Securing Cloud-Based Internet of Things: Challenges and Mitigations

The Internet of Things (IoT) has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, leading to a paradigm shift in the digital landscape. However, these technological strides have also brought new challenges, particularly in terms of cybersecurity. IoT devices are inherently connected to the internet, which makes them more vulnerable to attack. In addition, IoT services often handle sensitive user data, which could be misused by malicious actors or unauthorized service providers. As more mainstream service providers emerge without uniform regulations, these security risks are expected to escalate exponentially. The task of maintaining the security of IoT devices while they interact with cloud services is also challenging. Newer IoT services, especially those developed and deployed via Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) models, pose additional security threats. Although IoT devices are becoming more affordable and ubiquitous, their growing complexity could expose users to heightened security and privacy risks. This paper highlights these pressing security concerns associated with the widespread adoption of IoT devices and services. We propose potential solutions to bridge the existing security gaps and expect future challenges. Our approach entails a comprehensive exploration of the key security challenges that IoT services are currently facing. We also suggest proactive strategies to mitigate these risks, strengthening the overall security of IoT devices and services.