# Best IoT Security Solutions - Page 3 *By [Brandon Summers-Miller](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/brandon-summers-miller)* Internet of Things security, or IoT security, involves solutions for safeguarding smart devices and centralized user hubs from unwanted access or manipulation. The Internet of Things (IoT) is an increasingly prevalent network that allows disparate devices to communicate with each other, automate processes based on environmental or behavioral factors, and collect data based on performance and interactions. This advanced method of communication is not compatible with established methods of cybersecurity and is vulnerable to unique cyber threats that can steal data, corrupt software, or override commands. IoT security solutions provide users with a secured data pipeline and constantly updated threat awareness and protection so devices can communicate and users can connect with, manage, and draw data with minimal risk. The technologies of IoT security are expanding and evolving to meet the demands of the cybersecurity landscape and IoT as a whole. Products in this category share core qualities of other types of [IT security software](https://www.g2.com/categories/it-security) and are built to integrate with [IoT management](https://www.g2.com/categories/iot-management) tools, to give companies complete, reliable use of this network. To ensure optimum security when deploying IoT devices within your organization, discuss best practices with [cybersecurity consulting providers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cybersecurity-consulting), and consider a qualified [IoT development](https://www.g2.com/categories/internet-of-things-iot-developers) team to complete the build and deployment process. To qualify for inclusion in the IoT Security category, a product must: - Be compatible with the latest Internet of Things devices and technology - Bolster security measures inherent with inter-device communication and user access cases - Require extensive authentication to verify device ownership or administrative license - Alert device owners when device communication is interrupted or other situations arise - Assist with software updates as they become available ## How Many IoT Security Solutions Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 60 ### Category Stats (Jun 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.39/5 The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings - **New Reviews This Quarter**: 2 - **Buyer Segments**: Small-Business 43% │ Mid-Market 29% │ Enterprise 29% Represents the distribution of reviewers across all products in this category. - **Top Trending Product**: Darktrace / OT (+0.25) - Among all products in this category, Darktrace / OT recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month *Last updated: June 01, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank IoT Security Solutions Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 700+ Authentic Reviews - 60+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## Which IoT Security Solutions Is Best for Your Use Case? - **Leader:** [Palo Alto Networks IoT/OT Security](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-iot-ot-security/reviews) - **Highest Performer:** [BugProve](https://www.g2.com/products/bugprove/reviews) - **Easiest to Use:** [Armis](https://www.g2.com/products/armis/reviews) - **Top Trending:** [Palo Alto Networks IoT/OT Security](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-iot-ot-security/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [Palo Alto Networks IoT/OT Security](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-iot-ot-security/reviews) ## What Are the Top-Rated IoT Security Solutions Products in 2026? ### 1. [PFP Cybersecurity](https://www.g2.com/products/pfp-cybersecurity/reviews) P2Scan software containins PFP's patented PowerIQ analytics algorithms, which provide a complete identification and analysis solution. **Who Is the Company Behind PFP Cybersecurity?** - **Seller:** [PFP Cybersecurity](https://www.g2.com/sellers/pfp-cybersecurity) - **HQ Location:** Vienna, US - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/2927789 (24 employees on LinkedIn®) ### 2. [Phosphorus](https://www.g2.com/products/phosphorus/reviews) The Phosphorus Unified xIoT Security Management Platform reduces risk and prevent threats by discovering, remediating, monitoring, and managing every IoT, OT, and IoMT Cyber-Physical System. Powered by patented Intelligent Active Discovery, Phosphorus delivers accurate, safe, and rapid discovery of all xIoT devices. Delivering near real-time risk assessment, Phosphorus automates the remediation of the most significant cyber-physical system vulnerabilities — including inaccurate asset inventory, default credentials, insecure configurations, out-of-date certificates, firmware, and more. All without hardware, agents, or hassles. **Who Is the Company Behind Phosphorus?