How does blockchain protect IoT devices from future cyber attacks

“According to foreign media reports, the Internet of Everything is now in the ascendant. In 2017, there were approximately 8.4 billion internet-connected thermostats, cameras, street lights and other Electronic products. By 2020, this number may exceed 20 billion, and in 2030 may reach 500 billion or more. Because these devices are all connected to the Internet, every type of device—whether it is a voice personal assistant or a mobile phone payment parking meter or a temperature sensor of an industrial robot—is vulnerable to cyber attacks.

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According to foreign media reports, the Internet of Everything is now in the ascendant. In 2017, there were approximately 8.4 billion internet-connected thermostats, cameras, street lights and other electronic products. By 2020, this number may exceed 20 billion, and in 2030 may reach 500 billion or more. Because these devices are all connected to the Internet, every type of device—whether it is a voice personal assistant or a mobile phone payment parking meter or a temperature sensor of an industrial robot—is vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Today, many “smart” connected devices are manufactured by well-known large companies, such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung, and they all have technical systems and marketing incentives to quickly resolve any security issues. But as more and more devices join the networked army, such as light bulbs, doorbells, and even packages shipped by UPS. These devices and their supporting networking systems are usually manufactured by unknown companies, and many developing countries do not have the funds or capabilities or brand recognition to fully consider their safety performance.

Insecure IoT devices have caused major cyber disasters. For example, in 2016, Dyn suffered a cyber attack that destroyed more than 80 popular websites in the United States. To solve this problem, Nir Kshetri, a scholar in the field of Internet of Things, said that the blockchain system may bring a new method of tracking and distributing secure software updates.

Simply put, the blockchain can be regarded as a computer database that records transactions, which can record these data in different places at the same time. In a sense, it is like a bulletin board where people can post transaction notifications. Each post must be accompanied by a digital signature and cannot be changed or deleted.

Nir Kshetri is not the first to suggest using blockchain systems to improve the security of IoT devices. In January 2017, a group consisting of American network giant Cisco, German Bosch, Bank of New York Mellon, Chinese electronics manufacturer Foxconn, Dutch cybersecurity company Gemalto, and numerous blockchain startups formed and committed to the development of such a zone. Block chain system.

Device manufacturers can use it instead of creating their own software update facilities. These small companies will have to program their products in order to regularly check new software with the blockchain system. Then they will upload their updates safely. Each device has a highly secure password identity to ensure that the manufacturer communicates with the correct device. Therefore, equipment manufacturers and their customers will know that equipment will have effective and continuous security.

These types of systems will easily be incorporated into small devices with limited storage space and weak processing power. They need a standard way to complete communication and certification updates, and to identify secure information.

Existing blockchains, including Bitcoin SPV and Ethereum Light Client Protocol (Ethereum Light Client Protocol) seem to be very promising. Blockchain innovators will continue to find better ways to make it easier for billions of IoT devices to complete automatic checks and security updates.

However, it is not enough to develop a blockchain system that can protect IoT devices. If the manufacturers of these devices do not really use these systems, then everyone will face the risk of network security. Companies that manufacture low-margin equipment, so if there is no outside help and support, they will not add these layers of protection. They need technical assistance, coupled with pressure from government regulations and consumer expectations, to change their current practices.