Pentesting in IoT Devices: Best Practices and Strategies

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects physical devices—such as sensors, appliances, and wearables—through the Internet so they can share data with each other. And it's constantly growing: over 55.7 billion IoT devices are expected to be in use this year.

The problem? Security. In just the first half of 2022, malware attacks on IoT devices increased by 77%. It's no coincidence that the IoT security market is growing rapidly—rising from $3.35 billion in 2022 to a projected $13.36 billion by 2028. For businesses, the message is clear: protecting their connected devices is no longer optional.

Why Are Companies So Focused on Protecting Their IoT Devices?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer limited to novelty gadgets or smart home appliances. Today, it includes everything from security cameras and industrial sensors to autonomous vehicles and medical devices. And with that expansion comes increased risk.

In the past, cyberattacks mainly targeted computers and smartphones. Now, anything connected to the Internet is a potential target. Imagine a hacker taking control of a smart car and disabling its safety systems, or compromising a heart monitor and altering its function. That’s not science fiction—it’s a real threat.

The challenge is that each new connected device opens another door for attackers. With billions of IoT devices in circulation, the attack surface has become massive.

That's why companies are ramping up their security efforts. Attacks on IoT devices can affect how we control our homes, drive, work, or even conduct banking transactions. The more connected we are, the more critical it becomes to secure every point of entry.

This is where penetration testing for IoT devices comes in—a key method for detecting and fixing vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

What Is Penetration Testing in IoT Devices?

Penetration testing in IoT devices (also known as IoT pentesting) is essentially a “cyberattack drill” designed to detect security flaws before real hackers do.

In simple terms, it involves simulating real-world attacks on IoT devices and networks to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited. The goal is clear: stay one step ahead of attackers and strengthen the security of the entire connected ecosystem.

These tests go beyond evaluating a single device. They assess the entire system—hardware, firmware, network connections, wireless protocols, mobile apps, cloud APIs… everything that makes up the IoT environment.

Why Is IoT Pentesting So Important?

Because as the number of connected devices grows, cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated. A single security flaw in an IoT device can open the door to data breaches, unauthorized access, or even attacks on critical infrastructure.

That’s why IoT pentesting is crucial for companies looking to secure their products, protect user privacy, and prevent incidents that could damage their reputation or legal compliance. Ultimately, it’s an investment in trust, prevention, and digital resilience.

Read more: Why Pentesting Is Key in a Cybersecurity Strategy

The 10 Most Common Threats to IoT Devices, According to OWASP

The OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) organization released a list of the top 10 IoT security threats that every technical team should consider during penetration testing (pentesting). Here’s a quick and clear summary:

1. Weak or Default Passwords: Easily guessable passwords or ones that can’t be changed remain a major risk.

2. Insecure Network Services: Poorly encrypted or misconfigured connections can allow easy data interception.

3. Insecure Interfaces: Poorly protected APIs, web apps, and mobile apps can expose the system to external attacks.

4. Insecure Updates: If the update process isn’t secure, it can be exploited to install malware.

5. Outdated Components: Old firmware, libraries, or operating systems increase the risk.

6. Poor Privacy Protection: Lack of control over how personal data is collected and stored.

7. Unencrypted Data Transmission and Storage: If data is transferred or stored without encryption, it’s vulnerable to theft.

8. Lack of Device Management: Without basic administrative features, it’s hard to monitor or restrict access.

9. Insecure Default Configurations: Devices poorly configured at the factory are easy targets if not properly adjusted.

10. Lack of Physical Security: Easy physical access to hardware allows for direct manipulation or data theft.

These threats are essential when evaluating the security of any IoT device. Including them in a pentest is key to identifying real risks and protecting the entire connected ecosystem.

Key Benefits of Pentesting IoT Devices

If your company relies on connected devices, IoT pentesting isn't just a best practice—it’s a necessity. As the number of smart devices grows, so do the risks. Here’s why more and more companies are turning to this type of testing:

1. Prevents Serious Security Breaches: IoT devices can become entry points for hackers. Pentesting helps detect vulnerabilities before they’re exploited, preventing data leaks or critical disruptions.

2. Boosts Customer Trust: Security sells. When your IoT devices or services undergo serious audits, customers notice. A secure environment enhances your brand's reputation and builds greater trust in your products.

3. Drives Business Growth: A secure IoT infrastructure allows you to scale without fear. You can innovate, connect more devices, and expand into new markets knowing your tech foundation is strong.

