Dive Brief:
- As IoT takes off, IT organizations should identify all devices and projects connected to the enterprise network, says Gartner in a new report.
- Companies should then update their network access policy to address the onslaught of IoT devices, which can pose a threat to network security.
- The research firm predicts that 21 billion IoT devices will be used globally by 2020, outnumbering laptops, smartphone and tablets.
Dive Insight:
Managing and securing the enterprise network will be more difficult if IT doesn’t have an accurate inventory, Gartner says. The use of IoT devices is on the rise, and one way or another they will find their way into the enterprise. Already there are concerns about how many devices can automatically sync to networks, possibly creating a cybersecurity flaw in a network.
"Whether a video surveillance camera for a parking lot, a motion detector in a conference room or the HVAC for the entire building, the ability to identify, secure and isolate all IoT devices — and in particular 'headless' devices — is more difficult to manage and secure," said Tim Zimmerman, research vice president at Gartner.
Once all of the devices attached to the network are identified, the IT organization should modify network access policies and establish to enforce policies in the enterprise, according to the report.