** - **Seller:** [Phosphorus Cybersecurity](https://www.g2.com/sellers/phosphorus-cybersecurity) - **Year Founded:** 2017 - **HQ Location:** Nashville, Tennessee, United States - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/phosphorusinc (64 employees on LinkedIn®) ### 3. [Rayven](https://www.g2.com/products/rayven/reviews) What is Rayven? Rayven is an operational software platform that delivers an AI data fabric - connecting every system, data source, and data stream across a business into a single managed environment, then letting teams build custom apps, AI agents, workflow automations, dashboards, and MCP servers for direct AI model connectivity on top. It is the platform for organisations that need to act on operational data in real-time, deploy AI that actually works in production + build software that fits the way their business operates - without replacing existing systems or waiting 18 months for results. The Problem Rayven Solves Most organisations already have the systems and data they need. The challenge is fragmentation. ERP systems, SCADA platforms, IoT devices, databases, cloud tools, and files all generate valuable data - but it sits in silos, impossible to act on in real-time. The result: manual reporting, disconnected workflows, and AI projects that fail before reaching production. Industry research shows 95% of AI projects never ship - most because the underlying data layer is not clean, connected, or ready. Rayven builds that foundation first, then activates it. The Rayven Platform Rayven operates across five unified layers, delivered as a single managed environment: - Integration: More than 600 pre-built connectors pull data from IT, OT, IoT, files, APIs, databases, and data streams - bidirectionally, in real-time. Connects industrial protocols (OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT, BACnet) alongside cloud platforms, business systems, and proprietary tools. - Data: All connected data lands in a single managed platform - structured, governed + AI-ready. Real-time processing, ETL pipelines, data lakes, and AI model training handled in one place. - Execution: Automation rules, predictive models + agentic AI run directly on live operational data. Rules-based logic, machine learning, and goal-seeking autonomous agents all operate in one execution environment. - Presentation: Custom apps, dashboards, portals, conversational interfaces, and mobile applications deployed from the same platform - built for specific workflows, not generic reporting. - Security, Governance + Hosting: Role-based access control, data lineage, audit trails, AES-256 encryption, data residency controls, and enterprise-grade infrastructure - included as standard. AI Capabilities Rayven includes ten native AI capabilities built directly into the platform: 1. Custom AI agents (goal-seeking, action-taking) 2. Predictive analytics and machine learning 3. Conversational analytics 4. Real-time and continuous model training 5. AI-led workflow automation 6. Multimodal processing (documents, video, images, audio) 7. Anomaly and risk detection 8. Forecasting and optimisation 9. Vision and edge AI inference 10. Generative operational summaries MCP server support enables direct connectivity for AI models including Claude, GPT, and others. What Gets Built Rayven customers build and deploy: - Custom operational apps and field applications. - AI agents that monitor conditions, detect anomalies + take corrective action autonomously. - Predictive maintenance and performance models running on live plant data. - Real-time dashboards and executive reporting tools. - Workflow automations spanning IT and OT systems. - Customer and partner portals. - Data pipelines and integration layers. - White-label software products delivered under partner brands. Key Differentiators vs. Point solutions (Zapier, MuleSoft, Power BI, DataRobot): point solutions do one thing well but force teams to stitch together five separate tools to cover integration, data, AI, presentation, and governance. Rayven replaces the stack. vs. Traditional enterprise platforms (SAP, Oracle, Palantir): enterprise platforms take 12-18 months and seven figures to implement. Rayven deploys in two to 12 weeks at fixed scope and fixed price. vs. Low-code app builders (Mendix, OutSystems): app builders handle the presentation layer but do not solve the underlying data and integration problem. Rayven covers the full stack. Technology Compatibility Rayven is fully technology-agnostic and works alongside existing systems: - Cloud platforms: Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud + AWS - Business systems: SAP, Salesforce, Oracle, and Microsoft 365 - OT platforms: Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider Electric, and Ignition - Industrial protocols: OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT, BACnet, and EtherNet/IP - IoT devices: any device with a data output - Custom and proprietary systems via API, webhook, or direct connector Nothing needs to be replaced. Every existing investment is preserved. Who Uses Rayven Rayven serves businesses from growth-stage to large enterprise across 24+ industries globally - manufacturing, mining, construction, infrastructure, logistics, utilities, financial services, healthcare, agriculture, government, and more. Customers across Australia, Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. Named