The 10 Most Vulnerable IoT Security Targets

July 27, 2016
10 min read
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Contributors:
Brian Buntz

From autos to video cameras, the Internet of Things is exponentially increasing the number of potential targets for cyber-criminals, as we explain in this article with an accompanying poll.

Imagine the havoc that hackers could cause a nation by systematically targeting its power grid. Or the implications of criminals taking control over a city's network of video cameras. Or of a hacker taking control over a commercial airplane en route. While some of these risk scenarios may seem exaggerated, the ability of Stuxnet malware to cause physical damage has been shown inan Iranian nuclear facility. Last year, the Lloyds Business Blackout' report stated that the U.S. power grid itself was at risk of a Stuxnet-style attack, potentiallycausing $1 trillion in damages.

We need your help: After reading through the ten IoT security targetsdescribed in the article below, let us know your pick the item you think represents the biggest overall risk.

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There is already an account of a hacked German steel mill, which caused massive damage to the facility.

2. Cars

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Two cybersecurity experts caused a ruckus in 2015 when they took control over a Jeep as it was cruising down the freeway. Although that was a stunt for Wired, the attack showed the potential for how dangerous such attacks could be in theory and led to its recall of 1.4 million vehicles.

3. Video Cameras

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Surveillance cameras are intended to make us more secure, and many cities across the U.S. have installed them, thanks to grants from the Department of Homeland Security. But the wireless networks used for transferring video signals can be insecure.

4. IoT-Enabled Spying and Potential for Cyberwarfare

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Science fiction cyber-war is here, according to Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney whose recent Zero Days flick examines that Stuxnet worm that was far more advanced than ordinary malware.

5. Power Grids and Utilities

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In January, Ukraine accused Russian hackers of shutting down almost a quarter of its power infrastructure, knocking out at least 30 of its 135 power substations.

6. Buildings

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The building industry has been slower than many to embrace digital technology. But that is beginning to change quickly as building automation technology rapidly gains in popularity. As more buildings become connected, the risk for exploits increases.

7. City Infrastructure and Transportation Networks

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Last year, Cesar Cerrudo, CTO of IOActive Labs proclaimed that many cities risk cyberattackseven those who dont consider themselves to be so-called smart cities.

8. Medical Devices and Hospitals

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The security used in many medical devices and hospitals lags behind that used in many other industries. Not long ago, it was a common occurrence for some medical devices to have hard-coded passwords.

9. Airplanes

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Last year, Chris Roberts, a security researcher at One World Labs, made headlines after boasting that he hacked into a United Airlines jet and modified code on the crafts thrust management computer while onboard.

10. Retail Stores and Databases

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Last year, Tripwire announced the results of a study conducted by Atomic Research that found that retail security lags behind that of many other sectors.

About the Author

Brian Buntz

Content Director, IoT Institute

Brian is a veteran journalist with more than ten years’ experience covering an array of technologies including the Internet of Things, 3-D printing, and cybersecurity. Before coming to Penton, he served as the editor-in-chief of UBM’s Qmed where he overhauled the brand’s news coverage and helped to dramatically grow the site’s traffic volume. He had previously held managing editor roles on the company’s medical device technology publications including European Medical Device Technology (EMDT) and Medical Device & Diagnostics Industry (MD+DI), and had served as editor-in-chief of Medical Product Manufacturing News (MPMN).

At UBM, Brian also worked closely with the company’s events group on speaker selection and direction and played an important role in cementing famed futurist Ray Kurzweil as a keynote speaker at the 2016 Medical Design & Manufacturing West event in Anaheim. An article of his was also prominently feon kurzweilai.net, a website dedicated to Kurzweil’s ideas.


Multilingual, Brian has an M.A. degree in German from the University of Oklahoma, and he is currently working on mastering French.

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