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S T E MI OST :PSOETCLUI GRHI T Y
Securing the Internet of Things: a comprehensive look at progress and possibilities The Internet of Things (IoT) has become integral to modern life, connecting everything from smart homes and wearable devices to industrial systems and critical infra- structure. However, this massive expansion has made IoT a prime target for cyber threats. Early IoT devices often overlooked security, leaving gaps for exploitation. The landscape is markedly different today, featuring advanced technologies, evolving standards, and sophisticated strategies to safeguard devices and data. T his article explores the current state communication while maintaining rigorous security requirements. The Matter protocol, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), addresses the long-standing By Sharon Hagi, Chief Security Officer, Silicon Labs
of IoT security, highlights recent advancements and standards, and examines how these technologies can work in unison to address the most common challenges. IoT security today: building a resilient foundation IoT security relies on a layered approach that combines hardware protections, standardised protocols, dynamic authentication, and emerging technologies to address the growing complexity of modern threats. At the core of this foundation are advancements in hardware security, standardised communication protocols, post-quantum encryption, and AI-powered Edge computing, all working together to create comprehensive and resilient protection. Hardware-based protections provide the first line of defence by anchoring security at the device level. Solutions like Silicon Labs’ Secure Vault integrate features such as tamper detection, encrypted key storage, and robust authentication mechanisms. These capabilities mitigate both physical and cyber threats, making Secure Vault particularly valuable in critical industries like healthcare, industrial automation, and smart infrastructure. Complementing hardware security, standardised protocols ensure seamless
challenge of balancing interoperability and security. Matter enables devices from different manufacturers to communicate securely and reliably, fostering compatibility while embedding encryption and authentication as core features. To defend against modern cyber threats, dynamic authentication methods have replaced outdated static credentials like fixed passwords. Approaches such as zero trust authentication, rotating secret keys, and digital signatures introduce layers of robustness that make unauthorised access and private data compromise significantly more difficult. By enhancing device identity and access security, IoT systems are better equipped to counter increasingly sophisticated threats. Recent advancements have further strengthened the IoT security landscape. With the evident progress in R&D of quantum computing, classical cryptographic algorithms face the possibility of obsolescence. In response, developers are beginning to incorporate post-quantum encryption algorithms, designed to better resist the potential computational acceleration of future quantum computing systems. This proactive measure improves the longevity of data security
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