4. Supports Regulatory Compliance: Meeting local and international regulations (like GDPR, ISO, NIST, etc.) is easier with pentesting. It helps you identify and fix weak spots before they lead to fines or reputational damage.

5. Avoids Operational Disruptions: An attack on your IoT devices can halt critical processes. Penetration testing helps identify weak points and protect the smooth flow of operations.

Read more: Cloud Penetration Testing: What you need to know?

What Types of Security Testing Exist for IoT Devices?

Security in IoT goes far beyond strong passwords or firewalls. Protecting connected devices requires a comprehensive and technical approach that analyzes not just the device itself, but its entire ecosystem. Below are the main types of security tests applied in IoT environments:

1. Penetration Testing (IoT Pentesting): These tests simulate real attacks to identify vulnerabilities before an attacker does. The entire ecosystem is tested—not just the device—including hardware, firmware, networks, mobile apps, APIs, cloud services, and more.

2. Threat Modeling: This is a strategic approach used to anticipate potential risks. Possible threats are identified, prioritized, and analyzed to understand how vulnerabilities might be exploited to compromise the system.

3. Firmware Analysis: Firmware—the embedded software that runs the device—can also be a weak point. It's extracted and analyzed for common issues like backdoors, hardcoded passwords, or outdated libraries that could put the device at risk.

Step-by-Step Methodology for IoT Security Testing

To understand how an IoT device’s security is evaluated, here’s a summary of the key stages in a professional testing process:

1. Information Gathering: As much technical data as possible is collected about the device and its architecture. This includes hardware characteristics, communication protocols, network structure, authentication mechanisms, and more. Based on this information, the scope and methodology of the test are defined.

2. Automated Scanning: Specialized tools are used to detect basic or surface-level vulnerabilities. This phase helps quickly identify initial issues and allows for preventive action.

3. Manual Testing: Security analysts perform a detailed evaluation, replicating real-world attack scenarios. They analyze device behavior, interfaces, compatibility, business logic, and any potential weak points that automated tools might miss.

4. Report Generation: All identified vulnerabilities are documented, categorized by risk level, and accompanied by descriptions, proof-of-concept examples, affected locations, and detailed recommendations. This provides developers with a clear remediation guide.

5. Remediation Support: The testing team assists the development team during the fixing process. This collaboration ensures issues are resolved efficiently without affecting system functionality.

6. Retesting or Re-evaluation: Once fixes are implemented, testing is repeated to verify that the vulnerabilities have been properly addressed. The final report reflects the updated status of the system.

Read more: What is Retesting in Pentesting and Why Is It Key?

Best Practices for Securing IoT Devices

Protecting IoT devices isn’t optional—it’s a necessity. Here are key best practices to maintain a secure IoT environment:

1. Unique Identities and Secure Credentials: Assign each device a unique identity and encrypted credentials. Manage their lifecycle—creation, rotation, and revocation.

2. Authentication and Access Control: Set clear access rules. Regularly review credentials and privileges to prevent unauthorized access or privilege escalation.

3. Secure Updates: Ensure updates are transmitted through encrypted and authenticated channels. Automate critical patches and protect update repositories.

4. Continuous Monitoring and Auditing: Log activities, detect suspicious behavior, and have an incident response plan in place.

5. Reduce the Attack Surface: Disable unused functions, remove unnecessary access points, and use only essential dependencies with secure default configurations.

Why Hire an IoT Pentesting Provider?

1. Cybersecurity Experts: They uncover vulnerabilities others might miss.

2. Advanced Tools: They use techniques that go beyond basic scanning.

3. Regulatory Compliance: They help you meet standards like GDPR, ISO, or NIST.

4. Actionable Reports: They deliver clear results and concrete solutions.

At TecnetOne, we help companies secure their connected devices, applications, and networks through specialized penetration testing. Our approach combines automated analysis with advanced manual testing, using industry-leading tools like Burp Suite and Metasploit, along with proprietary solutions, to detect both known and emerging vulnerabilities.

We deliver clear, practical, and detailed reports that not only highlight risks but also explain step-by-step how to fix them. In addition, we help organizations comply with key regulations like GDPR, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA, enabling a more secure and compliant digital environment.

If you're looking to strengthen your IoT ecosystem’s security, TecnetOne is your trusted partner with proven experience, cutting-edge technology, and measurable results.