What Is IoT Security? Key Risks, Challenges, and Solutions

Summary: The Internet of Things security system protects linked devices and their associated networks from cyberattacks, data theft, and system downtime. Most IoT devices lack built-in security features and have difficult update processes, and transmit data beyond the detection capabilities of standard cybersecurity systems.

Resolute Partners addresses these risks through network-level IoT security solutions that combine unified network design with network segmentation, continuous monitoring, and live video monitoring to enhance security across enterprise environments.

US businesses today use connected devices, which include cameras and sensors, access systems, and industrial controls as essential parts of their everyday business. The majority of Internet of Things devices are designed to function as intended; however, their lack of security often results from missing encryption and update mechanisms, which exceed the basic cybersecurity standards considered during their design.

Organizations require security systems that protect their networks and connected devices from emerging threats as IoT technology adoption experiences rapid growth. Don’t let the Internet of Things become the Internet of Threats.

The Internet of Things  protects devices and their data through its security technologies and protective security methods. Most

What Is IoT Security and Why Does It Matter?

 IoT devices were built for efficiency, not defense. The devices use default login credentials to transmit data with limited security measures because their activities remain hidden from conventional security systems, making them accessible to hackers. The breach entitles an infrared detector, sensor, or access point to become an organizational risk.

What Is Meant by IoT Safety vs. IoT Security?

IoT security and IoT safety show a close relationship, yet they maintain distinct differences. The primary goal of IoT security is to stop attackers from conducting data theft operations, device takeover attempts, and unauthorized access attempts. IoT safety protects three main elements, which include people, property, and business operations. When a connected device is compromised, the impact can move beyond digital systems and create real physical risks, especially in industrial environments where disrupted controls can threaten safety and continuity.

Why IoT Security Is a Growing Concern in the US

The count of interconnected devices is increasing at a high rate. More than 17 billion active IoT devices are operating worldwide in 2026, with the total expected to rise by 2030. Every new IoT endpoint serves as a potential security weakness.

In addition, there is a wide range of devices, vendors, and communication standards. Most devices do not support the installation of security software or regular updates. Some devices remain in use for years after deployment, despite evolving security threats.

This fast growth, a variety of hardware, and a lack of updated tools place IoT security in the limelight of enterprise decision makers. It is no longer a “thing” to bring in later or as an afterthought.

How Does IoT Security Work Across Connected Systems?

IoT security does not simply entail locking down a single device or another. It needs a stratified solution across devices, networks, and platforms.

Device‑Level Security

Device security systems control access to protected equipment by allowing only authorized users and systems to connect. Basic security requirements include changing default passwords, using strong authentication methods, and disabling unnecessary system services. However, not every IoT device has sufficient resources to support these standard security practices.

Network and Communication Security

The network around IoT devices is where real protection can be applied. The blast radius from a compromised device should be limited through segmenting IoT devices away from essential business systems. The network traffic monitoring system detects anomalies that device-level protections are unable to identify. Centralized controls enable security teams to implement security policies throughout large system networks.

Cloud and Platform Security

Most IoT applications are connected to cloud services to be stored, analyzed, or even controlled remotely. The only way to achieve those connections is encryption during transit and at rest, strict access control, and constant monitoring of the platform environment. These connections can be the linking point between Internet of Things devices and the enterprise systems, and they are also the most desirable targets for attackers.

What Are the Biggest IoT Security Risks in 2026?

US organizations face common vulnerabilities because hackers use real-world exploits to show how connected systems enable them to access networks, disrupt operations, and endanger safety.

Unsecured Devices and Weak Credentials

All IoT devices still use default passwords, which require little to no effort to guess according to most vendors, thus making their devices vulnerable to hacker attacks. The Mirai botnet searched the internet and found such devices and infected them to form a network of bots, which then launched a mass denial-of-service attack that crippled major services, including Twitter, Netflix, and Reddit. The infected devices create a pathway for attackers to enter business networks.

Example: When attackers maintained default credentials, they succeeded in breaching smart building platforms and control systems, which enabled them to control locks, lighting, elevators, and electrical management systems.

Data Breaches and Privacy Exposure

On March 9, 2021, Verkada identified and contained a security breach caused by a misconfigured customer support server. The breach affected 97 customers, less than two percent of its customer base, and involved limited access to camera video or images, access control data, and Wi-Fi credentials for eight customers, and user names and email addresses. No passwords, financial systems, or core infrastructure were compromised. Verkada revoked access within hours, notified customers promptly, and engaged external legal and forensic experts.

Example: The incident shows how misconfigured Internet of Things systems, such as security cameras and access platforms, can expose sensitive data without a direct breach of core networks.

Supply Chain and Third-Party Risks

The complete software system of IoT devices and embedded components exists because their global supply chains lead to unknown software vulnerabilities and security breaches, which occur before their actual product launch. The manufacturing and industrial sectors experience hidden security flaws that remain undetected until the systems connect with their internal networks.

Example: Advanced malware tools like Pipedream target industrial control systems, which include programmable logic controllers (PLCs) found in factories, refineries, and power infrastructure. Attackers who successfully breach edge devices now have the ability to use their network connections to access deeper sections of production networks.

Physical and Operational Safety Risks

The IoT and control systems of industrial and infrastructure systems face dangerous risks when their security is breached. The Aliquippa water plant attack in Pennsylvania disabled a pressure control pump because it used weak operational technology credentials to break into the system, which shows how digital threats can evolve into actual physical attacks.

Example: Other cases show that ransomware worms that use LogicLocker can take control of PLCs that operate water treatment facilities and chemical dosing systems, which creates hazardous conditions and causes equipment failures.

