However, these devices also introduce significant cybersecurity risks. The 2021 Verkada breach, where cybercriminals accessed live feeds from 150,000 security cameras, proves the risk of damage when IoT devices are compromised is severe. Regardless of whether it is due to default or weak passwords, a lack of firmware updates, or unprotected communications, if you do not implement proper security controls, your business could incur a data breach, a cyberattack, or an operational disruption when an IoT device behaves unexpectedly.

The purpose of this article is to provide IT managers, business owners, and security professionals with seven actionable steps to safely deploy IoT devices on their networks, assess the benefits offered by these devices, and maintain an adequate level of protection.

Why Security is Important with IoT

Just as IoT devices have powerful capabilities, they inherently lack or have inadequate security controls, which makes them an easy target for cybercriminals. A 2023 research study published by Cybersecurity Ventures estimated the global costs of cybercrime to be $8 trillion, also predicting that IoT devices would become an increasingly popular target for attacks. A single compromised device can lead to data breaches, loss of operational time, damage to reputation, or financial penalties, depending on the requirements, regulations, or standards that were violated, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA. Prioritizing security and controls will provide business value when it comes to realizing the true potential that IoT devices can offer. Here are seven helpful steps to accomplish this.

Steps to Secure IoT Implementation

1. Create an IoT Plan

Collaborate with the business to ensure that IoT implementations align with the business purpose, while also evaluating any security risks that need to be addressed.

Clearly defined goals, such as optimizing supply chain operations or accelerating the Customer Experience (CX), should be established. Evaluate the sensitivity of data and determine how it should be protected. Ensure that the devices you want to deploy support secure protocols (TLS version 1.3). Conduct a risk assessment to identify the vulnerabilities, consider using the Cisco IoT Control Center, and understand how devices interact with each other from a security hygiene standpoint.

2. Isolate Your Network

Keeping IoT devices separated from more sensitive systems or networks can help limit the damage if an attacker breaches your defense.

Implement a virtual local area network (VLAN) to isolate your IoT devices from servers and workstations. Then, write your firewall rules to limit traffic to the absolute minimum necessary for the device to operate. This could mean allowing access only to vendors’ systems, such as those from Palo Alto Networks. If the device is truly inconsequential, such as a smart TV, connect it to your guest Wi-Fi, which allows even further reductions in permission.

3. Assess Vendors and Devices

Devices are often poorly engineered, and vendors are not always secure. Therefore, it is crucial to assess vendors thoroughly.

Choose reputable vendors like Cisco or Siemens, who offer strong encryption (AES-256, TLS 1.3) and regularly updated firmware. Check if your devices have any open default passwords, and provide privacy policies publicly and unobscured. One advantage is that it minimizes the risks associated with the deployment of poorly engineered and insecure devices.

4. Enforce Strong Authentication and Access Controls

Weak authentication is a straightforward method for an attacker to gain entry to devices that have been inadequately protected, as well as those with some security measures in place, as the Verkada breach can attest. Consider it a warning.

Force strong, unique, not default, credentials, and where possible, enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) of the device management interface. Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to manage and control user access, restrict unnecessary permissions, and limit unneeded access, such as remote access or the ability to connect to ports that are not required. IT administrators and disable remote management unless critical.

5. Educate Employees on Internet of Things Risks

The most significant contributor to IoT incidents is human error.

Educate employees on IoT risk awareness that includes phishing attacks or downloading firmware from “unverified” websites. Create a clear, concise, and understandable plan outlining what employees can and cannot do with IoT devices, as well as the procedures to follow when using them. Provide periodic refresh training on good practices.

6. Be Compliant

Any IoT implementation is subject to regulations that you must comply with; failure to do so will result in fines and penalties specific to your industry.

Be aware of what regulators will be looking for. To give an example, the GDPR will focus on data minimization, and HIPAA requires the protection of patient data. Utilize encryption and access controls in your IoT solutions to help ensure compliance with relevant standards. It may be necessary to maintain audit logs of records if they are an explicit requirement for compliance. Encrypt temperature data before transmission to a cloud dashboard.

7. Detect Threats Early

Detecting threats early is very important for IoT security. Use tools like Nagios XI to monitor devices being used and watch for suspicious activity, such as spikes in data usage. Use an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) like Snort to determine compromised devices. Perform compliance investigations to review device configurations and logs occasionally.

• Related Reading: Securing Third-Party IoT Devices in 2025: Best Practices for Protection

Final Thoughts

IoT devices are transforming the way we conduct business, and we must not overlook the cybersecurity risks they pose. There are excellent tools available, such as Nagios XI and AWS IoT Device Defender, that help ensure a healthy IoT ecosystem. If you follow the seven steps above (create an IoT plan, network segmentation, assess vendors and devices, active monitoring, etc.), you can successfully integrate IoT devices safely and build resilience to cyber threats.

