Internet of Things (IoT)
What is an IoT device?
It’s a physical object that connects to the Internet. It can be a fitness tracker, a thermostat, a lock or appliance – even a light bulb.
Imagine shoes that track your heartbeat… and can flag potential health problems. You don’t have to imagine – these “smart” shoes already exist!
Want to learn more?
How will it affect me?
The Internet of Things has arrived and it’s going to introduce incredible opportunity over the next five years. And while smart things are exactly that, the IoT industry has a long way to go in terms of overall security. Many of today’s IoT devices are rushed to market with little consideration for basic security and privacy protections: “Insecurity by design.”
This puts you and everyone else at risk: from unwittingly being spied on or having your data compromised to being unable to lock your own home. You could even become part of a botnet that attacks the Internet. Your insecure webcam – along with millions of others – could be used to attack the power grid of an entire country.
Do you trust your IoT device?
Do you know the security and privacy risks of your IoT device?
If you are a manufacturer or you provide enterprise support, we’ve got you covered for IoT device security and privacy with IoT Checklists.
When we all #GetIoTSmart, we all win.
What else can I do?
If we want everyone to benefit from the potential of Internet-connected devices, we need to ensure that they are safe and trusted. You can join people around the world and stand up for a safer and more secure connected world.
Read more about what you can do:
Tips for Consumers
- Learn how to “shop smart” for connected devices.
- Update your devices and its applications.
- Turn on strong encryption.
- Stop reusing passwords.
- Review the privacy settings on your devices and their applications.
- Use a strong password.
- Turn off the device or disconnect it from the Internet when not in use.
- Take steps to make your home network more secure.

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How do I learn more?
Read and share “The Internet of Things: An Overview – Understanding the Issues and Challenges of a More Connected World”, a whitepaper that examines many important aspects of the Internet of Things. You can also read the IoT Policy Brief to help understand the policy implications of IoT, IoT Security for Policymakers to learn how policymakers can help build IoT we can trust, and learn more about the Online Trust Alliance’s IoT Trust Framework.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at [email protected].
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IoT Security for Policymakers
“Cybersecurity will be the most pressing challenge of the next decade, and IoT will play a critical role in...
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Policy Brief: The Internet of Things
Billions of smart devices are expected to come online in the coming decade, bringing with them the promise of...
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Privacy and the Internet of Things: Event Report
As part of and in the lead up to the launch of our ‘Unleashing the Potential of the Internet...
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The Internet of Things (IoT): An Overview
On 15 October 2015 the Internet Society published this 50-page whitepaper providing an overview of the IoT and exploring...