Achieving a secure IoT deployment is challenging. That’s because IoT brings many new and diverse devices online, and each one is a potential doorway through which hackers can gain access to the network. With more IoT devices coming online — an estimated 12.3 billion active endpoints in 2021, with 27 billion likely by 2025 — IoT security is more important than ever. Outdated firmware, open backdoors, or lack of basic cybersecurity measures such as data encryption can all create security issues for IoT deployments.

Ensuring the security of your IoT deployment is essential because, in many ways, data is the currency of our day. It’s very valuable — and in the wrong hands, it can become devastating. For example, if a hacker penetrates a manufacturing company’s system and erases their predictive maintenance and productivity data, the company may be forced to halt production. Depending on the use case, cyberattacks on IoT devices can also lead to compromised privacy and even physical injury (in the case of medical device hacks, for example).‍

Why are IoT security solutions so important?

With companies around the world launching IoT devices, security threats are growing along with concern about how to avoid them. IoT security solutions and tools promise to combat the problem in various ways — by providing network visibility, antivirus solutions, encryption capabilities, monitoring services, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing, to name a few.

These security safeguards are important because they help eliminate blind spots that lead to cyber attacks on IoT networks. The more proactive you are in guarding against potential breaches and hacks, the more successful you’ll be in warding off their ill effects.

IoT security service providers are constantly introducing new products and services to address the unique needs of IoT networks. Many newer solutions utilize AI and machine learning to automate security functions, speeding up response time in the event of a breach. ‍

What to look for in an IoT security solution

Choosing the right IoT security solutions can be daunting. Robust security for IoT involves safeguards at every level of the stack, including hardware, software, access, and data transfer. It’s essential to look at every network element and every piece of hardware as a potential entry point.

What you need in an IoT security solution depends on your use case, number of deployed devices, and other specifics. Many solutions are designed for enterprises with thousands or millions of connected devices in their network, while others are better suited for a small fleet of devices, such as smart home IoT. No matter your situation, look for solutions that provide network visibility (a clear view of all devices on your network), IoT encryption (ensuring that data is encrypted both at rest and in transit), and IoT authentication (the ability to check — and double-check — the identity of devices on a network).

Here are a few essential areas you’ll want to address when you’re choosing an IoT security solution: ‍

• Detection: Threat detection is a key element of IoT security. One tool to help in this area is endpoint detection and response (EDR) software, which monitors end device activity and looks for abnormalities that might indicate a security breach. Other tools helpful for threat detection include device management services within your IoT platform and threat detection managed by your cloud provider.
• Prevention: Obviously, preventing potential breaches and attacks should be a priority. Firmware can protect against unauthorized access, and using anti-malware solutions, consistent data encryption, and multiple firewalls are additional prevention tools that can reduce your risk.
• Mitigation: While prevention and early detection are essential, you also need to be prepared to cope in the event of a cyberattack. Mitigation tools can help you contain the breach and control the damage. Backing up your systems is a given, but you also need to make sure you can restore them quickly. Disaster recovery services offered by a number of larger cloud providers can provide you peace of mind in this area.

20 Security solutions for IoT ‍

Here’s our lineup of 20 of the best IoT security solutions available today.‍

1. Broadcom Symantec

A key player in IoT security, Broadcom Symantec offers comprehensive threat protection and compliance for endpoint security, identity security, data protection, and network security. The various tools fit together to create a comprehensive solution. Their critical system protection system includes encryption, access management services, and data loss prevention.‍

2. IBM IoT Security

IBM offers a variety of IoT security solutions, including protection for your mainframe, storage, and servers. Their resiliency services include threat management and a cyber incident recovery solution to help protect your business from cyber threats.‍

3. Trend Micro

This company’s IoT security solutions fall into three main boxes: endpoint, cloud, and email/mobile devices. Trend Micro’s offerings include a cloud security platform, vulnerability protection for end devices, endpoint encryption and data loss prevention, intrusion and advanced threat protection for networks, and hosted email security. The tools are targeted to a variety of sectors including automotive, smart factories, and enterprises.‍

4. Azure IoT

Part of Microsoft’s cloud computing service, Azure IoT Hub enables secure communication between IoT applications and devices. Azure IoT Edge secures data and devices at the edge, while Azure Sphere includes security service, expert monitoring, and a secure operating system.‍

5. AWS IoT Device Defender‍

A managed service designed to secure entire fleets of IoT devices, AWS IoT Device Defender constantly monitors IoT configurations like device identity verification, authorization, and data encryption against IoT security best practices. It also looks for devices that deviate from security metrics and sends out alerts if it notices any suspicious changes or security incidents.‍

