How to increase IoT security by managing cloud infrastructure permissions

The IoT market is expected to exceed $1.3 trillion this year, showing the scope of its reach. This development poses a significant challenge in the need to provide secure access to countless devices.

Managing permissions for cloud infrastructure (DIES) has just such potential, so let’s discuss a few points and examples to clarify what is at stake and how integration can be achieved with the least disruption.

The role of cloud infrastructure permission management in IoT device authentication

In an IoT-obsessed world, every connected device becomes a potential entry point for malicious actors. That’s why last year saw a 400% surge in malware targeting IoT devices. Robust authentication ensures that only authorized entities interact with these devices, mitigating this risk.

Imagine your home security system has been compromised by an unauthorized entity – it’s more than inconvenient; it is dangerous. Similarly, industrial systems that control sensitive machinery must rigorously protect against unauthorized interference.

Basic components of managing permissions for cloud infrastructure

To understand how CIEM works in IoT environments, let’s look at its key components, which include:

Identity and Access Management (IAM): Permissions govern the identity of users and their access levels.
Policy enforcement: Establishes rules about who can access what resources under certain conditions.
Audit trails: This records all activities, allowing you to track and respond to suspicious behavior quickly.

Together, these elements provide granular control over who can interact with each IoT device and how.

CIEM integration with your IoT ecosystem

Incorporating CIEM into existing infrastructure requires strategic planning, but offers significant benefits in terms of improved security.

The steps include:

Assess the current security situation: Assess existing security mechanisms and look for vulnerabilities.
Define clear rules: Develop precise rules detailing acceptable actions for each role in the ecosystem.
Implement automation tools: Use AI-powered tools to automate policy enforcement and monitoring in real time.
Update your policies regularly: As new threats emerge, continually refine access policies to stay ahead of attackers.

Let’s take a practical example of a healthcare provider using connected medical devices that transmit patient data across multiple platforms. In this case:

Implementing CIEM allows administrators to define strict access controls based on user roles such as physicians and administrative staff.
Automating policy updates ensures compliance with changing regulations, such as HIPAA, without the delays of manual intervention.

Benefits beyond safety

Enhanced authentication through CIEM not only prevents breaches – it streamlines operations by ensuring users have appropriate access to resources without unnecessary restrictions that reduce productivity:

For companies employing remote workers using intelligent office equipment
For consumers using interconnected home automation systems

As organizations increasingly integrate a variety of IoT applications, from sensors that track logistics in supply chains to consumer gadgets that control everyday life, end-to-end management is becoming more important every day.

Cross-platform IoT permission management challenges and solutions

Implementing IoT can increase productivity by up to 73%, but it comes at a price. Namely, the point is that managing IoT permissions is not a piece of cake at the best of times, and can be especially difficult when devices operate on multiple platforms.

As organizations diversify their technology stacks, it is imperative to implement consistent and secure access controls across these diverse environments.

Key challenges in cross-platform environments

Fragmented security policies: Different platforms often have their own set of security protocols, which causes inconsistencies.
Complex integration processes: Integrating CIEM solutions with various operating systems and hardware requires significant effort and technical knowledge.
Scalability issues: As the number of connected devices grows exponentially, maintaining efficient permission management puts a strain on existing resources.
Compliance requirements: Dealing with a laundry list of regulations complicates the process of ensuring all connected devices consistently comply with standards.

Strategies for overcoming fragmentation

Creating unified security policies is crucial. You can:

Develop cross-platform policy templates that standardize permissions regardless of underlying technology.
Use middleware solutions that automatically translate these standardized policies into platform-specific commands.

For example, a logistics company managing both traditional IT infrastructure and cutting-edge IoT-enabled tracking systems can use such templates to maintain consistency while still providing flexibility for each party’s unique requirements.

Simplifying integration efforts

Integration does not have to be an insurmountable obstacle. It will be easier if:

Leverage APIs from CIEM providers designed specifically for cross-platform compatibility.
Partner with external integrators that specialize in custom implementations – this can save you time and significantly reduce potential integration pitfalls.

Let’s imagine that you run a farm and, in addition to traditional ERP systems, you use intelligent irrigation sensors.

Using robust API frameworks enables seamless communication between newer IoT sensors collecting real-time soil moisture data and legacy ERP databases. It is this type of interoperability that is at the heart of what is necessary for both security and productivity.

Conclusion

The combination of IoT security and cloud infrastructure permission management is natural, and it doesn’t take an expert to see where the advantages lie. Now you know why it’s necessary to cultivate this connection and how you can overcome integration challenges. The next step is to implement the right systems and solutions in tandem and keep malicious actors at bay.