3
Internet of Lies – Automated systems are extremely capable of presenting misinformation in convincing formats.
IoT systems should always verify data from the edge to prevent autonomous misinformation from tainting a
system.
4
Exploit Autonomy – Automated systems are capable of complex, monotonous, and tedious operations that
human users would never tolerate. IoT systems should seek to exploit this advantage for security.
5
Expect Isolation – The advantage of autonomy should also extend to situations where a component is isolated.
Security countermeasures must never degrade in the absence of connectivity.
6
Protect Uniformly – Data encryption only protects encrypted pathways. Data that is transmitted over an encrypted
link is still exposed at any point it is unencrypted, such as prior to encryption, after decryption, and along any
communications pathways that do not enforce encryption. Careful consideration must be given to full data life
cycle to ensure that encryption is applied uniformly and appropriately to guarantee protections. Encryption is not
total - be aware that metadata about encrypted data might also provide valuable information to attackers.
7
Encryption is Tricky – It is very easy for developers to make mistakes when applying encryption. Using encryption
but failing to validate certificates, failing to validate intermediate certificates, failing to encrypt traffic with a
strong key, using a uniform seed, or exposing private key material are all common pitfalls when deploying
encryption. Ensure a thorough review of any encryption capability to avoid these mistakes.
8
System Hardening – Be sure that IoT components are stripped down to the minimum viable feature set to reduce
attack surface. Unused ports and protocols should be disabled, and unnecessary supporting software should be
uninstalled or turned off. Be sure to track third party components and update them where possible.
9
Limit what you can – To the extent possible limit access based on acceptable use criteria. There's no advantage
in exposing a sensor interface to the entire internet if there's no good case for a remote user in a hostile country.
Limit access to white lists of rules that make sense.
10
Life cycle Support – IoT systems should be able to quickly onboard new components, but should also be capable
of re-credentialing existing components, and deprovisioning components for a full device life cycle. This capability
should include all components in the ecosystem from devices to users.
11
Data in Aggregate is Unpredictable – IoT systems can collect vast quantities of data that may seem innocuous at
first, but complex data analysis may reveal very sensitive patterns or information hidden in data. IoT systems
must prepare for the data stewardship responsibilities of unexpected information sensitivity that may only be
revealed after an ecosystem is deployed.
12
Plan for the Worst – IoT systems should have capabilities to respond to compromises, hostile participants,
malware, or other adverse events. There should be features in place to re-issue credentials, exclude participants,
distribute security patches and updates, and so on, before they are ever necessary.
13
The Long Haul – IoT system designers must recognise that the extended lifespan of devices will require forward
compatible security features. IoT ecosystems must be capable of aging in place and still addressing evolving
security concerns. New encryption, advances in protocols, new attack methods and techniques, and changing
topology all necessitate that IoT systems be capable of addressing emerging security concerns for years after
they are deployed.
39
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