1378 Cyber Security Methods
1378.1 Overview
Cybersecurity methods translate security principles into concrete technical implementations for IoT systems. This comprehensive guide covers cryptographic techniques, authentication mechanisms, access control frameworks, secure communication protocols, firmware verification, and security monitoring - the essential building blocks for protecting IoT deployments against modern threats.
Authentication and Access Control is like having a secret clubhouse with special rules about who can come in and what they can do!
1378.1.1 The Sensor Squad Adventure: The Clubhouse Guardians
The Sensor Squad had built an amazing treehouse headquarters! But they needed to make sure only their friends could get in and that everyone followed the rules. Motion Mo the Motion Detector had an idea.
“We need THREE things to keep our clubhouse safe!” said Motion Mo. First, they created a SECRET PASSWORD that only Sensor Squad members knew. When someone wanted to enter, they had to say the password - that’s called AUTHENTICATION (proving who you are).
But Sunny the Light Sensor was worried. “What if someone learns our password?” So Signal Sam the Communication Expert added something even better - a special BADGE that showed your picture AND the password. Now you needed TWO things to get in! (This is like how some apps send a code to your phone after you type your password - that’s called TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION!)
Thermo the Temperature Sensor thought of the final piece. “Even our friends shouldn’t be able to do EVERYTHING in the clubhouse. My little brother can come in, but he shouldn’t touch the snack cabinet!” So they made a list of ACCESS CONTROLS - rules about what each person could do.
1378.1.2 Key Words for Kids
| Word | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Proving you are who you say you are (like showing your ID) |
| Access Control | Rules about what you’re allowed to do after you get in |
| Password | A secret word or phrase that only you know |
| Two-Factor | Using TWO ways to prove it’s really you |
| Permission | Approval to do something specific |
1378.2 Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter series, you should be able to:
- Implement cryptographic techniques for IoT security
- Design secure authentication and authorization systems
- Apply access control mechanisms to IoT devices
- Configure secure communication protocols (TLS/DTLS)
- Implement secure boot and firmware verification
- Deploy intrusion detection and prevention systems
1378.3 Chapter Guide
This topic is covered across six focused chapters:
1378.3.1 1. Defense in Depth and Security Controls
Learn the foundational security architecture that layers multiple independent controls to protect IoT systems even when individual defenses fail.
Topics covered: - Eight-layer defense model - Preventive, detective, and corrective controls - Security controls by IoT layer
1378.3.2 2. Cryptography for IoT
Master the cryptographic primitives that protect IoT data - from symmetric encryption for sensor readings to digital signatures for firmware verification.
Topics covered: - Symmetric encryption (AES, ChaCha20) - Asymmetric encryption (RSA, ECC) - Hash functions and HMAC - Algorithm selection for constrained devices
1378.3.3 3. Authentication Methods
Implement identity verification systems from simple passwords to certificate-based mutual TLS, ensuring only authorized devices and users access your IoT platform.
Topics covered: - Password-based authentication with secure storage - Certificate-based mutual TLS (mTLS) - Token-based authentication (JWT) - Multi-factor authentication (TOTP)
1378.3.4 4. Access Control
Design authorization policies that determine what authenticated entities can do, from simple role-based systems to context-aware attribute-based controls.
Topics covered: - Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) - Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) - Principle of least privilege - Audit logging for compliance
1378.3.5 5. Secure Communications and Firmware Integrity
Protect data in transit with TLS/DTLS and ensure firmware authenticity through secure boot chains and cryptographic verification of OTA updates.
Topics covered: - TLS/SSL for MQTT - DTLS for CoAP - WireGuard VPN for remote access - Secure boot implementation - OTA update security
1378.3.6 6. Security Monitoring and Intrusion Detection
Detect attacks that bypass preventive controls through signature-based and anomaly-based monitoring, with comprehensive logging for forensic analysis.
Topics covered: - Signature-based vs anomaly-based IDS - Security logging and audit trails - SIEM integration - Practice exercises
1378.4 Quick Reference
| Topic | Chapter | Key Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Layered security | Defense in Depth | 8 layers, control types |
| Encryption | Cryptography | AES, RSA, ECC, SHA-256 |
| Identity | Authentication | Passwords, certs, JWT, MFA |
| Permissions | Access Control | RBAC, ABAC, least privilege |
| Data protection | Secure Communications | TLS, DTLS, VPN, secure boot |
| Detection | Monitoring | IDS, logging, SIEM |
1378.5 Recommended Learning Path
For beginners: Start with Defense in Depth to understand the overall security architecture, then proceed through the chapters in order.
For practitioners: Jump directly to the specific topic you need - each chapter is self-contained with prerequisites clearly noted.
For implementation: The Monitoring chapter includes four comprehensive practice exercises covering RBAC, mTLS, anomaly detection, and secure OTA updates.
1378.6 Videos
Comprehensive overview of common security vulnerabilities in IoT deployments and the methods used to address them through authentication, authorization, and encryption.
Deep dive into hardware trojans - malicious modifications to integrated circuits - and how they threaten IoT device security at the chip level.
1378.7 Key Takeaways
- Defense in depth layers multiple independent controls so failure of one doesn’t compromise the entire system
- Cryptography provides confidentiality (AES), integrity (SHA-256), and authentication (RSA/ECC signatures)
- Authentication verifies identity; authorization determines permissions - implement both
- Least privilege grants minimum necessary permissions; audit and remove unused access quarterly
- Secure boot creates chain of trust from immutable hardware through firmware
- Monitoring detects attacks that bypass preventive controls; log everything for forensics
1378.8 What’s Next
Start with Defense in Depth and Security Controls to understand the foundational security architecture, or jump to a specific topic based on your needs.