IoT survey from Palo Alto Networks highlights the need for shared responsibility among remote workers and IT teams to secure their enterprise
TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2021 /CNW/ -- Cyber adversaries know that one small IoT sensor can provide entry into a corporate network to launch ransomware attacks and more. According to a survey of IT decision-makers by Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW), 84% of respondents in North America (among those whose organization has IoT devices connected to its network) reported an increase in non-business IoT devices on corporate networks in the last year. Smart lightbulbs, heart rate monitors, connected gym equipment, coffee machines, game consoles and even pet feeders are among the list of the strangest devices identified on such networks in the study.
For the second year, survey responses warn of needed security changes to protect corporate networks from non-business IoT devices. This year, 96% of the same group above indicated their organization's approach to IoT security needs improvement, and 1 in 4 (25%) said it needs a complete overhaul with the greatest capability needs around threat protection (59%), risk assessment (55%), and IoT device context for security teams (55%).
"IoT adoption has become a critical business enabler. It presents new security challenges that can only be met if employees and employers share responsibility for protecting networks," said Ivan Orsanic, regional vice president and country manager, Canada at Palo Alto Networks. "Remote workers need to be aware of devices at home that may connect to corporate networks via their home router. Enterprises need to better monitor threats and access to networks and create a level of segmentation to safeguard remote employees and the organization's most valuable assets."
Worth noting, of the 400 North American IT decision-makers polled by Palo Alto Networks this year that have IoT devices connected to their network, half (50%) indicated that IoT devices are segmented on a separate network from the one they use for primary business devices and business applications (e.g. HR system, email server, finance system, etc.), and another 29% of respondents said that IoT devices are microsegmented within security zones — an industry best practice where organizations create tightly controlled security zones on their networks to isolate IoT devices and keep them separate from IT devices to avoid hackers from moving laterally on a network.
Top 3 IoT Security Tips for the Work-from-Home (WFH) Employee
Top 3 IoT Security Tips for the Enterprise
Palo Alto Networks helps secure IoT devices with IoT Security, which combines machine learning with patented App-ID™ technology to provide the most accurate and deepest level of visibility into your IoT and OT devices for effective baselining of their normal behaviors. The solution empowers security teams to proactively prevent threats, monitor device risk, detect anomalies, and recommend then apply policies for enforcement.
For more information:
Survey Methodology
Palo Alto Networks commissioned technology research firm Vanson Bourne, which polled 1,900 IT decision-makers at organizations in 18 countries: United States, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, Middle East (comprising of UAE and Saudi Arabia), Spain, Italy, Ireland, Australia, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.
About Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, is shaping the cloud-centric future with technology that is transforming the way people and organizations operate. Our mission is to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. We help address the world's greatest security challenges with continuous innovation that seizes the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, analytics, automation, and orchestration. By delivering an integrated platform and empowering a growing ecosystem of partners, we are at the forefront of protecting tens of thousands of organizations across clouds, networks, and mobile devices. Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.
Palo Alto Networks, App-ID and the Palo Alto Networks logo are trademarks of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.
About Vanson Bourne
Vanson Bourne is an independent specialist in market research for the technology sector. Their reputation for robust and credible research-based analysis is founded upon rigorous research principles and their ability to seek the opinions of senior decision makers across technical and business functions, in all business sectors and all major markets. For more information, visit www.vansonbourne.com.
Palo Alto Networks® PA-3200 Series of next-generation firewalls comprises the PA-3260, PA-3250 and PA-3220, all of which are targeted at high-speed internet gateway deployments.
Palo Alto Networks® PA-5200 Series of next-generation firewall appliances comprises the PA-5260, the PA-5250 and the PA-5220, which target high-speed data center, internet gateway and service provider deployments. The PA-5200 Series delivers up to 72 Gbps of throughput using dedicated processing and memory for the key functional areas of networking, security, threat prevention and management.
Palo Alto Networks PA-220 brings next-generation firewall capabilities to distributed enterprise branch offices, retail locations and midsized businesses.
Key features, performance capacities and specifications for all Palo Alto Networks firewalls.
Average Ransom Payment for Canadian Organizations More Than C$450,000, According to New Palo Alto Networks Survey
Cortex™ XSOAR is a comprehensive security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) platform that unifies case management, automation, real-time collaboration and threat intel management to serve security teams across the incident lifecycle.