customers include Anglo American, Fulton Hogan, Glencore, Vodafone, NSW Ports, CSIRO, Collective Intelligence, Ramjack, and AngloGold Ashanti. Delivery Options - DIY: Full platform access. Internal teams build and deploy independently. - Done-For-You: Australia-based delivery team. Fixed scope, fixed price, two to 12 weeks from brief to go-live. - Hybrid: Guided delivery first, with the customer's team taking increasing ownership over time. By the Numbers - More than 600 pre-built connectors. - Ten native AI capabilities. - More than 240 deployments live globally. - Rated 5/5 across more than 140 independent reviews. - Deploys 66% faster than traditional development. - Two to 12 weeks to first working solution. - Rayven exists to close the gap: 95% of AI projects never reach production (industry average). **Average Rating:** 4.9/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 29 **How Do G2 Users Rate Rayven?** - **Quality of Support:** 9.9/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Rayven?** - **Seller:** [Rayven](https://www.g2.com/sellers/rayven) - **Year Founded:** 2016 - **HQ Location:** Sydney, AU - **Twitter:** @RayvenIOT (56 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/rayveniot/ (29 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Retail - **Company Size:** 67% Mid-Market, 50% Small-Business #### What Are Rayven's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (61 reviews) - Features (49 reviews) - Automation (44 reviews) - Customization (42 reviews) - Data Management (36 reviews) **Cons:** - Learning Curve (32 reviews) - Difficult Learning (30 reviews) - Learning Difficulty (25 reviews) - Complex Setup (21 reviews) - Setup Complexity (19 reviews) ### 4. [SensorHound](https://www.g2.com/products/sensorhound/reviews) SensorHound's mission is to improve the security and reliability of the Internet of Things (IoT). It provides continuous in situ deployment monitoring you can count on, and sends immediate alerts with detailed diagnostic information when software failures or security intrusions are detected. **Who Is the Company Behind SensorHound?** - **Seller:** [SensorHound](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sensorhound) - **HQ Location:** West Lafayette, IN - **Twitter:** @SensorHound (51 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/No-Linkedin-Presence-Added-Intentionally-By-DataOps (1 employees on LinkedIn®) ### 5. [Shield-IoT Ltd](https://www.g2.com/products/shield-iot-ltd/reviews) Shield-IoT provides real-time cyber security and operational monitoring anomaly detection software solutions to protect any IoT device, application or network. **Who Is the Company Behind Shield-IoT Ltd?** - **Seller:** [Shield-IoT Ltd.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/shield-iot-ltd) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/shieldiot/ ### 6. [Symbiote Defense](https://www.g2.com/products/symbiote-defense/reviews) Red Balloon Security is a leading security provider and research firm for embedded devices across all industries. **Who Is the Company Behind Symbiote Defense?** - **Seller:** [Red Baloon Security](https://www.g2.com/sellers/red-baloon-security) - **Year Founded:** 2011 - **HQ Location:** New York, US - **Twitter:** @redballoonsec (1,639 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/red-balloon-security/ (27 employees on LinkedIn®) ### 7. [Tempered Airwall](https://www.g2.com/products/tempered-airwall/reviews) Tempered Airwall™ creates hyper-secure networks across a complex infrastructure with our overlay technology that layers on top of any IP network allowing you to build a trusted identity based network with a software defined perimeter, network micro-segmentation that prevents lateral movement, and end to end encryption for secure remote access between any two systems anywhere for IT, Operational Technology, IOT, IIOT, Cloud, Mobile. Airwall™ makes ‘things’ on a network invisible and protects against cyber-attacks. Airwall is a comprehensive solution that is exceptionally effective at protecting critical physical infrastructure, while still allowing secure remote access. Airwall Solutions extend to cloud, virtual, and physical environments. Secure every endpoint in your network, from local data center to global infrastructure. Provide global connectivity and mobility for your entire workforce, wherever they are and for whatever they need to reach, securely. **Average Rating:** 3.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 1 **Who Is the Company Behind Tempered Airwall?** - **Seller:** [Tempered Networks](https://www.g2.com/sellers/tempered-networks) - **Year Founded:** 2012 - **HQ Location:** Lynnwood, US - **Twitter:** @TemperedNW (593 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4810350/ (11 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 100% Small-Business ### 8. [Tosibox](https://www.g2.com/products/tosibox/reviews) Tosibox is the cybersecurity and networking partner for securing OT networks and critical infrastructure. Tosibox is ISO 27001 certified, has automated OT networking and cybersecurity already in 150 countries, and is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and municipalities throughout the world. Tosibox Platform is an automated, cybersecurity platform for your OT networks and infrastructure. From one user and one device, it scales remote access to an enterprise-level OT network solution with hundreds or even thousands of users, devices, and sites connected. Tosibox Platform fits all industries and organizations, regardless of the size or vertical, and is designed to meet your needs today and well into the future. