Users of Smart Devices Overlook Security Protocols of IoT, As Per NordVPN Research

New research of Nord VPN, the cybersecurity solution, reveals that users mostly do not consider or take the IoT devices' security seriously. Around 88% population have IoT devices of some kind in their house. But only a few of them take action against security risks. Interconnected devices are more than 21 billion across the globe as of July 2021. Most of these devices are important for commercial and civil infrastructure, along with smart lifestyle, healthcare management, and mobility. The IoT projects need to be successful with the emerging technologies and digital twins. As per Gartner, 63 percent of companies estimate to produce financial paybacks in 3 years due to their IoT projects.

However, the companies are not doing enough for the security of IoT devices. NordVPN report identified the present IoT industry security trends. People use numerous IoT devices in their everyday lives, but many are quite unsure about the IoT devices security framework which is necessary for protecting their devices. The research exhibit that the increase in usage of devices also leads to an increase in vulnerability. Companies should definitely take responsibility for their product safety.

However, users play a major role in cybersecurity, said Daniel Markuson, the privacy expert of NordVPN. The survey shows that the things lacking in cybersecurity habits, the devices people usually buy, and the ones who should be responsible for protecting those devices. IoT devices collect as well as send information. The sharing of information should be done more securely, like encrypted messages. But sometimes, it can also leak, maybe due to bad encryption or by providing extra information. In 2020, many Amazon Rings home security systems were hacked, which resulted in several lawsuits against Amazon.

IoT devices manufacturers always remain in a hurry in order to sell their gadgets more quickly. This leads to shipping the products with just the basic features necessary for them to just function. It shortens the cutting costs and development process. But when manufacturers rush just to sell their products, they leave big gaps in the security of the systems, adds Daniel Markuson. The behavior of users is just another aspect of the vulnerability of security, considering all other structural and technical issues. But still, one can take simple steps for improving the networks and devices security in their offices or home.

A majority of people use connected or IoT devices like routers and many other things. In fact, 12.3 percent of people do not have any of these devices. In the UK, there is most utilization of these devices, and only around 5% of people had no such devices. But there, people took the minimum action against security risks. Moreover, it is not the people of the UK who require improving their habits. In the US also, it shows similar results, and around 17 percent of people having IoT devices never took any protective measures. Canada and Netherlands people have a nice devices-to-behavior ratio. But France has score really well by having the least devices.

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