ISACA Survey: Acceptance of IoT Growing Amongst Indian Consumers; Cybersecurity Pros Caution That Devices Lack Sufficient Security

MUMBAI, India–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Is the Internet of Things safe? A new survey from global cybersecurity
association ISACA suggests a major confidence gap about the security of
connected devices between consumers and cybersecurity and information
technology professionals.

According to the consumer segment of ISACA’s 2015
IT Risk/Reward Barometer, 81 percent of Indian consumers surveyed
are confident they can control the security on the Internet of Things
(IoT) devices they own. Yet according to the 7,016 IT and cyber security
professionals globally who responded to a parallel survey, only 22
percent feel this same confidence about controlling who has access to
information collected by IoT devices in their homes, and 72 percent say
manufacturers are not implementing sufficient security in IoT devices.

Indian consumers say the average number of IoT devices in their home is
seven. Smart TVs, smart watches and connected home alarm systems are the
most wanted IoT devices to get in the next 12 months.

Hidden Internet of Things

ISACA’s survey of IT and cybersecurity professionals globally depicts an
IoT that flies below the radar of many IT organizations – an invisible
risk that is underestimated and under-secured:

• 73 percent estimate the likelihood of an organization, being hacked
  through an IoT device is medium or high
• 63 percent think that the increasing use of IoT devices in the
  workplace has decreased employee privacy
• 50 percent say their organization’s BYOD (bring your own device)
  policy does not address wearable tech

“In the hidden Internet of Things, what is also invisible are the
countless entry points that cyber attackers can use to access personal
information and corporate data,” said Christos Dimitriadis,
International President, ISACA. “The rapid spread of connected
devices is outpacing an organization’s ability to manage and safeguard
company and employee data.”

According to the cybersecurity and IT professionals surveyed, device
manufacturers are falling short. Seventy two percent say they do not
believe that manufacturers are implementing sufficient security measures
in IoT devices.

“As the usage of IoT devices increases in India, it is important that
device manufacturers adopt an industry-wide security standard that
addresses IoT security. They need to install rigorous security
governance and professional development for their cybersecurity
employees. This move will further boost the acceptance of IoT in the
country, as research shows there is a direct relation between positive
customer sentiment and companies that can demonstrate credentials,” said Avinash
Kadam, Advisor – ISACA India Cybersecurity Initiative.

ISACA established Cybersecurity
Nexus (CSX) to help develop the cybersecurity workforce. Details on CSX
2015 conference and the new CSX
Practitioner certification: https://cybersecurity.isaca.org.

ISACA’s annual IT Risk/Reward Barometer polls thousands of IT and
cybersecurity professionals and consumers worldwide to uncover attitudes
and behaviors, and the trade-offs to balance risk and reward. Results: www.isaca.org/risk-reward-barometer.

ISACA^® (isaca.org)
is a global nonprofit association of 140,000 professionals in 180
countries.

Contacts

for ISACA
Sharon Lobo, +91-9869813869
sharon.lobo@ketchumsampark.com
or
Madiha
Vahid, +91-9819001881
madiha.vahid@ketchumsampark.com