IoT security best practices

The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized industries, enabling enterprises to streamline operations, improve efficiencies, and create innovative services. However, with the growing number of connected devices comes an increased risk of cyber threats. Ensuring robust security for IoT ecosystems is a necessity. In this post, we’ll explore the top IoT security challenges and provide actionable best practices to safeguard your connected devices and the data they generate.

Secure devices at the hardware level

IoT security begins with the hardware itself. To prevent physical tampering or unauthorized access, devices should be equipped with secure boot processes and hardware-based encryption modules. Using Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) or Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) ensures that only authenticated firmware can run on the device. Additionally, device identity should be securely stored using unique cryptographic keys embedded within the hardware.

Key actions:

• Implement tamper-resistant hardware.
• Use hardware-based cryptography for device identity and data encryption.
• Ensure devices are equipped with secure boot capabilities.

Encrypt data across all layers

One of the critical components of IoT security is data protection. Using a shared security model, both the customer and the IoT service provider both implement strong security. Customers are responsible for encrypting data sent over the cellular network and securing devices, servers, and end-customer data. Connectivity providers secure their environments and the security of data routed between customer devices and its destination. Secure communication protocols such as TLS (Transport Layer Security) or DTLS (Datagram Transport Layer Security) can help prevent data from being intercepted during transmission.

Key actions:

• Use strong encryption algorithms for data transmission (e.g., AES-256).
• Ensure data is encrypted on the device, during transmission, and when stored.
• Regularly update encryption protocols to counter new vulnerabilities.

Implement strong authentication and access control

Weak passwords or the lack of robust authentication mechanisms are common vulnerabilities in IoT devices. Implementing strong, multi-factor authentication (MFA) mechanisms ensures that only authorized users and devices can access your IoT network. This is critical in many industries, ranging from point-of-sale systems to asset trackers. It’s particularly critical in the Internet of Healthcare Things (IoHT) where the systems and data transmitted by medical devices are usually critical and sensitive. Additionally, employing role-based access control (RBAC) helps limit what each user or device can do, minimizing the attack surface in case of a breach.

Key actions:

• Enforce multi-factor authentication for device access.
• Use unique, strong passwords and change default credentials immediately upon installation.
• Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to limit permissions.

Regularly update firmware and software

Keeping IoT devices and systems up to date is crucial to maintaining security. Cyber attackers frequently exploit vulnerabilities in outdated firmware or software. Ensuring that all devices have the latest security patches and updates will significantly reduce the risk of compromise. Automating firmware updates and monitoring patch compliance across your IoT ecosystem can simplify this process.

Key actions:

• Enable automatic firmware and software updates.
• Ensure devices are compliant with the latest security patches.
• Monitor for firmware vulnerabilities and act quickly to patch them.

Secure the network layer

The network layer is the bridge that connects IoT devices to the cloud and applications. Ensuring network security is paramount to preventing unauthorized access from both internal and external threats. This includes securing backdoors, open ports, and enforcing password policies to prevent unauthorized access. Segmenting IoT networks from other IT networks and using firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) can help isolate and protect IoT traffic from malicious actors.

Key actions:

• Use connectivity providers that utilize private APNs for secure device communication.
• Implement network segmentation to separate IoT traffic from other data flows.
• Deploy firewalls, IDS, and IPS to monitor and protect IoT networks.

Monitor and respond to security threats

A proactive approach to IoT security requires continuous monitoring for anomalies and potential threats across your devices and networks. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools can help track IoT device behavior, detect abnormal activity, and send alerts in real time. Given those benefits, it’s not surprising to hear that the SIEM market is growing at a CAGR of 16.86% through 2031. Additionally, establishing a clear incident response plan ensures you can quickly mitigate any threats that arise.

Identifying abnormal SIM behavior patterns

Understanding what constitutes abnormal behavior in your IoT deployment is crucial for effective monitoring. Common indicators include unexpected data usage spikes that deviate from established baselines, prolonged periods of SIM inactivity when devices should be communicating, unauthorized location changes that don't align with expected device movement patterns, and connection attempts from unrecognized networks or regions. The key is establishing baseline behavior patterns for your specific use case, whether that's predictable usage for stationary sensors or expected mobility patterns for tracking devices.

