IoT devices are interconnected devices that communicate and share data over the internet, such as smart home appliances, wearables, industrial sensors, and more. Securing these devices is crucial to protect privacy, prevent unauthorized access, and mitigate potential risks. 

In this article, we (SMET) will provide you Top 10 strategies to secure your IoT devices to ensure a safer and more reliable IoT ecosystem.:

1. Enable Authentication and Encryption:

Make sure that your IoT devices support strong authentications, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA). 

2. Change the Device Credentials:

Always change the default usernames and passwords of the devices. Those credentials can be easily exploited by attackers. Use unique, strong passwords for each device.

3. Review Device Permissions Regularly:

We suggest you review the permissions and access levels granted to each device. Remove any unnecessary permissions that could potentially be exploited.

4. Implementing a NAC(Network Access Control) Solution to Improve IoT Security:

A NAC solution with a proper switch detects most devices and identifies rogue connections to the network. It can also apply controls to the devices that are unauthorized

5. Monitoring Device Activity:

Keep an eye on the network traffic and activity of your IoT devices. Use network monitoring tools to detect any unusual behavior or suspicious activities that could indicate a security breach.

6. se and Update Firewall:

Set up a firewall to monitor and control the incoming and outgoing traffic to your devices. Keep your IoT device firmware up to date. This helps to filter and block unauthorized access attempts. 

7. Secure Communication Protocols:

Ensure that your IoT devices communicate over secure protocols such as HTTPS or MQTT with Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption. 

8. Running an IDS (Intrusion Detection System) and IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) on the Network 

Running an IDS or IPS on the network will offer a good indication of when an IoT device has been compromised.

𝟗. 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Consider creating separate networks or VLANs for your devices. This isolates them from other devices on your network, adding an extra layer of protection. 

𝟏𝟎. 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬:

Any smart device you’re not using regularly should be deactivated or unplugged. The fewer the number of connected devices, the lesser the vulnerability of the network.