NASA shares concerns about IoT security failures

The internet of things is growing rapidly, and more devices bring more potential entry points for hackers. Over 20 billion devices are forecast to become connected by 2020, according to Gartner, which means 20 billion extra targets for hackers.

Security challenges are not only faced by consumers, but also by enterprises that struggle with outdated software, employee negligence and weak firewalls.

US President Donald Trump granted NASA $30 million in budget to improve cybersecurity strategy, but the agency is already questioning traditional security practices and their efficiency in safeguarding the internet of things, which is “beginning to change our lives as we know it, in not such a good way,” according to Jerry Davis, Chief Information Office at NASA Ames Research Center.

Manufacturers are rushing to release innovative connected devices to meet user demands but the major industry problem is creating devices on “60 years of bad software development,” Davis explained at the GITEC conference. “Security has always been everyone’s problem. We have to rely on everybody that’s in the community to mitigate these issues.”

California is also looking into passing a bill that calls attention to the urgent need for a minimum level of security for connected devices. The proposal “calls for connected device manufacturers to secure their devices, protect the information they collect or store, indicate when they are collecting it, get user approval before doing so, and be proactive in informing users of security updates.”