IoT connectivity and IoT security go hand in hand. As billions of devices come online, every endpoint becomes a potential entry point for cybercriminals. Without layered protection, organizations face financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.
Imagine this, your organization has deployed thousands of IoT devices across multiple sites. Operations are running smoothly—until one seemingly insignificant sensor becomes the entry point for a cyberattack. In an instant, your connected infrastructure is compromised. Production halts, regulatory penalties loom, and customer trust is at risk.
This scenario is far from hypothetical. GSMA Intelligence projects that global IoT connections will reach tens of billions in the coming years. This scale presents enormous opportunities—but also creates an enormous attack surface for cybercriminals.
In this article, we explore why robust IoT security is no longer optional, the risks organizations face, and how to embed security into every layer of your IoT ecosystem. If connectivity forms the backbone of your digital strategy, then security must be the spine that keeps it standing.
IoT offers clear advantages: real-time visibility, automation, and data-driven decision-making. However, each connected device introduces potential vulnerabilities. At scale, the attack surface is massive.
98% of IoT device traffic is unencrypted (Palo Alto Networks).
Tens of billions of IoT connections are forecast in the coming years (GSMA Intelligence).
Cybercrime will cost the global economy trillions annually, with IoT a growing share (Cybersecurity Ventures).
High-profile botnets like Mirai have shown how quickly poorly secured devices can be hijacked for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Risks also extend beyond data transmission, with poorly secured APIs, outdated firmware, and default credentials offering easy entry points.
For industries such as healthcare, energy, or transportation, a successful breach can result in devastating financial, operational, and even safety consequences.
Q: Why is retrofitting IoT security a risk?
A: Retrofitting is often incomplete, expensive, and leaves exploitable gaps. Once vulnerabilities are live in the field, patching costs far more than building security in from the outset.
This is why the GSMA IoT Security Guidelines emphasize security by design: protection must be embedded across the entire lifecycle—from manufacturing and provisioning to connectivity, data handling, and decommissioning.
Think of it like constructing a high-rise building. Safety systems aren’t added after completion—they’re engineered into the foundation. The same principle must apply to IoT.
Connectivity lies at the core of any IoT deployment—and it is often the primary attack vector. eSIM technology has revolutionized IoT by enabling remote provisioning, multi-network flexibility, and global scalability. But these advantages must be matched by equally robust security protocols.
Recent research uncovered vulnerabilities in earlier versions of the GSMA TS.48 test profiles—used for validating eSIM-enabled devices during manufacturing. These were later addressed tin updated TS.48 v7.0 and improved security controls.
The lesson here is that even telecom-grade systems require continuous scrutiny. Security is not a one-time task—it demands ongoing monitoring, timely updates, and rigorous compliance with evolving standards.
Q: What are the building blocks of IoT security?
A: Organizations that succeed adopt a layered security model, protecting every element from device to cloud.
Integrated Security: Secure Element in the SIM or a TPM chip for tamperproof foundations.
Device Integrity: Secure boot processes, hardware-based root of trust, and signed firmware updates.
Connectivity Protection: Encrypted eSIM provisioning, certificate-based authentication, and zero-trust principles across connections.
Operational Oversight: Real-time monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, and automated patching.
Security is both technical and cultural. Organizations must foster a proactive mindset, constantly assessing and adapting defenses.
Consider an industrial manufacturing plant where a single compromised gateway resulted in a full-day shutdown—costing millions in losses. The root cause? An exploitable firmware vulnerability, exacerbated by poor network segmentation.
In contrast, forward-looking organizations integrate GSMA-compliant connectivity, automate firmware management, and deploy anomaly detection systems. These businesses don't merely respond to threats—they prevent them.
The evolution of IoT is becoming part of our legal systems, from facial recognition to evidence of crimes that must satisfy the burdens of proof in courts of law. IoT applications must provide the integrity to meet these burdens of proof and detect and prevent falsification and corruption.
Q: How will AI and quantum computing impact IoT security?
A: They will define the next decade of risk and defense.
Cybercriminals are already using AI to automate and scale attacks. Organizations must counter with AI-driven monitoring, predictive threat detection, and automated response.
Quantum computing will eventually break many of today’s encryption methods. IoT devices deployed today may still be active when quantum attacks become viable. GSMA and NIST are already promoting quantum-safe encryption strategies to protect future infrastructure.
In the connected economy, trust is a competitive differentiator. Customers rely on you to safeguard their operations, data, and reputation. That trust must be built on a secure foundation.
👉 Secure your IoT deployment today. Talk to Velos IoT about GSMA-compliant connectivity, eSIM security, and proactive threat protection.
Because in IoT, connectivity without security is not innovation—it is risk.
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