What Challenges Do Organizations Face When Securing IoT?

Even when leaders know IoT security matters, practical barriers remain.

Massive Scale and Device Diversity

Organizations require multiple device connections because their operational activities depend on different communication protocols. This situation creates difficulties in implementing uniform security measures that should protect all areas.

Legacy Systems and Integration Gaps

Older machines lack all modern security features. Organizations continue to operate these devices because equipment needs to be updated or replaced through expensive or disruptive processes, which they choose to avoid.

Limited Visibility and Monitoring

Organizations need to see everything that exists in their networks because they must protect their assets from unknown threats. The security systems that are currently used by organizations cannot detect various IoT devices because these devices operate with lightweight protocols and use uncommon network stacks.

Skills and Resource Gaps

Most organizations built their IT and security teams to handle conventional computing systems rather than Internet of Things environments. Organizations face a skills challenge because they need to bring experts who specialize in network architecture, embedded systems, and real-time operations.

What Are the Most Effective IoT Security Solutions?

Modern IoT security solutions take a proactive, layered approach.

Identity and Access Management:

All devices and users must undergo verification processes to confirm their authorization before they can access system connections. The system requires users to implement strong authentication methods, which should include multiple verification factors whenever feasible.

Network Segmentation and Zero Trust Models:

The organization protects its essential business systems by creating network security zones that isolate Internet of Things traffic. The network’s lateral movement capacity can be restricted through the implementation of zero-trust security principles.

Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection:

The system provides organizations with tools to track their devices and analyze network traffic to identify potential security threats. The security team can prevent security breaches by starting their protective measures before an attack occurs.

Secure Device Lifecycle Management:

All device operations from onboarding to retirement must be properly managed to ensure ongoing security throughout their operational existence.

Together, these controls help enterprises protect against known threats while building resilience against emerging ones.

IoT Network Protocols and Security Considerations

• The protocols MQTT and CoAP achieve high efficiency because their lightweight design enables operation on devices with low power consumption. The system requires both encryption methods and strong authentication protocols as essential security components.
• The mesh-based protocols of Zigbee and Z-Wave enable extensive system expansion for organizations, but these networks introduce new security dangers that require organizations to establish network boundaries for protection.
• The technology of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) operates with both wearable devices and medical equipment. The system operates within a short distance, yet its security suffers because it lacks effective pairing protection and access control measures.
• LoRaWAN and NB-IoT provide extended coverage for industrial Internet of Things applications, smart city networks, and asset tracking systems. The system security depends on two factors, which include cryptographic key management and the security systems that protect its backend infrastructure.
• The 6LoWPAN protocol enables Internet Protocol version 6 connectivity to Internet of Things devices, but it transmits all security vulnerabilities that exist in standard IP networks.

How Can US Businesses Build a Strong IoT Security Strategy?

A strong IoT security strategy begins with clarity. Organizations benefit from a comprehensive inventory of connected systems, clear policies about how and where devices can connect, and continuous alignment between IoT goals and broader business objectives.

In practice, this looks like:

• Risk Assessments to understand what matters most and where vulnerabilities are concentrated 
• Governance Frameworks that assign responsibility for IoT security across teams 
• Operational requirements of the organization must be reflected through policies, which should not only include theoretical security controls.
• Security teams and operators require ongoing training programs that will enable them to protect their systems from new security threats. 

The integration of IoT security into enterprise risk management provides businesses with a framework that enables them to achieve both security and innovative growth.

What Is the Future of IoT Security in the United States?

Looking ahead, IoT security will continue to evolve in three key directions:

• AI‑Driven Threat Detection: Automated systems that learn normal behavior and spot deviations will become more common, helping teams respond faster.
• Stronger Standards and Regulations: As regulators focus more on connected infrastructure, clearer expectations around security will emerge.
• Security by Design: Devices and platforms will increasingly build protections in from the start, rather than treating security as an add‑on.

These trends do not eliminate risk, but they do signal a maturing understanding of what connected systems require.

Turning Connected Devices Into Operational Advantage

Resolute Partners assists organizations in developing secure, dependable Internet of Things networks that produce measurable outcomes beyond basic Internet connectivity. With decades of experience in advanced network engineering and infrastructure, we integrate IoT devices in ways that strengthen safety, improve visibility, and streamline operations. The design process creates solutions that, for your current system, can expand to meet future growth while decreasing operational hazards. The result produces technology that enables the uninterrupted operation of personnel, assets, and essential business functions.

Start building an IoT environment you can trust.

Connect with Resolute Partners to plan, deploy, and secure IoT solutions that deliver performance enhancements while protecting critical assets and enabling ongoing business operations.

FAQs

Q1. Is IoT Security Different From Traditional Cybersecurity? 

IoT security needs to address physical effects and device limitations that extend beyond standard IT security requirements. 

Q2. What Are the Biggest IoT Threats Facing US Companies? 

The most critical issues arise from weak default settings and unprotected information, as well as botnet attacks and unregulated devices. 

Q3. How Can Organizations Improve IoT Security? 

 Organizations can enhance their security through the implementation of four main security components, which include segmentation and visibility, identity controls, and ongoing monitoring. 

Q4. Are There US Regulations That Apply to IoT Security? 

Authorities now show greater interest in regulating security practices that especially affect essential infrastructure facilities and emergency response environments. 

Q5. What Should Organizations Look for in IoT Security Solutions? 

Organizations need to find security solutions that provide network visibility and real-time monitoring capabilities with security policies that match their business processes.