Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2025. Read them in this 17th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
By Dan Berte, Director of IoT Security at Bitdefender
2025 promises to be transformative for Internet of Things
(IoT) security, driven by the launch and expansion of key certification
programs such as the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, CSA Verified, and the EU Radio
Equipment Directive (RED) addendum. These initiatives aim to safeguard billions
of IoT devices-along with the associated apps and platforms-that are
increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. From homes to businesses and critical
infrastructure, threat actors exploit vulnerabilities in IoT devices, compromising
privacy, safety, and operational continuity. A recent
report underscores the urgency of action, revealing that 99% of
exploitation attempts on IoT devices stem from previously known and fixed
vulnerabilities. This alarming statistic underscores the critical need for
improved security practices and compliance mechanisms across the entire IoT
landscape.
New programs like the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark represent a
significant step forward in IoT security. This government-backed initiative
labels devices that meet baseline security standards, helping consumers make
safer choices. Similarly, the CSA Verified certification, introduced by the
Cloud Security Alliance, focuses on cloud-connected devices to ensure that
security measures extend to the broader IoT ecosystem. In Europe, the RED
addendum introduces stringent cybersecurity requirements for manufacturers entering
the EU market. Together, these certifications signal a global effort to
establish minimum security benchmarks, paving the way for widespread adoption
of best practices in the IoT industry.
We are only at the starting point of these early initiatives.
The IoT ecosystem is vast, ranging from simple smart home devices like light
bulbs and thermostats to industrial control systems and critical healthcare
devices. Crafting security frameworks capable of addressing such diversity is a
monumental challenge. It will likely take years-and numerous revisions-before
these guidelines evolve into comprehensive standards robust enough to handle
the constantly evolving threat landscape.
A major hurdle lies in ensuring compliance. Many IoT
manufacturers (particularly smaller ones) prioritize cost and speed to market
over strong security measures. This often results in glaring security gaps,
even with certification programs in place. Additionally, certifications cannot
retroactively secure the millions of legacy IoT devices already in use, leaving
them as security risks as long as they remain online. Addressing compliance
will require a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders.
The private sector will play a pivotal role in shaping the
future of IoT security. The security industry, businesses, standards organizations,
and IoT manufacturers must actively participate in policy development,
collaborate with governments, and invest in research and innovation. By working
with certification bodies and contributing to the creation of practical,
effective security standards, private-sector stakeholders can help close gaps
in existing frameworks. Public-private partnerships and cross-industry
alliances is critical in fostering collaboration and ensuring consistent
security measures across global markets.
Innovation will be equally vital. Advancements in artificial
intelligence and machine learning offer promising solutions for monitoring IoT
networks and detecting anomalous behavior in real-time. Meanwhile,
secure-by-design principles enables manufacturers to embed strong security
features into devices during development, reducing reliance on post-deployment
fixes. These technological advancements, combined with certification programs,
can help establish a proactive security culture within the IoT ecosystem.
As we begin a new year, the collective efforts of
governments, certification bodies, manufacturers, and private organizations
will be essential to addressing the mounting cybersecurity threats facing IoT
devices. For example, it
has been well documented that vulnerabilities impacting widely used solar
power platforms connected to traditional power grids had the potential to cause
massive widespread blackouts through intentional overloading by threat actors. Although
the journey toward comprehensive IoT security is long, the initiatives
introduced today provide a solid foundation for a safer, more resilient future.
Through collaboration, continuous improvement, and a commitment to innovation,
the security industry will help mitigate risks and ensure that the benefits of IoT
devices outweigh the challenges they currently present.
##
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Berte as Director of IoT Security, plays a pivotal role in strengthening the security of connected devices and ecosystems. He leads strategic Bitdefender initiatives, including managing the IoT Vulnerability Program, which focuses on identifying and addressing potential threats across diverse IoT platforms. Through his leadership, Dan helps ensure the development and implementation of robust security frameworks to protect users and critical infrastructures.
