By Aslam Tajbhai, head of solutions at Data Management Professionals South Africa

From smart fridges that reorder groceries to traffic lights that optimise commutes, interconnected devices are creating a world of convenience and efficiency. However, with the rapidly expanding network comes a hidden challenge – a tsunami of data. With millions of connected everyday things such as cars, refrigerators or smart TVs, the data growth is exponential. These devices continuously collect and send information, which can be overwhelming to manage, protect and secure.

Unlike traditional data residing within data centres, which is much easier to protect, IoT-generated information originates at the network’s edge, posing significant challenges in terms of control, management, storage and security. Unsurprisingly, IoT devices can become easy targets for hackers, potentially causing havoc and financial ruin.

To successfully navigate and secure vast amounts of data generated by IoT devices, businesses must implement a robust data management strategy. The first step should be data classification to allow businesses to prioritise the security of critical and sensitive information.

Data analytics

Additionally, running data analytics on unstructured data is crucial as this helps businesses to identify redundant, obsolete and trivial data that can be archived or deleted, preventing it from accumulating and potentially falling into the wrong hands. Classifying data can ultimately drive down costs and help businesses better understand their data and know where it is located so that it can be secured effectively.

Several security concerns about data generated by IoT devices include:

• Easy hacking: Weak passwords and lack of updates make these devices vulnerable to hackers who can steal information or get into a network.
• Noisy connections: Some devices might send sensitive data openly, allowing anyone listening in to steal it.
• Too many gadgets, too little control: With so many devices, it is hard to keep track of security, which creates openings for attackers.
• Privacy worries: These devices collect a lot of data about people and it is not always clear how it is used or protected.

The best way to address these security concerns is to know exactly what information each device is gathering and ensure the latest security patches and updates are installed. Personal or sensitive data should be locked down and kept secure and, most importantly, data generated by these devices should always be protected.

Potential security risks

There are various potential security risks associated with inadequate data management and cybersecurity measures in the IoT space including attackers stealing or encrypting valuable customer or business data. Common security gaps like preset passwords, unsecured communication and outdated firmware can also leave IoT devices vulnerable to cyberattacks.

By engaging the services of a specialist data management company, organisations can ensure their IoT infrastructure is safeguarded against potential threats, mitigating the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. A reputable data management service provider will offer robust cyber resilience measures such as air gapping and clean room technology to ensure IoT data is kept secure.