IoT Devices: Balancing Convenience and Cybersecurity Risks

The Risk of Household IoT Devices

Just a decade ago, the idea that your washing machine or baby monitor could be hacked sounded like science fiction. Today, it is an established fact. Internet of Things (IoT) products – smart TVs, connected thermostats, doorbell cameras, and even fridges – are woven into our daily lives. They bring comfort, automation, and efficiency. But they also extend the digital attack surface into every corner of our homes and offices.

From Convenience to Cyber Risk

Most consumer IoT devices are designed with usability and cost in mind, not cybersecurity. That leaves them vulnerable in predictable – and sometimes dangerous – ways:

• Weak or default passwords that are never changed.
• Lack of timely updates leaving known vulnerabilities open.
• Unencrypted communications, enabling eavesdropping and data theft.
• Hidden entry points for attackers to use as a foothold into larger networks.

Real-world cases show this is more than theory. As far back as 2019, Microsoft identified how Russian hackers exploited unpatched IoT devices to infiltrate corporate networks. More recently, botnets such as Mirai and its successors continue to weaponize consumer gadgets for massive DDoS attacks. The common thread? Devices designed for convenience end up serving as tools for attackers.

The Corporate Angle

It’s not only homes that are at risk. Consumer-grade devices are often repurposed for professional settings. A smart TV that streams your favorite series at home might be hanging in a corporate boardroom. An insecure network camera installed for office security could, paradoxically, become an attacker’s gateway into the company’s data systems. The stakes in such environments are far higher: data leaks, intellectual property theft, and reputational damage.

Regulations Are Catching Up

For years, cybersecurity of consumer electronics was left largely to the discretion of manufacturers. That has changed.

• The EU directive on radio equipment (RED) introduced mandatory cybersecurity requirements for all radio-connected consumer products placed on the EU market from 1 August 2025. In practical terms, this means IoT devices must meet defined security standards to carry the CE mark.
• The new EN 18031 series is the harmonized European standard for product cybersecurity. It provides concrete requirements for authentication, encryption, secure updates, and vulnerability handling.
• Beyond Europe, similar requirements are emerging: the UK introduced its own mandatory regime in 2024, the U.S. has launched a cybersecurity labeling program, and countries like Singapore and Brazil already enforce strict IoT security obligations.

In short, the era of voluntary best practice is over. Compliance is now a legal requirement.

What Manufacturers (and Users) Should Do

For manufacturers, the roadmap is clear:

• Integrate security by design – don’t retrofit.
• Perform a gap analysis against EN 18031 early in development.
• Standardize secure solutions across product lines.
• Plan for updates and vulnerability disclosure mechanisms as part of lifecycle support.

For users – whether private consumers or businesses – the essentials remain:

• Change default passwords.
• Keep firmware up to date.
• Segment IoT devices from critical networks.
• Treat every connected device as a potential security risk.

Conclusion

The question is no longer “Who would hack a washing machine?” but rather “What won’t hackers try to exploit?” The convenience of IoT comes with undeniable risks, but with new regulations like the RED Delegated Act and harmonized standards such as EN 18031, the industry is finally being forced to raise its game.

The good news? With awareness, proactive measures, and compliance to these new requirements, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a connected world without turning your fridge, TV, or doorbell into a hacker’s best friend.