Why Robots Can Pose a Security Risk

Robots are incredibly advanced; however, they will still have very similar vulnerabilities to your standard IoT devices, such as having weak default passwords. Given that they have digital access as well as physical access, it’s especially important that these devices are secured. As robots being added into enterprise environments is still new, there haven’t been many examples of a security breach with them; however, the risks involved when security breaches are discovered have a huge impact.

In April 2025, researchers discovered that the Unitree Go1 robot dog contained a hidden backdoor service that could be activated without the user’s knowledge or consent. Once the device is connected to the internet, it would automatically initiate a remote access tunnel, potentially allowing hackers to take control of the robot, view its live camera feed, and access the underlying system via SSH. The researchers demonstrated that anyone with access to the necessary API keys could exploit this vulnerability, making it a serious and immediate threat.

In addition to the digital threats of having your data leaked or stolen, it is important to remember that a robot is also capable of interacting physically. Should it malfunction, or even worse, get hacked, it can easily lead to injuries, property damage, or restricted spaces being accessed. Normal IoT devices can give data, but with a robot, if someone from the outside gets control of it, they can cause a lot more harm, both to employees and the company.

Best Practices

Many of the best practices from our article on securing IoT systems apply directly to robots as well, since they are likely to be network-connected devices. However, in the case of robots, some of these practices become even more important, and there are also a few additional concerns unique to robotics that deserve special attention.

1. Change Default Passwords and Strengthen Authentication

Changing default passwords is one of the simplest and most important steps in securing a robot. Many devices ship with factory-set credentials that are widely known, making them easy targets for attackers. These should be replaced immediately with strong, unique passwords. For added protection, especially when robots connect to cloud services or internal systems, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) or certificate-based access. Securing login credentials early helps prevent one of the most common and avoidable threats.

2. Know What’s on Your Network: Asset Visibility and Inventory

Robots can quietly join a network without drawing attention, especially in large or fast-moving environments. That makes real-time visibility essential. Use tools like Nmap or Nessus to scan for connected devices and log key details like IP address, manufacturer, and firmware version. For larger setups, platforms like AWS IoT Device Management or Azure IoT Hub can automate this process and alert you when new or unknown devices appear. Keeping track of every connected robot helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

3. Encrypt Data

Robots contain sensitive information such as video streams from their camera, location data, and control commands. It’s important to protect this information by encrypting both the data being sent across networks and the data stored on the device or in the cloud. Using strong encryption methods, such as TLS for network communication and AES for stored data, helps prevent attackers from intercepting, reading, or altering critical information. This keeps robot operations secure and protects user privacy.

4. Implement Network Segmentation and Monitoring

Keeping robots on a separate part of your network helps limit the damage if one gets compromised. Using isolated VLANs or subnets means an attacker can’t easily move from a robot to more sensitive systems. In addition, continuous monitoring tools like Nagios can watch for unusual activity, such as unexpected connections or spikes in data, that might signal a security issue. This combination of isolation and vigilance helps detect problems early and contain threats before they spread.

5. Keep Software Up to Date

Robots run on software that can have security flaws. Making sure these are regularly updated is extremely important as the updates will likely contain patches or fixes to previously known security vulnerabilities. If possible, we want these devices to update automatically as well as keep an eye on what these updates entail so we can make sure they stay protected against both the old threats and any new threats.

6. Ensure it Can be Stopped

Since robots are capable of moving around as well as physically interacting with the environment around them, it’s essential to ensure a way of stopping it should it go out of control for any reason. A button on the device, a remote kill switch, or some sort of software should be made to shut down the robot should this happen. While you could also simply disable the motors to stop it from moving, it’ll be more secure to shut down the device completely to cut off any connection if it were hacked.

Conclusion

As robots become more common in workplaces, keeping them secure is more important than ever. Understanding their unique risks and following simple best practices, like changing default passwords, keeping track of devices on your network, encrypting data, separating networks, and regularly updating software, can help protect your business from costly hacks. Taking these steps isn’t just about technology; it’s about making sure your team can safely get the most out of these powerful tools.

The 2016 Mirai Botnet, which disrupted major websites by exploiting unsecured IoT devices, serves as a stark reminder of these vulnerabilities. According to jumpcloud, “more than 50% of IoT devices have critical vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit right now.”

This article explores the risks of third-party IoT devices and outlines practical strategies to secure and monitor your IoT ecosystem effectively.