Setting alert parameters and thresholds

Effective monitoring requires defining specific parameters that trigger alerts when exceeded. Critical thresholds might include data usage limits that indicate potential security breaches or device malfunctions, connection frequency changes that suggest device tampering, geographic boundaries for location-based alerts, and session duration anomalies. The goal is creating intelligent alerts that catch genuine threats while minimizing false positives that can overwhelm your security team.

Configuring alert notifications and response times

Your alert system should deliver notifications through multiple channels to ensure critical issues reach the right people immediately. Options include email alerts for non-urgent issues, SMS notifications for critical security events, dashboard notifications for real-time monitoring teams, and API webhooks for automated response systems. Response time requirements vary by use case—life-critical applications may need alerts within seconds, while asset tracking might allow for minutes. Consider implementing escalation procedures that route unacknowledged alerts to backup contacts.

Balancing real-time monitoring with historical reporting

While real-time alerts are essential for immediate threat response, historical reporting provides valuable context for understanding long-term trends and compliance requirements. Real-time monitoring catches active threats as they happen, while historical data helps identify patterns, support forensic analysis after incidents, and demonstrate compliance with security standards. Most effective IoT security strategies combine both approaches, using real-time alerts for immediate response and historical reporting for strategic analysis and regulatory compliance.

Secure the entire IoT solution lifecycle

From design to decommissioning, IoT security should be a priority at every stage of the device lifecycle. During the design phase, consider security features such as tamper resistance, encryption, and secure data storage. After deployment, ensure regular security audits and update management. When decommissioning devices, securely erase all data and credentials to prevent them from being used maliciously in the future.

Key actions:

• Design IoT devices with security in mind from the outset.
• Conduct regular security audits throughout the lifecycle.
• Ensure secure decommissioning of IoT devices with proper data erasure.

Hologram delivers cellular IoT security

We know that IoT security is a multifaceted challenge that requires a proactive and layered approach. We've woven security into all facets of our Cellular SIMs. Plus, our Cellular IoT experts are here to help you customize a security program to meet your unique security needs.

Data

Hologram operates via a shared security model. Customers are responsible for encrypting data sent over the cellular network and securing devices, servers, and end-customer data. Hologram secures our environments and the security of data routed between customer devices and its destination.

Access control

Customers can add Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to their Hologram Dashboard account to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

Firmware

SIM cards provide robust cellular connectivity and are future-proofed by Hologram's use of GSMA and SGP standards to support and deploy eUICC technology. These technologies enable Hologram to provide future-proof deployments for our clients with over-the-air updates to the SIM card.

Network security

Hologram’s SDN provides secure bi-directional communications that offer many of the benefits of VPN, without the significant cost overhead.

Monitoring

Hologram's Dashboard provides our clients with a first line awareness of our Client's fleets with detailed and filterable reports, allowing clients to look at information from fleet scale, down to individual devices. In addition, Customer's can utilize our API to develop automation and monitoring solutions that best fit the commercial and technical needs of their specific use case.

Design with security

It’s important to consider security at the start when you are developing an IoT product. Learn more in this webinar about overcoming security challenges in IoT.

As IoT continues to drive digital transformation across industries, prioritizing security will be critical to ensuring the integrity and success of connected solutions. We're here to help.

Trust Hologram with your connectivity

You can count on Hologram for:

• The highest levels of reliability. Hologram Outage Protection SIMs feature two fully independent mobile cores on each SIM that seamlessly switch to a backup core in the event of an outage.
• Guaranteed uptime commitment. Hologram includes uptime guarantees in our contracts and 24/7 support to resolve any issues quickly.
• Exceptional performance: Hologram’s low latency and high throughput solution can handle the volumes of data produced by these mission-critical use cases.
• Simplified management. With the Hologram Dashboard and analytical tools, you get real-time visibility into device activity and performance, so you can keep operations running smoothly.
• Global coverage. Hologram seamlessly connects to carriers across the worldto ensure your user experience is consistent.