PRIVACY AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE INTERNET OF THINGS: EMERGING TRENDS AND SOLUTIONS

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has ushered in numerous societal benefits but has also raised significant privacy and security concerns. This journal article delves into the pivotal role of IoT in society, the challenges confronting IoT privacy and security, threats and attacks targeting IoT devices, and the existing solutions and gaps in addressing these challenges. To achieve its objectives, the study formulated five research questions as guiding principles. A standard questionnaire served as the primary data collection tool, involving 100 IoT device users and a sample of 20 IoT industry stakeholders, encompassing developers, manufacturers, and policymakers. Data collection and analysis were conducted using SPSS version 26. The findings underscore a noteworthy consensus among both users and industry experts regarding the risks associated with data collection, authentication, firmware updates, network vulnerabilities, data integrity, and user awareness. These challenges bear substantial implications for user privacy and the overall security of IoT systems. Consequently, the study recommends the comprehensive integration of user education initiatives, user-friendly privacy solutions, a "privacy by design" ethos for developers, and public-private cooperation to enact practical and effective regulations. Through the adoption of these measures, stakeholders, policymakers, and industry participants can collaboratively enhance the security and privacy of IoT devices, fostering user trust and promoting the responsible adoption of IoT technologies. The study highlights the imperative for proactive measures to address these concerns, emphasizing the shared apprehension among stakeholders and users about the potential risks posed by IoT devices, along with the call for universally endorsed regulations or standards to safeguard privacy and security within IoT environments. This underscores the urgency of policy initiatives and educational campaigns to tackle these critical issues and reinforce the overall security and privacy of IoT ecosystems.