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 1 **How Do G2 Users Rate Tosibox?** - **Quality of Support:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Tosibox?** - **Seller:** [Tosibox](https://www.g2.com/sellers/tosibox) - **Year Founded:** 2011 - **HQ Location:** Oulu, North Ostrobothnia, Finland - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/tosibox (104 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 200% Mid-Market ### 9. [Wind River Helix Virtualization Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/wind-river-helix-virtualization-platform/reviews) Wind River is a Internet of Things (IoT) software company. **Who Is the Company Behind Wind River Helix Virtualization Platform?** - **Seller:** [Wind River](https://www.g2.com/sellers/wind-river) - **Year Founded:** 1981 - **HQ Location:** United States - **Twitter:** @WindRiver (7,830 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/3982/ (2,438 employees on LinkedIn®) ### 10. [XONA Critical System Gateway (CSG)](https://www.g2.com/products/xona-critical-system-gateway-csg/reviews) The XONA Critical System Gateway (CSG) is purpose-built to provide frictionless and compliant user access to critical infrastructure (CI) and operational technology (OT) assets. XONA enables simple and secure remote operations to these CI and OT assets while protecting them from cyber threats posed by a distributed workforce, including third-party vendors. The CSG allows users to quickly connect and manage critical infrastructure assets and systems from anywhere at any time. The XONA platform has integrated a zero-trust framework comprised of multi-factor authentication, user-to-asset access controls, protocol isolation, user session analytics, and automatic video recording. Support for SAML 2.0 is available. XONA is the single, secure portal to the cyber-physical world enabling critical operations to happen from anywhere at any time with total confidence and trust. **Who Is the Company Behind XONA Critical System Gateway (CSG)?** - **Seller:** [XONA Systems](https://www.g2.com/sellers/xona-systems) - **Year Founded:** 2017 - **HQ Location:** Hanover, US - **LinkedIn® Page:** http://www.linkedin.com/company/xonasystems (48 employees on LinkedIn®) ## What Is IoT Security Solutions? [System Security Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/system-security) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right IoT Security Solutions? ### What You Should Know About Iot Security Solutions ### What are IoT Security Solutions? While the Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most rapidly expanding components of the technology sector, it’s also one of the least secure. IoT security solutions help companies monitor their IoT endpoints while enforcing strict data security and access control policies. IoT security software helps protect data stored in industrial control systems (ICS), smart cars, intelligent machinery, and other internet-enabled endpoints. Many internet-enabled devices are built for consumers, but some are produced with virtually zero security measures in place. Security is paramount since IoT devices are now extensively used in healthcare and agriculture. Unsecured devices can be shut down, manipulated, or damaged, leading to unfortunate consequences. IoT security tools aim to control network access by encrypting information stored in or produced by connected devices. It actively monitors devices to identify security risks and respond to them. In addition, these tools can secure APIs, offer device segmentation features, integrate with IoT management tools, discover potential attack surfaces, and sometimes uncover unmanaged devices. IoT security solutions are sometimes called embedded security software as it secures edge devices. Depending on the solution, users can have complete visibility over IoT devices and networks. In short, IoT security solutions can prevent connected smart devices from unwanted access or manipulation and ensure secure transfer, management, and data ingestion from IoT devices. IoT security solutions also ensure that IoT devices and management hubs receive regular security updates. This tool can also improve efficiency and benefits related to IoT operations, enabling organizations to stay informed on emerging cyber threats or vulnerabilities. ### What are the Common Features of IoT Security Solutions? The following are some core features of IoT security solutions: **Asset management:** This functionality allows administrators to keep records of each network-connected device and its activity. Users can add new devices, disconnect old ones, and restrict access to approved parties. **Compliance