Spiceworks: Wearables Are Top IoT Security Concern

Wearables are the next big threat to enterprise IT security – and most organizations don’t have the training to protect themselves from IoT-borne attacks, according to a new study from Spiceworks.

The study, called “2016 IoT Trends: The Devices have Landed” found that 53 percent of respondent believe wearables could be the cause of a security breach among IoT devices connected to their network, according to Spiceworks. Wearables were seen as a higher threat than video equipment, physical security and appliances. And while 90 percent of respondents said an increase in IoT devices creates security problems, only a third of those companies are working to protect their data from being breached.

“As the demand to put more IoT devices on corporate networks increases, IT professionals’ security concerns are increasing in tandem,” said Sanjay Castelino, vice president of marketing at Spiceworks, in a statement. “IT pros are well aware that more end points into the network puts their organization more at risk, but many businesses still aren’t equipped to manage IoT devices and identify potential threats.” 

And the amount of wearables in the workplace continues to grow, according to the survey. Spiceworks found that the number of organizations connecting wearables to their network has risen to 24 percent, up from 13 percent in the company’s 2014 IoT report “The Devices are Coming.” The influx of additional unsecured devices on corporate networks means admins often have to scramble to protect their company’s most sensitive assets.

Spiceworks paints a picture of a future emboldened by wearable technology but limited by the lingering fear of potential breaches made possible by the introduction of hundreds and thousands of unsecured endpoints. While concerns around IoT-connected devices like smartwatches are nothing new, the survey drives home the point that education continues to lag behind when it comes to locking down employee-owned devices. Going forward, companies are going to need to become much more cognizant of how well their employees can handle outside additions to their network if they hope to have a chance of effectively gaining – and keeping – the trust of their customers.