What Is IoT Security?

How can billions of connected devices stay secure as they exchange data across networks, platforms, and applications? IoT security protects the devices, data, identities, and networks that keep connected systems running safely.

In this part of our IoT Basics series, we explore the key principles of IoT security, from device protection and encrypted communication to identity management, secure updates, and regulations shaping global standards.

For an overview of the full IoT ecosystem, from connections and communications to security and market insights, download IoT Basics: A Guide to IoT Terms.

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Last updated: May 2026

Key IoT Security Risks, Controls, and Regulations

IoT security combines device protection, network security, identity management, encryption, monitoring, and governance to reduce risk across connected systems.

How Can IoT Security Risk Be Mitigated?

As IoT deployments grow, so does the attack surface. Each connected sensor, module, gateway, SIM, platform, and API can introduce risk if it is poorly configured, left unpatched, or connected without sufficient authentication and access control.

IoT security risks can be reduced by identifying connected assets, monitoring vulnerabilities, protecting device identities, encrypting data in transit, managing access privileges, and keeping software and firmware up to date. These controls help protect the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of connected systems throughout the device lifecycle.

Recent threat research reinforces the importance of visibility and lifecycle security. Check Point Research’s Cyber Security Report 2026 highlights unmonitored routers, gateways, VPN appliances, and other perimeter devices as growing initial-access targets, with risks amplified by misconfigurations, unmanaged assets, and identity weaknesses.

Security by design is especially important in IoT because many devices remain deployed for years in vehicles, factories, utility networks, buildings, and remote locations. The revised GSMA IoT Security Guidelines recommend security best practices throughout the IoT service lifecycle, including risk assessment, secure design, data protection, and ongoing vulnerability management.

The terms below explain the main IoT security, identity, encryption, access control, regulatory, and tracking concepts used in connected deployments.

IoT and Data Security

Botnet

A network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners’ knowledge.

GDPR

General Data Protection Regulation

This came into force in May 2018 and imposes rules on controlling and processing personally identifiable information.

IPSec

A secure network protocol suite that authenticates and encrypts the packets of data sent over an internet protocol network. IPSec uses cryptographic security services to protect communications over IP networks.

ICS

Industrial control systems

A collective term used to describe different types of control systems and associated instrumentation, which include the devices, systems, networks, and controls used to operate or automate industrial processes.

IAM

Identity and access management

A framework that facilitates the management of electronic or digital identities, ensuring only authorized entities access specific systems.

NIST

National Institute of Standards and Technology

US regulatory body NIST has offered frameworks for IoT security and Congress passed the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act in December 2020. It also requires NIST to publish standards and guidelines on the use and management of IoT devices.

PAM

Privileged Access Management

Privileged access management helps organizations control, monitor, secure, and audit privileged human and non-human identities. It is used to reduce the risk of credential theft, privilege misuse, and unauthorized access to critical systems.

Device Identity and PKI

Public Key Infrastructure

The use of digital certificates and cryptographic keys to guarantee secure communication and identity verification before allowing network access.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that extorts victims for financial gain. Once activated, it prevents users from interacting with their files, applications or systems until a ransom is paid.

Secure Element and TPM

Dedicated, tamper-resistant hardware chips embedded in a device specifically designed to securely store cryptographic keys and protect authentication data.

SBOM

Software Bill of Materials

A formal, machine-readable inventory detailing all open-source and third-party software components included in a device’s firmware, crucial for modern vulnerability management.

Data Sovereignty

The legal principle dictating that data is subject to the laws and governance structures of the nation where it is collected or stored.

Shadow IoT

Terms to describe IoT devices in active use without the knowledge of the owner or their IT departments.

TLS

Transport Layer Security

An encryption protocol used to protect data in transit between computers enabling two computers to agree to encrypt the information in a way they both understand.

ZTA

Zero Trust Architecture

ZTA is a security model where no user, device, or service is automatically trusted, whether inside or outside the network. Access is continuously verified based on identity, device posture, context, and policy.

CRA

Cyber Resilience Act

The Cyber Resilience Act is an EU law that introduces cybersecurity requirements and vulnerability-handling obligations for products with digital elements throughout their lifecycle.

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Tracking and Identification

IMEI

International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)

A unique identification or serial number that all mobile phones and smartphones have. It is normally 15 digits long.

International Article Number / EAN

A barcode symbology and numbering system used in global trade to identify a specific retail product type, in a specific packaging configuration, from a specific manufacturer.

MEID

Mobile Equipment Identifier

A globally unique number identifying a physical piece of CDMA2000 mobile equipment.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification

RFID devices are used for data transmission and capture by way of radio waves.

Smart label

An enhanced version of a bar code. Unlike traditional bar codes, a smart label can contain much more information about a product. Smart labels take the shape of RFID tags, Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags, or the most commonly seen, QR codes.

UID

Unique Identifier

A number given to any device within any system to allow the ability to interact with it.

URI

Uniform Resource Identifier

A string of characters that unambiguously identifies a particular resource.