management:** This feature enforces data security policies and allows users to audit and monitor asset and infrastructure security. Products with this capability typically comply with PII, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI, and other regulatory standards. **Behavioral biometrics:** This functionality allows monitoring of user-endpoint interactions, providing administrators valuable insights about end-user behavior. This data can be used to create baselines for performance and behavior when looking for anomalies. **Endpoint intelligence:** This feature integrates threat data with security tools and delivers information to IoT devices. Users can utilize this threat intelligence data, such as new malware and vulnerabilities, to provide new protection solutions specific to their endpoint devices. **Continuous monitoring:** Real-time and continuous monitoring feature allows IT and security professionals to monitor systems and detect anomalies at all times. This feature alerts administrators to malfunctions, security threats, and other abnormal behavior. **Remediation:** The remediation feature allows investigation and resolution into IoT devices when incidents occur. This functionality enables individuals and security teams to track incidents to their source and identify suspicious actors or malware. **Response automation:** This feature allows for removing manual labor from remediation tasks. With this feature, the user can resolve common threats, known malware, or accidental misuse easily and automatically. **Endpoint isolation:** When threats are discovered, or individual endpoints are infected with malware, access must be cut off from the IoT network as a whole. With endpoint isolation, users can quarantine an infected endpoint to restrict network access until the incident is resolved. ### What are the Benefits of IoT Security Solutions? IoT is part of the fourth industrial revolution (or Industry 4.0), which has connected millions of devices for personal and professional use. Companies utilizing internet-enabled medical devices, intelligent machinery, or other smart devices should protect information stored or produced by users. Several factors can lead to IoT security breaches. This includes the lack of standardization around IoT security, human errors, and improper understanding of IoT technology. With a robust IoT security system in place, organizations can secure their devices, ensure proper functionality and data protection, and prevent penalties resulting from breaches, hacks, or any other kinds of security incidents. The following are some of the notable benefits of using IoT security platforms: **Protection:** Not all devices and machines were originally designed to connect to the internet. Companies rush to bring smart, new technology-enabled products to market, often at the cost of proper security design. Many products possess easily accessible flaws and little to no product access control. These devices should be password protected, and the data stored within them should be encrypted. A hacker can effortlessly obtain unencrypted information without privileges to access an IoT endpoint. These devices should also be equipped with firewall controls to block malicious traffic and antivirus or antimalware solutions to prevent further damage if already infected. IoT security tools can help organizations perform these activities effectively. **Management:** Keeping track of dozens or hundreds of endpoint devices can be tough. IoT security tools help companies create an inventory of assets and control who has access to them. This can be useful for bulk updates or patches. Administrators can now control the device’s life cycle and access its information. Any stored sensitive or business data will be wiped if a device is no longer in use. Administrators can restrict network access for the device and investigate its origin if an unapproved new endpoint appears. **Monitor:** Device discovery is a key benefit of the monitor feature. With device discovery, users can get the origin details of the device and information on its interactions. The monitor feature helps companies ensure their endpoints are operating efficiently and alert them to abnormal behavior. The company can remediate any security issues discovered after investigating an abnormality. ### Who Uses IoT Security Solutions? Below are a few examples of groups that use IoT security solutions. **Security teams:** Security teams are the most frequent users of IoT security solutions. Many businesses with large pools of internet-enabled endpoint devices create teams to manage endpoint life cycles, monitor their performance, and resolve security issues. **IT personnel:** Other primary users of IoT security solutions are IT staff, though their role will likely be more focused on managing device life cycles and permissions. They will also update the software or firmware running on the device and patch any relevant flaws. IT's role in IoT security management will vary depending on the company’s staff and the size of its security operations teams. **Vertical industry professionals:** Many vertical industries may have non-security