No-one could have imagined how important smart devices would become in modern life, for businesses and in the home. We are connected as never before. From your smartphone you can adjust your thermostat, boil your kettle, switch the lights on and a whole lot more. It’s all a bit like magic, and that means it’s easy to forget about more mundane things, like security. You may have some awareness about the security threats that connected devices and ‘the internet of things’ can pose. The important thing is to make sure that you take steps so that your connected devices are secure.
Cloud Connectivity
How does smart technology work? Devices are controlled because the item or system can communicate with another device, usually a smartphone. It uses the cloud to do this. This is where problems can arise. The connections that are used are not necessarily secured and often the data that is transferred is not always encrypted. That means that hackers who know where to access the data can hijack the connection and help themselves to whatever is useful. If you’re using smart technology, either at work or in your home, it’s important to make sure that the connection your smart device uses is secure and the data is encrypted.
Permissions are Crucial
All smartphone users are familiar with installing apps that then ask for access to all sorts of things on your phone – your contacts, camera, microphone and more. It might be tempting just to grant all the permissions that an app asks for, especially since it usually won’t work unless you do. Unfortunately, this might leave you vulnerable to data harvesting by some shadowy third parties. The more apps you have and the more permissions you grant, the more likely you are to fall victim to hackers. Be cautious and limit permissions whenever possible.
The secret to maximizing the security of your connected devices and smart technology is to understand how it works and what it’s doing, especially when it comes to your data. Before adding a smart device to your infrastructure, make sure you know what it entails. If you aren’t sure, consult an IT professional. It’s their job to assist people with technology – and that includes the importance of making sure your data stays secure and out of the hands of hackers.
Quikteks can assist you with smart technology solutions for your business, with security a priority. To find out more about how we can keep your business assets secure, call us at (973) 882-4644.