When you are deploying hardware, it is always useful to take a moment to consider the security of the hardware. Are you using all the security options that the supplier offers? Can you trust that the hardware has all the necessary security and functions set up correctly? Let's take a look at some of the essential features that increase the reliability of IoT hardware such as routers and gateways.
Restart and/or reboot
A popular way to fix problems your device encounters is to reboot the device. However, you are not always at the device to perform a reset. Rebooting the device regularly is a way to prevent 'small' problems that may appear. An auto reboot function does exactly the same, a ping reboot performs a periodic reboot of the device or restores the connection to the internet. The auto reboot ensures minimal downtime of the system and reduced maintenance.
Watchdog
Another great tool that increases the reliability of solutions is the watchdog. It can be an electronic component or a software timer that monitors the work of software and hardware. If an error occurs and the watchdog timer does not restart the ongoing monitoring, the watchdog can perform many corrective actions. This mechanism further automates troubleshooting steps and reduces the need for human interaction with the hardware. So, check if the device already has a watchdog installed or is compatible with such a failsafe mechanism.
Failover
Failover is an important feature that can ensure uninterrupted connectivity. If your primary connection fails, the device will automatically switch to another available option. This way, your solution will have an uninterrupted connection and stable speed. You can also set the failover to change when the connection starts to slow down.
Available information
You should have easy access to all available information about your hardware. Of course, you can find most questions online on user forums. The supplier should provide installation guides, configuration examples, and usage scenarios. Also, look at the compatibility information, as many assembly lines allow older components to be integrated into the overall solution.
Security
It is crucial that you ensure that all components of your smart solution are secured. If a single person with bad intentions penetrates a gateway or a router, it can cause a chain reaction and sabotage the entire system. Options such as a firewall, VPN and various certificates are crucial components in any IoT solution. Of course, there are measures that only you can take, but a basic level of security should be in place.
First of all, a secure password is very important, this is obvious. Many breaches occur because simple and standard passwords are still used. The same password is also often used for multiple applications. We recommend using an online password generator and never using the same password. It is also wise to choose a new password every now and then.
Two of the most prominent security features are a firewall and a VPN. A Virtual Private Network provides secure access between external networks, encrypts data, and provides anonymity while using the internet. It also has many security protocols that further increase the security of your network. A firewall has a set of customizable rules that specify who can access your network and devices. You can control who can access data within your network and who is denied. A firewall acts as a barrier between secure and unsecured networks.
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