professionals managing IoT operations. These teams should be more cautious, as a lack of security knowledge and experience can lead to events like data breaches. A few examples of business verticals without specialized security expertise include manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and healthcare organizations. #### Software Related to IoT Security Solutions Related solutions that can be used together with IoT security solutions include: [IoT device management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/iot-device-management) **:** This software is used to track, manage, and monitor IoT devices, ensuring each device is protected from vulnerabilities. Since an IoT infrastructure will have hundreds or thousands of endpoints spread out across multiple locations, this tool offers the ability to update the software and firmware of devices remotely. [Endpoint protection software](https://www.g2.com/categories/endpoint-protection) **:** This software and IoT security tools are designed to manage and secure devices connected to a business's network and remediate security issues as they arise. Endpoint protection tools typically cover more traditional devices such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices, while IoT security solutions are designed for any number of unique devices. [Attack surface management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/attack-surface-management) **:** These tools help users continuously monitor networks, cloud services, and assets. Doing so makes it possible to identify and remediate vulnerabilities. [Unified endpoint management (UEM) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/unified-endpoint-management-uem) **:** UEM software is similar to endpoint protection and IoT security software. While they are designed to manage similar devices as endpoint protection tools, they lack the malware protection and incident response feature in IoT security and endpoint protection solutions. [Zero trust networking software](https://www.g2.com/categories/zero-trust-networking) **:** This software continually verifies user permissions using adaptive authentication. It allows organizations to monitor user behavior and network activity to adapt authentication requirements on an individual basis. [Network access control (NAC) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-access-control-nac) **:** NAC software unifies endpoint security with network security. These tools allow approved devices to gain access to a network. Many IoT security solutions provide NAC as a feature, but traditional NAC tools are not equipped for the scale of IoT systems. [Threat intelligence software](https://www.g2.com/categories/threat-intelligence) **:** Threat intelligence software offers information regarding the latest cybersecurity threats, exploits, and new forms of malware. It can analyze threats on different devices and networks and describe the best remediation strategies for emerging threats. ### Challenges with IoT Security Solutions IoT devices are inherently vulnerable. Most IoT devices have minimal memory, storage, and computing capabilities, making it harder for security implementation. Even with the implementation of security best practices, the growing number of devices and attack vectors make it challenging to secure IoT devices. Therefore, companies must rely heavily on IoT security software solutions to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities. However, IoT security platforms comes with its own set of challenges. **Need for skilled employees:** With IoT still being explored, there is a gap in the skills of IoT security professionals. Without fully understanding IoT devices' security risks, securing them using a software solution is hard. Upskilling employees and hiring talent with cybersecurity and IoT security expertise are ways to counter this. **Need for IoT management software:** IoT security systems may offer an interface for monitoring threats and installing updates across devices but might require IoT management software for general management of devices and data scraping. Buyers should research to what degree the IoT security systems will integrate with an IoT management system in place. Organizations also need to consider other integrations, perhaps involving enterprise-level IT security tools. **Need for frequent updates:** As new vulnerabilities are discovered and resolved, it’s crucial to distribute the updated version of the software to all IoT devices. Otherwise, attackers will be able to exploit the vulnerabilities. **Physical security risks:** If attackers have physical access to the IoT device, they could open the device and exploit the hardware. This is one of the biggest challenges of IoT security software, as attackers can bypass the software protection and read the contents of the memory components directly. ### How to Buy IoT Security Solutions #### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for IoT Security Solutions The modern IoT ecosystem is complex, especially industrial IoT. IoT security tools are not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider a platform that offers the