Page 8 - AeM_July_2017

RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & TRENDS

Older generations savvier about IoT

security, Irdeto’s new study revealed

Irdeto released a new global survey on consumer atti- Irdeto highlights in its report that today’s connected
tudes about IoT Security, including security awareness, world needs consumers to be vigilant about security
how many IoT devices they have in their homes, im- threats, and device manufacturers to have an in-depth
portance of protecting those devices, concerns about defense approach that integrates multiple layers of se-
those devices being hacked, who they believe is respon- curity into the system, as opposed to the previous mod-
sible for security, etc. el which was very often build, ship and forget.

A peek into the report shows that: “While consumers across the globe believe that IoT
devices need to have security manufactured into the
 IoT security is top-of-mind for consumers across the product to prevent against cyberattacks, it’s encourag-
globe – 90% of global consumers believe it is im- ing that they also recognize the important role they play
portant that a connected device has security built in IoT security,” said Mark Hearn, Director of IoT Secu-
into the product. rity, Irdeto. “Today’s connected world needs consumers
to be vigilant about security threats. On the device
manufacturer side, there must be a better “defense-in-
 Awareness of cyberthreats targeting connected de-
vices increases with age - 72% of millennials (18-24 depth” approach to cybersecurity that integrates multi-
years old) indicated that they are aware that any ple layers of security into a system. This approach,
smart device connected to the Wi-Fi in their home combined with ongoing security updates to protect
against the latest threats, is critical to mitigate attacks
has the potential to be targeted by a hacker, com-
pared to 82% of consumers 55+. This indicates that targeting IoT technologies.”
older generations may be savvier about IoT security
Regarding the number of smart devices consumers
or more cautious regarding IoT technology than mil-
lennials, potentially leaving this younger generation own, 89% of those surveyed have at least one connect-
more open to a cyberattack. ed device in their home. In addition, 81% of consumers
across the globe admitted to having more than one
connected device in the home. India led all countries
 Consumers indicated that both end-users and manu- with a staggering 97% of consumers stating that they
facturers play an important role in cybersecurity -
have at least one smart device in the home, compared
however, only 15% of consumers globally think to only 80% of US consumers, the lowest of all coun-
they are responsible, while 20% feel the manufactur-
tries. The survey also found that the typical number of
er of the device is responsible for cybersecurity. In connected devices in homes across the globe is around
China, more consumers than any other country sur- four per household.
veyed (31%) stated that it is the responsibility of
To combat the threats and many vulnerabilities that
manufacturers.
hackers will exploit in an increasingly connected world,
businesses today must rely on optimal security to pro-
8 July 2017 - Internet of Things (IoT) & Wearables