Role of Ethical Hackers in the Era of the Internet of Things (IoT) 

Introduction 

With the Internet of things (IoT), an increasing number of devices are becoming smart enough to connect to the Internet and collect and share data over the Internet. It is not a stretch to say that IoT technology has become one of the important technologies of the 21st century. 

There are a plethora of IoT (Internet of Things) devices that are being deployed daily. The number of devices released daily is also increasing at an exponential scale. However, new technological advancement also brings new generation challenges. One of the biggest challenges with the Internet of Things (IoT) is the security of all connected devices. Each device opens up a new vector for cyber-criminals to attack. These devices often come with very fragile or even non-existent security, which makes them the perfect target for a hacking attack.  

Due to this, the Internet of Things (IoT) and operational technology (OT) have become the two most frequently exploited targets of such malicious hackers. These hacking attacks have also resulted in the increasing demand for Internet security professionals (i.e., Ethical hackers) to protect these devices. In this article, we will discuss what IoT hacking is, what is the role of ethical hackers in the security of IoT devices, and how you may be able to become an ethical hacker with just a simple online hacking course. 

What is Meant By IoT Hacking? 

IoT hacking is a cyber- attack that exploits the vulnerability of an IoT network or an IoT device to gain access to sensitive data. The term “IoT or Internet of Things” refers to a fast-growing network of linked devices that are embedded with the required technologies to connect with the Internet and exchange data with other IoT devices/systems on the Internet. IoT is a relatively new occurrence, but it has posed a significant threat to this new technology of the Internet of Things. 

The major risk posed by such IoT hacking attacks may include the following –  

1. Data Theft – IoT hacking attacks may provide hackers with access to sensitive data from IoT devices, which include – health information, passwords, and credit card information. 

2. Data Tampering – Hackers can use IoT devices to temper the crucial data of the IoT infrastructure rendering the whole IoT network unusable. 

3. DDoS attacks – A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack refers to crashing a website or other online resources with bot traffic. 

4. Access to private information or spying – IoT devices may include microphones and cameras (i.e., CCTV cameras, etc.) that can be used to spy on the users. 

Why Are IoT Devices More Vulnerable to Cyberattacks? 

IoT technology is relatively new technology and often lacks security controls. Fragile, or sometimes even non-existent, security in IoT devices makes them quite vulnerable to attacks by malicious hackers. Common security neglect that puts these devices at risk of being hacked may include – weak passcodes, unsecured data storage or transfers, delays in important security updates or even a lack of proper update process, Unsecured network services, etc. 

One of the most significant risks in the security of IoT devices is that their default passwords are widely known, which makes it easier to get compromised. Unsafe communication is the second most significant risk factor for IoT security. In most IoT devices, the data is stored and transferred in a non-encrypted manner. 

By understanding such vulnerabilities, cybercriminals can easily launch hacking on an IoT network. 

Importance of Ethical Hacking in the IoT 

Ethical hackers are individuals who can conduct penetration tests on the IoT network to search for any vulnerabilities in the system and to evaluate the overall security of the system. Ethical hackers are crucial to safeguard an IoT network from any such malicious activities. 

Ethical hackers study how the targeted IoT devices are designed to work, scan for any possible vulnerabilities that may arise with the device going online, they may try to launch various penetration attacks that may break the system or provide access to sensitive information, and finally assess any uncovered vulnerabilities. By understanding these vulnerabilities or threats, they can develop strategies to protect an IoT organization from these vulnerabilities. 

Role Of an Ethical Hacker in Defending IoT Devices  

The role of Ethical hackers in defending IoT devices is significant. They identify and assess all the security threats in a network using a variety of tools and techniques. With a clear understanding of the security flaws, Ethical Hackers develop various strategies. Let’s briefly discuss the role of an Ethical hacker in defending IoT devices –  

1. Get Information on the Attacker’s Techniques –  

Cybercriminals use a variety of techniques and tools to attack an IoT network. Ethical Hackers should be aware of all the various ways that cybercriminals may utilize to launch hacking attacks on IoT and OT devices. Some of the common ways that are carried out by malicious attackers include the following – 

• Brute Force Attacks: A Brute force attack occurs when malicious attackers simply attempt to guess some of the confidential credentials, like Passwords, etc., that are required to access the IoT device. 
• Malware: Malware refers to malicious software that can take control of the IoT device. This malware may steal important data or may launch more attacks on other connected systems. 

• Ransomware: Ransomware refers to a special type of malware that encrypts the data on targeted IoT devices and demands payments for decryption. 
• Social Engineering: In social engineering, the attackers may exploit human vulnerabilities like greed, ignorance, or trust. The most common example of Social engineering is phishing attacks, where attackers send fraudulent emails impersonating some legitimate individual or company. 
• DoS Attacks: Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to overwhelm the network or service by flooding them with fake traffic. 

