IoT Security

The internet of things (IoT) is loosely defined as devices other than a computer that can connect to the internet. Today, this includes everything from printers to FitBits, thermostats, and more. While these devices boost productivity and efficiency, their security posture is lackluster. With Portnox’s IoT Device Trust, you can prevent IoT from ruining your life.

Cloud-native IoT security essentials that close the gap on your zero trust security strategy.

Shadow IoT

Tired of catching IoT devices lurking in the shadows?

Default administrator credentials, vulnerable operating systems, slow to non-existent patching – these things make these devices attractive targets for hackers. And even worse, their ease of use means they can be joined to a network without IT even knowing – hence the term “Shadow IoT.” Portnox understands that the first step to securing your network is being able to identify what’s on it – that’s why we developed our IoT Device Trust solution, so you never have to worry about IoT devices hiding in the shadows.

Don't leave IoT security to chance—it's time to adopt IoT device trust

Portnox’s fully cloud-native IoT Device Trust suite helps you stay secure no matter how many things connect to your network. No more wondering if that random MAC address is the 3rd floor printer or a rogue laptop trying to breach the firewall – we can tell you the device type, name, manufacturer, OS, and more. Take your security to the next level by creating segmentation and access control policies so your camera isn’t an entry point for your customer database. And even better, we’ll tell you if that smart TV suddenly starts passing traffic like a laptop so you can quarantine it or remove it from the network entirely. Download our white paper to learn how it all works and how IoT fingerprinting can bring your zero trust program to new heights.

Explore trends in zero trust for 2025 and beyond

Staying ahead in IT means strengthening cybersecurity—and zero trust architectures now lead the charge. But let’s face it: embracing zero trust can feel daunting. With so many tools and complexities, it’s easy to lose your way.

To understand how organizations navigate zero trust, Portnox teamed up with TechTarget. We surveyed hundreds of IT and cybersecurity professionals across North America. Discover the insights we uncovered in our Trends in Zero Trust report.

IoT Security

FAQs

IoT security safeguards internet-connected devices and the networks they operate on. It protects data confidentiality, device integrity, and system availability through encryption, authentication, and continuous monitoring—ensuring that every IoT endpoint remains trusted and compliant across the network.

IoT security is critical because every connected device expands an organization’s attack surface. Unsecured IoT endpoints can be exploited to access sensitive data or disrupt operations. Effective IoT security limits these risks by enforcing visibility, segmentation, and zero trust access controls.

Common IoT risks include lack of visibility, weak passwords, unpatched firmware, poor code testing, and vulnerable APIs. These gaps enable “Shadow IoT” devices to operate unseen. Comprehensive monitoring and automated policy enforcement help prevent unauthorized access and reduce exploitability.

IoT device management enables remote visibility, configuration, and control of connected endpoints. It ensures devices remain compliant and updated through centralized registration, provisioning, monitoring, and firmware management—reducing vulnerabilities and maintaining continuous security across distributed environments.

Portnox Cloud secures unmanaged IoT devices by automatically discovering and profiling them the moment they connect to the network. Using zero trust policies, Portnox restricts IoT devices to only the resources they require, preventing unnecessary access to critical systems. This approach ensures IoT security without requiring agents, device modification, or vendor-specific integrations.

Yes, Portnox Cloud provides complete visibility into all IoT devices connecting to the network, including devices that lack native security controls. Portnox identifies device type, connection method, and behavior, allowing IT teams to understand exactly what is connected at any given time. This visibility is foundational to enforcing effective IoT security and reducing blind spots.

Portnox Cloud reduces IoT security complexity by delivering centralized visibility and policy enforcement through a cloud-native platform. Organizations can secure IoT devices across wired and wireless networks without deploying additional hardware or managing complex configurations. Automated discovery and policy-driven access control allow IT teams to maintain strong IoT security while minimizing manual effort.

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