This was interesting look at home IoT is used in home security today and it's current downfalls. However, the items that seem IoT specific are ones that are issues in implementation, not application.

To frame what I mean when I say "IoT specific", I'm pointing out that many of the examples that he highlights are also the downfall of traditional security systems as well. If you have remote monitoring, and you internet/telephone line goes down, IoT or not, you've lost the service end of discussion.

  It doesn’t take a professional to realize his particular 
  house of cards is about as fragile as they come. It is built 
  on the assumption that one’s WiFi will always work, their 
  internet connection will always be up, power will always be 
  on, and every piece of software and firmware is stable and 
  trustworthy."

Power loss on traditional security, wifi loss on traditional security, hard wire cut on traditional security, all of these will take their toll as well, not just on an IoT system.

Onto the IoT specific related items. The implementation issues that he highlights; having to have your app open to record footage. Your cellphone being at the bottom of you bag and you can't reach it. These are all problems that can happen already. If you can't reach your phone when the security company calls you to notify of a break in, this is the same problem.

I understand why there is a lot of distaste for IoT, and all the security pitfalls that happen. However this is not an inherent issue to the concept, rather is a breakdown of implementation of security protocols that are not being followed and a lack of learning from traditional systems that isn't being applied.

After thinking about this for a while there are ways to bolster an IoT security or monitoring system: > Power / connection required for signaling. So rather than waiting for a system to signal something is wrong, wait for a heartbeat to die. > Battery back up: Pretty obvious. You should have a way to at least keep your systems for a period while you get power restored > Multiple links to a central service. WiFi and Cellular, monitor for connections going down and built in trouble shooting to notify the user if there is one or the other > Centralized data center for always on recording, pay an additional $10/mo for the ability to store your data elsewhere or offer local 24 hour recordings in the security base station in your home like many dash cams have now.

As for security concerns I look at it this way. Remote connections are something we've got down pat, assuming everyone follows it. Blaming IoT on being inherently insecure is like blaming the database password leaks on mysql rather than an open port and plain text user name / passwords.

I think IoT security has a place and purpose that offers benefits over a traditional system, we're just waiting for the right implementation.

user:	jaredraby
created:	August 20, 2016
karma:	55