your entire home has been optimized by IoT. This means all devices in your home, from your fans and bed lights to the toaster in your kitchen can be controlled by a central command unit you possess.
In other words, all devices in your home are under the purview of a single network.
For a malicious hacker on the outside, such a system is a boon. Every device in your home becomes a target as it’s connected to the main network. A black hat hacker could gain access to all your files and data if he/she could only gain access to your toaster or any other miscellaneous device in your home.
In IoT, the strength of a network can be only be judged by evaluating the weakest link.
Thus, the role of cybersecurity in such a scenario becomes much greater. As IoT grows, the need for ethical hackers and infosec analysts will only grow.
In this article, we discussed how the advent of IoT bodes good news for the cybersecurity field.
About the Author – Srikant Mishra is a well-known infosec strategist who has previously worked with some of the biggest IT giants in the world. He also blogs about ethical hacking and is a regular contributor to the online blog of Kapil Heera Academy. The institute is known well for its cyber security courses&best ethical hacking courses in Delhiwhen compared to other places to learn cybersecurity.