Step 5: Document Policy Impact

Project 1: Mobile Device Management (MDM) Policy Step 4: Evaluate Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Internet of Things (IoT)

In this phase of the project, you will evaluate  cyber-physical systems (CPS)  and the  internet of things (IoT)  to build upon the critical infrastructure concerns itemized in the previous step.

Assuming that you have addressed most of the concerns related to MDM from a policy perspective, begin an itemized list of potential countermeasures. In recognition of on-the-job training, education, and research conducted here, continue to expand the worksheet by specifically addressing issues relating to cyber-physical systems and the internet of things.

Briefly evaluate cybersecurity hardware, software, and network technological components of cyber-physical systems and the policy issues that they require. Also consider  Wi-Fi  and  Bluetooth  technologies and the policy issues they require.

Add this evaluation to the Crucial Concerns Worksheet completed in the previous step. This worksheet will be used to align to MDM policy later in the project and will be included as an appendix to the updated MDM policy presentation for the board of directors, and will be assessed as part of the final Project. Name the files Appendix 1, Appendix 2, etc. Submit the updated table or spreadsheet for feedback.

Learning Topic

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs)

Print

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are "co-engineered interacting networks of physical and computational components" (NIST, n.d.).

CPSs are more complex applications of the "internet of things" (IoT) wherein a physical object has components that are linked via the internet to systems that collect and/or transmit data. Examples of items in the IoT include cars, home security systems, smarthome devices (thermostats, lights, monitors), phones, environmental or industrial monitoring systems, and supply chain/logistics tracking programs.

These systems are also able to remotely control the objects, such as aircraft, robotics, medical devices, power grids, and other critical infrastructure items. Threats to CPSs exist in both the public and private sectors.

References

National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). (n.d.). Cyber-physical systems.  https://www.nist.gov/el/cyber-physical-systems. Learning Topic

Internet of Things (IoT)

Print

The internet of things (IoT) is the phenomenon of connecting devices used in everyday life. It provides an interactive environment of human users and a myriad of devices in a global information highway, always on and always able to provide information. IoT connections happen among many types of devices—sensors, embedded technologies, machines, appliances, smartphones—all connected through wired and wireless networks.

Cloud architectures such as software as a service have allowed for big data analytics and improved areas such as automated manufacturing. Data and real-time analytics are now available to workers through wearables and mobile devices.

Such pervasive proliferation of IoT devices gives hackers avenues to gain access to personal data and financial information and increases the complexity of data protection. Given the increased risks of data breaches, newer techniques in data loss prevention should be examined.

Smart Home Security

The online comic XKCD takes a humorous look at security issues surrounding the internet of things.

If they're getting valuable enough stuff from you, at least the organized crime folks have an incentive to issue regular updates to keep the appliance working after the manufacturer discontinues support.

Source: XKCD

Resources

Required

· Connectivity of the Internet of Things

· Internet of Things Over Future Internet

· Internet of Things

· Internet of Things (IoT): A Literature Review

Licenses and Attributions

Smart Home Security by XKCD is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license. UMGC has modified this work and it is available under the original license.