In recent years, the number and diversity of devices and systems which can be connected to a network one way or the other is rapidly and continuously growing.

While laptops, printers, smartphones and tablets are a few of the obvious devices connected to the network, home appliances, cars and TVs are only among the expanding selection of “fringe” devices that now offer network capability. For example, if you’re running low on milk or eggs, your networked refrigerator can e-mail you a reminder. Similarly, your car may additionally provide you with a warning via text if certainly one of your tires is low on air or in case your brake pads have become worn.

Known because the Internet of items (IoT), this trend shows no signs of preventing and even slowing anytime soon. In line with estimates by numerous research firms, there might be anywhere from 26 billion to greater than 45 billion Internet-connected devices in service by 2020.

Naturally, this movement toward connecting increasingly more devices to networks brings tremendous convenience into our everyday lives. Beyond that, each device and system generates data, adding as much as vast amounts of information that may be collected, stored and analyzed to generate a better level of insight than has ever been available until now.

RISKY BUSINESS

Unfortunately, convenience, access and data-driven intelligence also come at a cost… elevated risk levels. This presents a quandary for plenty of organizations, that have a necessity and an obligation to give protection to personal and sensitive data stored on and transmitted across their networks from hackers and others while also enabling their employees to accomplish their duties as efficiently as possible.

The ability of networked and integrated systems to share information makes them gateways for potentially sensitive information, reminiscent of HR files, financials, intellectual property and more. Computers and servers are the obvious targets for hackers and other cybercriminals, but way to the IoT, they're in no way the one options. Every networked device can function a possible entry point which hackers and other cybercriminals can exploit to achieve access to other systems and devices—and the sensitive data stored on them—connected to that very same network. With information from multiple systems becoming so closely intertwined with overall operations, this can be a very real—and very scary—possibility for end users of all types.

One notable example of this risk is the high-profile data breach that the retail chain Target experienced in 2014. In that instance, hackers were in a position to breach and gain access to the company network using stolen credentials that were issued to a third-party merchant for remotely monitoring the HVAC system at numerous Target stores.

The ever-increasing choice of these entry points that hackers can now access of their never-ending attempts to breach networks makes securing networks and knowledge critical today. However, some devices and systems are more vulnerable than others; a network usually is solely as secure as its least secure connected device. Any hacker who's capable of access these systems could potentially cause significant problems associated with financial information, security and much, a lot more with a single breach.

The harsh reality is that cyberattacks became a relentless threat, with hackers continually employing more sophisticated find out how to circumvent network security. Therefore, it's critical that every one networked devices and systems incorporate data encryption. For the reason that hackers are constantly upping their game to conquer the most recent security measures, there may be always a possibility that they're going to have the ability to access the network. Data encryption provides the top level of security by translating data right into a new, safer format. This ensures that even though someone is in a position to breach the network, the knowledge it contains will still be protected.

Augmenting data encryption with a firewall allows only certain people to access the network through specific access points or “doorways.” This helps maintain network security with no need an excessive amount of of a negative impact at the convenience factor users have come to depend on so heavily.

KEY POINTS

These measures are particularly important with networked security systems, which surprisingly are sometimes overlooked within the data protection process. One area throughout the security program which can not be considered is using physical keys. Despite rapid advances in video surveillance, access control and other security technologies, physical keys continue to play crucial role in overall security for lots of organizations, and networked key management systems are the most efficient method to maintain security while providing details about usage. Beyond keys, these systems may also be used to store access cards, smartphones and other tools individuals wish to perform their day-to-day jobs.

Designed to manage usage and supply safekeeping of mechanical keys and other assets, networked key management systems authorize removal of this stuff only by users with pre-programmed PIN codes, access cards or biometrics. Key management systems with networking capability allow multiple systems to be connected to enable increased management, control and tracking capabilities. These solutions also hook up with the web to enable remote monitoring and alerting via PCs, smartphones or tablets. Up-to-date usage reports may also be scheduled and automatically generated and e-mailed to authorized recipients to supply a whole audit trail that may be used for investigation and to illustrate compliance with regulations many organizations is also required to follow.

For heightened security and situational awareness, if a key or other asset contained within a cupboard is overdue for return the system will notify the best parties via e-mail. Knowing exactly who removed the asset allows management and security personnel to quickly locate that exact and shut a possible physical security breach by ensuring the asset is promptly returned. These and other remote management capabilities further enhance the effectiveness of networked key management solutions.

Many vendors have formed partnerships with security solutions providers, enabling integration between networked key management systems and access control systems. This lets users more efficiently manage system configurations for access, storage, key tracking and other applications through their access control systems. This can be a big plus for security personnel, who're often tasked with managing and monitoring multiple systems simultaneously.

DATA KEEP

Organizations can mitigate a number of the risks related to networked key management and further Internet-connected devices and systems with robust authentication methods. In today’s world, data is generated and stored everywhere, and the expansion of mobile technology means many connected devices don't seem to be located behind a firewall. As a result, numerous data can't be protected by traditional network-centric solutions. Network security within the IoT age will continue to require the improvement of various strategies, tools, technologies and approaches from those favourite today.

Because the principle function of security is to offer protection to people, places and assets, it's imperative to verify the protection of information generated and shared by key management and other security and non-security systems. This requires deploying an end-to-end “encrypt everything” strategy using essentially the most robust and top-quality technology available. This will likely make sure that data is protected at every endpoint, whether it's located behind a firewall or not. For example, in preference to deploying solutions with encryption methods which are in response to blocks or files, organizations should hunt down solutions that perform real-time compression and encryption on data on the most simple byte level.

Encryption technologies should also be designed for the varying levels of class of devices. Within the mobile world, that is especially important with reference to processing power and battery life, either one of which are taxed with traditional encryption technologies. With these considerations in mind, organizations can raise their level of information protection while ensuring that user experience won’t be compromised by the slow performance related to resource- and processor-intense methodologies.

Encrypting network traffic using a gateway device or system is another wonderful means in order for data communicated across a network is secure. These solutions enable all data shared enterprise-wide is encrypted without reference to format, origin or protocol, reducing the complexity of knowledge security.

In light of the ever-growing number and diversity of networked devices being deployed today—and the differing levels of vulnerability related to each—data security need to be a first-rate concern for everybody. It can be difficult to understate the role encryption plays in protecting data generated by and stored in key management and other systems connected to both private and non-private networks. Deploying essentially the most robust and best encryption across all networked devices might help to verify the integrity of the sensitive data hackers constantly strive to access and steal. 

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