IoT security is the protection of connected devices that communicate over networks, such as sensors, cameras, locks, and home appliances. These devices often have limited CPU, memory, and battery life, so they need security controls that fit small hardware as well as cloud or mobile apps.
It matters because insecure IoT devices can be hijacked, spied on, or used as entry points into a larger network. Common attacks include default passwords, weak firmware updates, exposed management ports, and battery-drain or denial-of-service tactics that keep a device offline. Good defenses include unique credentials, signed updates, encryption, network segmentation, monitoring, and failure modes that keep essential functions safe even when power is unstable.