necessary security features or customize a system that meets the company requirements. Understanding the IoT ecosystem and protecting IoT devices is essential. More precisely, buyers should perform an internal assessment about what IoT security means to the organization. This step is usually called requirements gathering, and its success can impact the effectiveness of the tool chosen for the specific use case. Having a precise understanding of the budget to purchase the software is also essential. This will empower buyers to go for a solution with essential features that fit the budget and avail additional features if there’s more to spend. Some of the common and essential features in the case of IoT security platforms will be device authentication, data encryption, performance monitoring, threat detection, asset discovery, device authorization, and security alerts. Apart from the basic features, buyers should also check which specific features are essential for their business use case. #### Compare IoT Security Solutions **Create a long list** Evaluating software products should start with a long list of IoT security software vendors. At this point, instead of trying to find the best option, buyers should try to better understand the software products available for purchase. This initial long list can contain any software solution that meets the company's minimum requirements. The idea here is to eliminate products that don’t provide critical functionality. **Create a short list** Creating a short list aims to reduce the number of IoT security products and get closer to a purchase decision. In other words, creating a short list allows buyers to get even more specific about their ideal IoT security solution. To shorten the list, buyers could look for specific features, such as ​agentless monitoring, real-time metrics, offline monitoring for resource-constrained devices, vulnerability management, threat intelligence, 24x7 vendor support, resolution capability. More precisely, buyers can assess whether the remaining software products have nice-to-have features. There isn’t a specific rule regarding the number of software products that can make their way to the short list. However, it’s better to create a short list, preferably with no more than five to seven products. **Conduct demos** Product demos are beneficial to understand a product better and compare it with other products in the short list. To effectively differentiate the products, buyers should test the IoT security products with the same use cases. During demos, buyers can examine the usability and user experience of the product, check whether the features work as advertised, and ask questions regarding the features the company needs the most. #### Selection of IoT Security Solutions **Choose a selection team** Buying IoT security solutions is costly, so businesses need to ensure the right stakeholders make the best decision. The company should assemble a team, which will be crucial to successfully purchasing and implementing IoT security software. The selection team should include the relevant stakeholders of the company who can use the IoT security solution, scrutinize it, and assess whether it will meet all the business requirements. Decision-makers, IT managers, IT administrators, and security team professionals could be the primary stakeholders included in such a team. **Negotiation** Product prices on the software vendor's site are not always fixed. Having an open conversation with the vendor is advisable regarding licensing and pricing. In some instances, vendors may be keen to provide discounts for multi-year contracts. Vendors may also remove certain optional features and lower the price. Although vendors may try to convince buyers to purchase extra features or licenses, companies may never utilize them. Therefore, it’s advisable to start small regarding functionality and licensing. **Final decision** The best way to make the final decision is by implementing the software on a small scale. This will give buyers the confidence that the IoT security solution they chose is the best. If the software solution doesn’t work as expected or has undeveloped features, it must be reevaluated. In most cases, software vendors offer a free trial of the product. If the software meets the expectation during the trial period, buyers can confidently proceed with the contracting or purchasing process. ### IoT Security Solutions Trends **Automated security** Automation will become more prevalent within IoT security. With the number of IoT devices increasing almost exponentially, it’s becoming increasingly hard to analyze log data. Dealing with data points in the order of millions or billions requires machine learning. Therefore, automated security will become more crucial for IoT security. **Standardization** There is no specific standard regarding IoT device security among different vendors. This disparity is the reason for several security issues, which is a nightmare for security professionals. Securing IoT devices and data becomes an organized attempt by standardizing security protocols and systems, which is something to anticipate in the near future.