Protecting IoT Devices with Deception Technology

By Carolyn Crandall, Chief Deception Officer at Attivo Networks

The rapid adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how businesses and homes operate, but it is also creating a growing landscape of attack vectors. Security has often lagged behind innovation, allowing attackers to exploit IoT devices for ransomware, distributed denial‑of‑service attacks, and more. Carolyn Crandall explains that as these devices become ubiquitous, so do the risks.

According to Gartner, the number of connected devices reached 14.2 billion in 2019 and is projected to hit 25 billion by 2021—each device representing a potential entry point for a breach.

The UK government has responded with a consultation on new IoT security laws and standards, proposing mandatory labeling that indicates a device’s security posture and requiring the inclusion of key elements from the “Secure by Design” code of practice. While these guidelines—covering anomaly monitoring, encryption, and software updates—are a solid foundation, they are not a silver bullet.

Traditional perimeter defenses such as firewalls and network filtering are increasingly inadequate against the sophisticated tactics used to compromise IoT. The sheer volume of devices introduces unprecedented complexity in monitoring, patching, and securing every potential foothold. Attackers exploit known vulnerabilities across many devices, often deploying the same exploit en masse to increase success rates and profits.

To counter this threat, enterprises must move beyond device‑centric security and adopt more proactive, adaptive defenses. One of the most effective approaches is deception technology, which turns the network into a lure for attackers.

Protection through Deception

Deception technology creates a realistic, invisible layer of decoys and traps that mimics legitimate IoT infrastructure. When an attacker believes they have infiltrated the network, they are actually interacting with carefully crafted decoys that record their every move. This early detection allows security teams to identify the attacker’s tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and respond swiftly, fortifying the real assets.

Beyond detection, deception forces attackers to waste time and resources pursuing non‑productive targets. Once they realize the environment is hostile, they either abandon the effort or move on to a less secure victim.

Modern deception solutions leverage machine‑learning to maintain authenticity, replicating the operating systems, services, ports, and behavioral patterns of real devices. This blend of attractive decoys and compelling lures effectively deters both automated and advanced attacks on IoT and other connected assets.

As IoT continues to expand, the threat of attackers using these devices as gateways into corporate networks will grow. By integrating deception technology, organizations can neutralize that risk while still reaping the benefits of IoT’s productivity and innovation.

Author: Carolyn Crandall, Chief Deception Officer, Attivo Networks