The private network: The essence of IoT security

The relatively poor security of most IoT deployments, compared to other endpoints such as laptops and servers, exposes corporate networks and sensitive data to the risk of cyberattacks, theft and other malicious activity. This vulnerability highlights the importance of deploying a secure IoT infrastructure to ensure the safety of your corporate network and data. In this context, private networks such as private APNs appear to be both an innovative and promising solution.

What is an APN?

An Access Point Name (APN) is the name of the gateway – the access point – between the cellular network to which the IoT device is connected and another network, such as the public Internet. This gateway acts as a demarcation point or perimeter between two distinct networks, often a public and a private one. As such, an APN can serve as an entry point for external attacks targeting the internal network.

Any IoT device that uses a data connection must be configured with a valid APN. The APN plays an essential role in connectivity management by defining various parameters, including:

  • assigning IP addresses to IoT devices,
  • quality of service (QoS) parameters,
  • and routing information, including the use of VPN (Virtual Private Network) tunnels to secure data exchanges.

Common IoT security risks

With the rapid development of new technologies, threats are becoming increasingly complex, requiring constant vigilance to reinforce the security of data exchanges.

    Authentication and encryption problems

    Some devices are vulnerable to unauthorized access due to weak or non-existent encryption protocols. Confidential data can then be exposed to malicious manipulation.

    This concerns IoT devices with default passwords, often easy to guess, which users neglect to change. These weak passwords become obvious entry points for cyberattacks. And even when users do change them, the alternatives chosen are frequently insecure – in other words, easy to compromise.

      Software and firmware vulnerabilities

      There are three IoT SIM models:

      IoT devices frequently rely on outdated firmware and software, which can contain security vulnerabilities. These are exacerbated by delays in applying security patches, exposing devices to various types of attack.
      To limit these risks, companies need to prioritize the review and regular updating of firmware to ensure optimum protection of their data.

      private network

      Protocol and integration challenges

      Many IoT devices rely on redundant or insecure communication protocols, exposing them to attack. In this case, integrating IoT devices with existing security systems can prove difficult, as this creates loopholes that compromise the entire network.

      Another critical point is the application programming interfaces (APIs) that connect IoT devices to other systems. If they are not properly secured, they can be manipulated.

      The benefits of private APN for secure IoT deployments

      Private APNs offer enhanced security for IoT deployments, thanks to several mechanisms:

      • Using firewall rules ;
      • Restricted access to the public Internet ;
      • Using VPNs ;
      • Advanced authentication methods ;
      • Access restricted to trusted devices only;
      • Prevention of low-level malicious activities, such as rootkits ;
      • Easier detection of network and device problems with network monitoring solutions.

      The bottom line is that, thanks to a private APN, traffic from IoT devices can be routed directly to a private corporate network, avoiding transit via the public Internet. This compartmentalization allows additional authentication policies to be added.

      Synox’s private APN solution

      At Synox, we know how important data security is for your connected objects. That’s why we offer a private APN solution that provides a secure, dedicated connection, ensuring that your sensitive information remains protected against cyber-attacks.

      Maximum safety

      Our private APNs use VPNs to route data via a secure tunnel. This ensures maximum security for your SIM-equipped devices by isolating data traffic from the public Internet, protecting them from potential cyber-attack threats.

      And automate the detection and neutralization of cyberattacks with our cloud-based threat prevention engine, protecting your infrastructure against threats such as malware.

      Simplified management

      With our intuitive interface, you can easily manage and supervise your IoT devices, simplifying the maintenance and optimization of your infrastructure. Advanced tools let you automate the management of data usage costs by creating customized filters. This gives you greater control over data consumption.

      You can efficiently manage your offer by limiting flows according to predetermined criteria (web or IP address, protocol, network…), guaranteeing rational use of your resources.

      Powerful data analysis

      With Synox’s private APN solution, gain complete visibility of data usage on your corporate devices, while preserving the privacy of individual users. Create alerts to monitor data usage thresholds (based on time, day, week or month), facilitating automated, preventive monitoring. Finally, monitor and analyze your company’s mobile usage across all devices and operators from a single portal. This centralized interface provides an efficient overview.

      Expert support and much more!

      With over 15 years’ experience, we’re at your side for every stage of your IoT project, from design to implementation of your own private APNs, ensuring optimum performance and maximum customer satisfaction.

      In addition to private APNs, Synox is also able to deploy public networks when necessary. For example, we deployed a public LoRa network for the city of Montpellier, as cities avoid deploying Wi-Fi for security reasons. This network meets the specific needs of local authorities, while guaranteeing a secure and reliable connection.

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