6. Google Cloud IoT Core‍

Cloud IoT Core, a fully managed IoT solution compatible with global deployments, includes several security features to ensure data protection at the device and cloud level. Features include per-device public/private key authentication, support to rotate device keys, and API access that’s controlled by Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles and permissions.‍

7. FortiNAC

Created by Fortinet, FortiNAC provides network access control for IoT deployments. The tool prioritizes network visibility, letting network owners see every device as it joins the network and control where it can go and what information it can access. FortiNAC generates automated responses to notify operators within seconds if there’s a problem with a device or a perceived threat.

8. Armis

Armis is an agentless device security system, meaning that there’s no software to install on devices or machines. The solution can see every device on a network, identify security vulnerabilities, and allow organizations to spot rogue devices and deal with them before they pose a problem.‍

9. Forescout

Forescout offers a set of tools for network visibility and security, including eyeSight, which discovers, classifies, and assesses devices across the enterprise. eyeInspect allows you to discover, classify, and monitor OT network devices for real-time risk management, and eyeSegment accelerates the design, planning, and deployment of dynamic Zero Trust segmentation across your enterprise to reduce attack surface and regulatory risk.‍

10. CUJO AI Sentry

CUJO AI Sentry uses artificial intelligence to detect cyber threats on a network. Sentry runs without requiring software installation on end devices, automatically blocks threats, and sends out alerts to users as soon as it detects a problem. CUJO AI Sentry is designed for consumers as well as businesses.‍

11. Sectrio

Sectrio (a division of Subex) offers a comprehensive package of cybersecurity solutions designed for IoT, IT, OT, and 5G. It covers every type of deployment, connectivity protocol, and device architecture and includes real-time threat intelligence using threat libraries specific to the company’s industrial or commercial sector.‍

12. Rapid7‍

Rapid7 has a range of cybersecurity tools to keep IoT data and devices secure, including real-time risk assessment dashboards, penetration testing software, endpoint detection and visibility, and access to expert security advisory services.‍

13. Rambus CryptoManager

A cloud-based software development kit (SDK), CryptoManager Device Key Management lets users create key management services. Using key management, you can securely provision identities, device keys, and certificates.‍

14. Trustwave

Trustwave offers a managed IoT security service that monitors databases, networks, and web and mobile applications that support IoT devices at the edge. The service gives customers access to security insights from a global team of experts, SpiderLabs. They also provide managed security testing, IoT product security reviews and tests, and incident readiness services.‍

15. Bitdefender BOX

Designed to protect smart home devices on a home network, Bitdefender BOX secures all internet-connected devices on a home WiFi network. Its features include blocking malware, preventing password and identity theft, and impeding hacker attacks. It works with all common operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.‍

16. Palo Alto Networks

A comprehensive IoT security solution, Palo Alto Networks offers machine learning-powered visibility, prevention, and enforcement within a single platform. Security services are cloud-integrated and automatically assess risk, detect anomalies, and provide policy recommendations.

17. FirstPoint

An app-free solution, FirstPoint provides network-level cellular cybersecurity for any SIM or eSIM-based device. The service allows you to assign profiles to specific devices, manage and scale easily, and receive alerts about suspicious communications. It uses an on-device SIM applet to ensure security at the endpoint level.‍

18. SensorHound

SensorHound provides IoT-specific operations monitoring software that sends alerts with detailed diagnostic information when it detects software failures or security intrusions. You can monitor alerts via the cloud-based dashboard and use the forensic tool to perform source code diagnostics on each individual node.‍

19. CENTRI Protected Sessions

CENTRI Protected Sessions offers layered security for endpoints and edge data security for gateways. Its bi-directional approach works across any network, providing industry standard encryption, secured edge data, key rotation, and anti-tampering checks. It’s also able to integrate with Atonomi blockchain and enterprise APIs.‍

20. Overwatch

Overwatch gives you real-time threat mitigation for connected devices with an algorithm-based monitoring tool that warns users of security risks as they occur. The user-facing app gives you tools to manage device security, review and respond to threat alerts, and gather insights over time.‍

At Hologram, security is a priority

From device isolation to three layers of firewalls, Hologram places a high value on transparency, trust, and security. Protecting our customers’ data and devices is a priority for us — and we show it by constantly monitoring network connectivity to detect outages, tracking inconsistent data usage and sending alerts when suspicious usage is detected, and providing device management tools to pause and deactivate devices as needed.