IoT Security Threats: Why Robotics Must Prioritise Secure Design to Reach Mainstream Success

In 2019, robotics emerged as a transformative force across industries—from manufacturing to healthcare and agriculture. Yet, as Eric Jensen, Head of IoT Product Management at Canonical, points out, a single major breach in a robotic system could trigger a domino effect that jeopardises the entire sector.

While the Internet of Things (IoT) has become mainstream, its potential is capped by pervasive security vulnerabilities. As the ecosystem expands, attack surfaces multiply, and confidence in connected devices erodes. Recent surveys reveal that 90% of consumers distrust IoT products, nearly half of companies cannot detect a breach, and only 15% of budgets are dedicated to IoT security.

Robotics’ Future Rests on IoT

Robots are not stand‑alone actors; they are integral components of intelligent ecosystems that rely on IoT to interconnect sensors, smart meters, and data exchanges. For instance, self‑driving cars orchestrate a network of miniature devices and sensors to navigate safely.

Innovations span the spectrum—from the Google‑funded RangerBot, an underwater drone hunting a coral‑destructive starfish species, to the Small Robot Company, which deploys autonomous bots to seed, feed, and weed farmland. Each new application brings increased sophistication—and, consequently, higher stakes for security.

In critical scenarios such as telesurgery, a malware infection could incapacitate surgical tools, directly endangering patients. Brown University researchers demonstrated the relative ease of hacking robotic systems, underscoring the necessity of a secure, connected IoT foundation for sustainable growth.

‘Security‑by‑Design’ for the Next Generation of Robots

Manufacturers must embed security from the outset. Choosing a robust, future‑proof operating system is essential, as is adopting a flexible approach that moves beyond hardware‑centric models. Software must evolve alongside the robot’s lifecycle, allowing for timely updates whenever a vulnerability surfaces.

One practical solution is the use of snaps—containerised application packages that facilitate rapid patching. When a library flaw is identified, developers are alerted and can rebuild the app with the fix, ensuring longevity without sacrificing innovation.

Despite these technical pathways, accountability remains diffuse. Market pressures often force manufacturers to allocate only the bare minimum of resources to security. Regulation could bridge this gap. The UK’s IoT Code of Practice and the EU’s Cybersecurity Act provide frameworks, yet compliance is largely voluntary. Binding legislation with clear financial penalties may be the decisive catalyst to enforce robust security standards.

Protecting the Industry’s Reputation

Robotics’ trajectory hinges on addressing IoT security swiftly. Without a secure foundation, public trust will continue to wane, stalling the pace of innovation and threatening the industry’s long‑term viability.

Author: Eric Jensen, Head of IoT Product Management, Canonical