5G and the Internet of Things: the security risks

It’s called IoT and it stands for Internet of Things or the Internet of Things, a technology that initially succeeded in our homes with “smart” devices for home automation: security cameras that detect any movement and if they do not recognize the people living in that house send an alarm signal, lamps that can generate any shade on command and that can be controlled remotely, heating systems and air conditioners that, through smartphone location detection, turn on when we are about to return home and turn off when we leave. Audio speakers with digital assistants that we can ask for information of any kind or to play our favorite playlist. Of course, understanding the potential of this technology, IoT has been rapidly extended to business use growing year by year in almost every industry. According to a recent Kaspersky Lab report, 61 percent of companies globally and 69 percent in Italy have implemented IoT applications in 2019. The advantage is that this technology offers cost savings and greater production efficiency; the disadvantage is security risks: the more devices are connected, the greater the chance that cyber criminals can enter the corporate network to steal information. According to Gartner, the well-known multinational information technology research and analysis company, we will have about 25 billion IoT connections by 2025. All this is without considering that with the arrival of 5G technology, the Internet of Things will forcefully enter strategic sectors such as hospitals, transportation, logistics, and automated manufacturing.

The “smart city”

Mistakenly, 5G is often simply referred to as the technology that will make our smartphone connections better and faster, but the reality is quite different. In fact, 5G represents the future of the Internet of Things, as it can guarantee signal latency of less than a millisecond on wireless networks. This responsiveness is a feature that in the future will enable seamless remote control management of high-precision industrial machinery, hospital instruments (with the ability to conduct remote operations), and even the control of self-driving cars. 5G is also an essential technology for the Smart City concept, the cities of the near future that will need to rely on fast wireless infrastructure to control lighting systems, security cameras, smart traffic lights, automated transportation, and more…

Problems in sight?

In fact, the problem is already real and concrete; in the Kaspersky Lab report cited in the opening, it was found that 42 percent of European companies and public administrations are facing cybersecurity incidents targeting connected devices. This finding confirms the need for IoT applications to be carefully protected; therefore, it is critical for companies to have thorough analyses performed to verify systems and infrastructure before activating iOT services. This is a task that should be assigned to experienced security companies such as Hypergrid, which has a team capable of verifying system security standards with the most up-to-date technology, both for private companies for and entities that provide services to citizens. In addition to pointing out any vulnerabilities detected, Hypergrid is able to propose solutions to eliminate the problem.

For consultation and more information about the services offered by Hypergrid, contact us at: info@hypergrid.it