New Palo Alto Networks study finds that most technology managers feel they need to take significant steps to meet security challenges posed by the surge in IoT devices

SYDNEY, Australia, September 17, 2020 – Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, today released research on practices for securing the Internet of Things (IoT) in businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia. 

The research suggests that smart teddy bears, implanted heart monitors, electric cars, and other connected devices are regularly connecting to corporate networks. This has prompted technology managers to warn that significant action should be taken to protect them from being used to hack into businesses.

Key Findings in Australia:

• Most respondents (94 per cent) say they have visibility of all the IoT devices connecting to their organisation’s network
  • 52 per cent said they were completely confident
  • 42 per cent noted that they were somewhat confident

• Majority of respondents say their organisation needs to improve the approach to IoT security
  • 11 per cent said a complete overhaul was needed
  • 45 per cent sought a lot of improvement
  • 41 per cent see a need for a little improvement

• More than half of respondents saw an increase in the number of connected devices on their organisation’s network
  • More than 1 in 3 saw a significant increase

• Top three strangest connected devices respondents have seen on their network
  • 51 per cent saw medical wearables such as heart or diabetes monitors
  • 40 per cent saw desk toys such as teddy bears, and robots
  • 39 per cent saw kitchen appliances such as kettles, coffee machines, and heated coffee cups

“When it comes to IoT devices, we need to take a zero-trust approach, which should be at the heart of every company’s IoT connected strategy. That means defining the purpose of every device and object linked to a network and setting boundaries, so it only connects to parts of the network that help it serve that purpose," said Sean Duca, Vice President and Regional Chief Security Officer for Asia Pacific and Japan, Palo Alto Networks.

Across the Asia-Pacific region, nearly one in four of those surveyed at organisations with at least 1,000 employees reported that they have not segmented IoT devices onto separate networks – a fundamental practice for building secure smart networks. Similarly, only 21 per cent said following best practices of using micro-segmentation to contain IoT devices to their own tightly controlled security zones.

“Employees are innocently bringing devices onto their organisation’s network without realising that often, those are not designed and built with security in mind which could be a cybercriminal’s inroad to compromising your systems. Businesses need to realise that an IoT security strategy is just as important as any other growth plan as the risks are often as costly if not more so,” Sean added. 

Palo Alto Networks released the survey as part of its ongoing effort to shed light on security threats posed by the surge in deployment of devices connected to the internet. Business Insider Intelligence forecasts there will be more than 41 billion IoT devices by 2027, up from 8 billion last year.
 

Survey Methodology
Palo Alto Networks commissioned technology research firm Vanson Bourne. It polled 1,350 IT business decision makers in 14 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

About Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, is shaping the cloud-centric future with technology that is transforming the way people and organisations operate. Our mission is to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. We help address the world's greatest security challenges with continuous innovation that seizes the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, analytics, automation, and orchestration. By delivering an integrated platform and empowering a growing ecosystem of partners, we are at the forefront of protecting tens of thousands of organisations across clouds, networks, and mobile devices. Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.