Why Third-Party IoT Devices Pose Risks

The rapid growth of IoT devices brings undeniable benefits, but their security challenges are significant. Weak default passwords, unencrypted data, and irregular updates make these devices prime targets for cyberattacks. Hackers can exploit them to steal data, disrupt operations, or even launch large-scale attacks. The good news? With the right approach, you can mitigate these risks and maintain a secure network. Below are ten best practices for securing and monitoring third-party IoT devices.

1. Know What’s on Your Network

You can’t secure what you don’t see. Untracked IoT devices are like hidden weak spots in your network, ready to be exploited.

• Inventory scanning: Use Nmap or Nessus to perform periodic network scans that detect and catalog every IoT device. Capture attributes such as manufacturer, model, MAC address, and firmware version.
• Cloud-based asset management: Leverage AWS IoT Device Management or Microsoft Azure IoT Hub to automate inventory updates and generate alerts for unknown devices.

Benefit: Ensures comprehensive visibility into all IoT endpoints.

2. Lock Them Down with Network Segmentation

A single compromised device, like a smart camera, shouldn’t bring down your entire network.

• Deploy IoT devices on isolated VLANs or subnets separate from sensitive systems (NIST SP 800‑190).
• Configure firewall rules to restrict traffic to essential services only.
• Apply zero‑trust principles: require mutual authentication and minimal permissions for device-to-device communication.

Benefit: Prevents lateral movement across your corporate network.

3. Strengthen Authentication

Weak credentials, like the default “admin” exploited in the Mirai botnet, are a major security gap.

Replace default credentials with strong, unique passwords. Use X.509 certificates for device-to-cloud authentication and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for admin access where possible. These steps lock out unauthorized users and keep your devices secure.

Benefit: Prevents unauthorized access and brute force attacks.

4. Stay on Top of Updates

Outdated firmware leaves devices vulnerable to known exploits.

• Subscribe to CVE Details feeds and vendor security advisories.
• Automate firmware patch deployment with tools such as AWS IoT Device Management or Balena.
• Retire end-of-life devices that no longer receive security updates.

Benefit: Closes security gaps before they can be exploited.

5. Monitor with Tools Like Nagios

IoT devices can show subtle signs of trouble, like unusual data spikes or rogue connections. Proactive monitoring catches these early.

Nagios XI and Nagios Network Analyzer let you set baselines for device behavior, track network traffic, and spot anomalies almost instantly. Nagios XI lets you monitor everything from CPU, Memory, and Disk usage and integrates it with Nagios Log Server for instant alerts.

Benefit: Enables early detection of potential threats, enhancing response times.

6. Encrypt Everything

Unencrypted data can be intercepted by attackers, allowing them to monitor user activity and steal sensitive information.

Ensure devices use TLS 1.3 for communication and MQTT with encryption for messaging. Use AES-256 for local data storage. Edge computing can also help by processing sensitive data locally, reducing exposure during transmission. These measures keep your data safe from eavesdroppers.

Benefit: Maintains confidentiality and integrity of IoT data.

7. Limit Who Can Touch Them

Physical access or unchecked admin privileges can lead to big problems.

Use tamper-evident seals to secure devices and role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict administrative access. Monitor logs for suspicious activity to catch unauthorized attempts early. Tight access controls protect your devices from tampering or misuse.

Benefit: Reduces risks from insider and outsider threats.

8. Test for Weak Spots

Waiting for hackers to find vulnerabilities is a risky bet.

Run regular penetration tests and vulnerability scans with tools like OpenVAS or Burp Suite. Simulate real-world attacks to identify weaknesses, such as unpatched firmware or weak encryption, before they’re exploited. This proactive approach keeps your defenses sharp.

Benefit: Ensures continuous improvement of security posture.

9. Check Your Vendors Carefully

Not all IoT manufacturers prioritize security, and a weak vendor can mean a weak device.

• Require vendor adherence to standards such as ISO 27001 or ETSI EN 303 645.
• Review vendor patch cadence, security disclosure policies, and transparency reports.
• Incorporate security requirements and liability clauses into procurement contracts.

Benefit: Reduces introduction of vulnerable devices.

10. Have a Plan for When Things Go Wrong

Breaches, like the 2021 Verkada hack where attackers accessed 150,000 cameras, highlight the need for preparedness.

Develop IoT-specific incident response plans with isolation protocols and detailed logging for forensic analysis. Regularly test these plans to ensure rapid response and containment during an attack.

Benefit: Minimizes impact and recovery time during real-world incidents.

Quick Look at IoT Security Practices

Final Thoughts

Third-party IoT devices are key to modern operations but carry real security risks. Keep a tight inventory, segment networks, enforce encryption, vet vendors, and monitor with tools like Nagios. Cyber threats are a matter of “when,” not “if.” These steps keep your IoT ecosystem secure and ready for action.