Fortinet APs Secure IoT Devices from Cyber Threats

I’ve overdosed on coffee today. Again. But that’s what you get when your sauce is juggling firewall rule changes, vulnerability scans, and client calls before noon. Here’s the thing: IoT devices are ubiquitous now. And they are a nightmare for network security.

It’s as if we spent decades constructing impregnable castle walls, until one day we got bored and started making artisanal openings so we could have a Wi-Fi-connected fridge. (DISCLAIMER: I have strong opinions on IoT.) I’ve witnessed insecure IoT take down a network firsthand. Slammer worm? Dealt with it firsthand. DDoS botnet of misconfigured IP cameras? Seen it happen. Devices with default admin passwords hardcoded into them? More common than you think. But — there’s a way to tighten them without going insane. We need to discuss Fortinet APs and how they truly can secure IoT devices on Wi-Fi prior to becoming an enforced attack vector.

Quick Take

• IoT devices have no built-in security, making them an easy target.
• The Fortinet APs support segmentation, traffic filtering, and anomaly detection.
• Cordon off your network with zero-trust networking: The idea is that no device can be trusted.
• We’ve implemented Fortinet APs at those deployed for banks, hospitals and factories — they work.
• Don’t accept “AI-powered” security at face value — understand what’s really defending your network.

Why Are IoT Devices a Security Threat?

IoTs were designed for application, not security. That smart thermostat? It’s likely using out-of-date firmware with no encryption. That IP camera? Could still be using admin/admin as the default credentials.

Here are the common risks:

• Weak or Default Passwords. Numerous IoT devices are delivered without password enforcement.
• Outdated Firmware. Most manufacturers didn’t aggressively push patches (or even patches).
• Lack of Security Features. No built-in firewalls, no malware checking, just a bare device plugged into your network.
• Network Privilege Escalation. Is it necessary for a smart TV to have access to your primary corporate database? (Hint: It doesn’t.)
• Botnet Risks. Botted IoT devices can be used in DDoS attacks—hello, Mirai!

I’ve seen companies’ entire networks get compromised because someone plugged a cheap IoT device onto the same Wi-Fi segment as mission-critical servers. Don’t do that.

Fortinet: How Fortinet APs Protect IoT Networks

To be clear, we know IoT is insecure. What’s the fix?

What IoT really needs — and what Fortinet’s Access Points (APs) represent — is security-first networking. For starters, when we set up Fortinet APs for customers, we’re not only talking about improving Wi-Fi; the real focus is on management and security of all devices that connect. What distinguishes Fortinet APs from the others?

• Threat Protection Automation. FortiAPs combine with FortiGuard AI-driven security (I’m normally a cynical person about AI, but this does actually work) to detect infected devices on the fly.
• Device Fingerprinting. They can check what type of device is connecting — laptop, printer, smart doorbell — and apply custom security rules.
• Integrated Firewall Features. Instead of being dumb APs like others out there, Fortinet APs leverage the network security resources to block malicious traffic before it advances.
• FortiGate Firewall Integration. If you use a FortiGate firewall, these APs offer full network visibility.

You are enhanced with standard data until October 2023. This part is critical. Even if an attacker completely takes over an IoT device, they shouldn’t be able to access your entire network.

By segmenting the IoT devices into isolated VLANs, Fortinet APs allow us to:

• Ward off infections across devices. An infected IoT camera won’t infect corporate desktops with malware.
• Limit accessibility for important information. IoT devices receive only the minimum connectivity required—nothing additional.
• Allow granular controls. Live data feeds as it is 16 seconds ago Upvote 169. Need to prevent IoT devices from dotting the internet route but firmware updates? Done.

IoT Security: Practical Setup

1. Create a Dedicated IoT SSID. Isolate IoT traffic from your office network entirely.
2. Apply Strict Access Control. Implement MAC filtering, device authentication, and restricted VLAN access.
3. Enable Anomaly Detection. Fortinet APs can flag devices that behave abnormally.
4. Stop Extra Correspondence at Doing Well. You only want IoT devices to communicate with cloud services—don’t allow them to communicate with everything on your LAN.

IoT Security Services offered by PJ Networks

We’ve been securing networks for decades—long before the internet of things was even a buzzword. (Anyone remember Token Ring?)

Recently we, at PJ Networks, have implemented a number of Fortinet-based IoT security solutions for:

• Banks. (We helped three of them to a full zero-trust model — no IoT device benefits from unrestricted access.)
• Manufacturing. (Industrial sensors connected? Risky. Fortinet allows us to monitor and control them effectively.)
• Healthcare. (Medical IoT is growing. So are security risks—we prevent breaches before they happen.)

And to be clear, we do not simply get close to Fortinet APs—we have services that involve the design, implementation, and maintenance of secure IoT Wi-Fi environments. I can assure you, you don’t want to find out that your building’s security cameras have been streaming to a server in Russia. Let’s just ensure that doesn’t happen to begin with.

Conclusion

IoT isn’t going away. Smart devices have become a dream for companies everywhere — the convenience is great, and the risks often go ignored until something bad happens.

Fortinet Access Points offer the control, visibility, and security that help prevent IoT devices from becoming a security nightmare. If you still have IoT devices running on the same Wi-Fi network as your sensitive business data, you should probably fix that. ASAP.

And if you aren’t sure where to begin? We can help.

Because I’d much rather help you lock down your network before you find yourself on the receiving end of an IoT-based malware infection.