New IoT Security Principles On the Way

By Tomas O’Keefe, Consultant

If you want to look for a growing area of investment in federal IT, look no further than securing the Internet of Things (IoT).

There’s been a lot of recent talk about the IoT, with one of the latest conversation led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at an August 31^st workshop to help industry get a grasp on the roadmap the federal government is pursuing in the coming year. IoT leaders across federal agencies will outline strategic principles that will guide near-and-long term purchasing decisions in securing internet-connected devices.

Federal leaders are aware that addressing security challenges for already-developed systems is cumbersome and ultimately futile. And they know it’s imperative to develop standards that can protect the security of network-connected devices without hampering the innovative nature of the internet. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will likely take the first crack at these standards, but expect input from other federal agencies like the Department of Commerce (DOC) to help safeguard the IoT.

What does this mean for industry? DHS and other government IoT stakeholders know this can’t wait, so they’ll be receptive to vendors who can provide innovative security solutions that can be tailored to the specific IoT device that needs to be protected. Devices that are sensitive or critical in their operation like power plants will require higher levels of security, whereas more mundane devices like kitchen appliances likely will not need such stringent security controls. IoT security solutions may not have the same priority as securing federal networks but expect there to be a robust market for these solutions in the coming years.

Need help deciding where to market your IoT solutions in government? Contact your immixGroup account team about how we can help!