2. Understand the Vulnerabilities & Risks Associated With IoT Devices –  

Ethical hackers should have an in-depth understanding of all the IoT devices connected to the Internet. They should acquire knowledge of any known threats and risks associated with the devices. Typically, threat modeling is used to identify and prioritize potential IoT security threats. IoT vulnerabilities are prioritized according to the potential consequence to the whole IoT network.  

3. Performing Simulated Cyberattacks to Uncover Vulnerabilities –  

Security professionals or Ethical hackers should keep on looking for any potential security flaws in the IoT network. Ethical Hackers use various applications to aid in finding any exploits in a network’s security. Ethical hackers commonly conduct many penetration tests like brute-force attacks, ransomware attacks, DoS or DDoS attacks, malware attacks, social engineering attacks, phishing attacks, and other simulated cyberattacks to uncover any vulnerabilities in the IoT network or IoT devices. 

Ethical hackers have to identify and secure all the possible vulnerabilities in the system before some malicious attackers may be able to exploit those vulnerabilities. 

4. Ethical Hackers Develop Strategies to Improve the Security Posture of the IoT Devices–  

By properly understanding all the risks and security flows of an IoT network, ethical hackers can develop strategies to safeguard the IoT network and the organization behind the network from any possible attack. These strategies may include – implementing security measures like Firewalls and Antivirus software, Developing strict password policies, providing education about the associated security risks to all the important members of the organization, etc. 

5. Tasked With Educating Employees & Other Members of Organizations – 

Ethical Hackers can help an enterprise in defending their IoT infrastructure by educating all the employees working in the enterprise, from entry-level employees to senior executives. Ethical hackers teach employees about all the threats and vulnerabilities associated with IoT devices. They also teach them the best possible way to defend themselves from such malicious hackers and how to react in case of an actual IoT hacking attack. 

Considering employees also have a lot of sensitive information about the IoT network, their security from a cyber- attack is also important. Cybercriminals can steal data from employees and then can use it to find vulnerabilities in the system. Thus, educating them about internet security is important for the organization’s success. 

Challenges Faced by Ethical Hackers in the IoT 

The Idea of the Internet of Things (IoT) has been in existence for a long time, but recent advancements in technology have made it a practical reality. However, there are still many challenges that are faced by this industry. The most prominent challenges in IoT technologies are related to security and privacy. 

Most IoT devices are not built with security being the first in mind, which results in numerous security challenges that can cause disastrous situations. Most users also do not understand the inherent risks involved with IoT systems. Even most of the employees working at such new-age enterprises might not have any idea about the depth of associated security challenges.  

Ethical hackers have to deal with all these security challenges and have to educate employees about them. Ethical hackers also have to teach employees how to keep the IoT network robust from malicious attackers and how to react if an IoT device is attacked. 

Some of the challenges may include the following –  

• Limited security integration – Because of the huge scale and variety of IoT devices, it is quite difficult to integrate all of them into a single security system. 
• High data volume – The humongous amount of data produced or collected by IoT devices renders it very challenging to manage and secure all that data. 
• Vulnerabilities caused by Open-source code – Most of the organizations that develop IoT devices often use open-source software, which is more prone to vulnerabilities and bugs.  
• Poor Testing – Security is not the utmost concern for most IoT developers; thus, it is often neglected. 
• Unpatched vulnerabilities – delay in installing important security updates or difficulty in assessing and installing patch fixes onto the target IoT device is also a serious security threat that Ethical hackers may have to face in the IoT industry. 

• Weak Passwords – Most IoT devices are deployed with the default device name and passwords. Users do not bother to change their device names or passwords, which provides cybercriminals with easy access to the IoT network. 

Become a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) With Knowledgehut 

The job of an ethical hacker is a job of high responsibility. As an ethical hacker, you will be responsible for the security of the entire organization. If you want to become an ethical hacker, then having a bachelor’s degree in computer science is beneficial. However, a bachelor’s degree won’t cut it to get a job as an Ethical Hacker. Fortunately, there are some quality courses on ethical hacking that may help you kickstart your career as an Ethical hacker. 

The Certified Ethical Hacking Course (CEH v12) by KnowledgeHut is the most recommended of all the hacking courses available online. It will help you understand and learn all the latest hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies. 

You should also note that ethical hacking skills are constantly evolving with time. Thus, you also have to constantly keep on learning to be relevant in this fast-changing world. 

Conclusion 

The ever-increasing cases of IoT (Internet of Things) and OT (operational technology) hacking is a clear sign that the cyber threat landscape is evolving. As more and more IoT devices are deployed every day, the cyber security risk will only continue to grow. Organizations must develop procedures to safeguard against such cyber- attacks; that’s where ethical hackers come in. 

Security professionals (i.e., ethical hackers) can help the organization in developing procedures and strategies to counter any malicious attacks on the IoT network. Resulting in huge demand for ethical hackers in this industry. 

In conclusion, ethical hackers have an important role in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT). You can also become an ethical hacker and contribute to the development of this technology by joining an online hacking course.