Understanding the Growing Risks of Technology Misuse and Nefarious Exploitation

The rapid advancement of technology brings unprecedented opportunities but also exposes organizations to significant risks. High-profile incidents, such as South Korea’s military removing over 1,300 Chinese-made surveillance cameras due to espionage concerns, highlight the growing threat of technology being misused for inappropriate surveillance. Spyware companies have similarly faced international scrutiny for selling surveillance tools to oppressive regimes, further emphasizing the need for increased security and global vigilance.

However, these risks are not limited to sophisticated state-sponsored operations. Everyday consumers and businesses face dangers from the influx of off-the-shelf technology products available on major retailer platforms or unregulated marketplaces. While these platforms provide access to affordable, mass-market tech gadgets, the security risks associated with these products are often overlooked.

Exposed Data

In many cases, devices such as smart cameras, fitness trackers and even smart home appliances are sold without sufficient security protections. This lack of protection makes these devices easy targets for hackers, allowing bad actors to gain unauthorized access to personal and organizational data. Worse, many of these products are designed to transmit data back to third-party servers, often located in countries with lax privacy regulations. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive information, as it increases the risk of breaches and unauthorized surveillance. This risk has only increased with the higher number of individuals who work from home over the last four years, where the exposure to personally bought technology is greater.

A Recognized Threat

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recognized the threat posed by certain foreign-made technologies and, in response, maintains a Covered List of communications equipment and services deemed a national security risk. This list includes companies that are banned or restricted from use in the United States due to their potential links to espionage and surveillance activities. These measures are crucial for protecting national security, but they also highlight the global need for stricter regulations around technology imports.

The unregulated availability of these products adds another layer of complexity to the issue. Well-meaning consumers, who believe they are increasing their security posture at home or a small business office, are often unaware of the risks involved in purchasing low-cost tech that may be vulnerable to exploitation. As these technologies grow in popularity, it becomes imperative for individuals and businesses to carefully vet the devices they integrate into their homes, offices or throughout their organization.

Mitigating Organizational Risk

To mitigate these risks, organizations must implement strict vetting processes for the technology they adopt, even for harmless consumer-focused devices. Government agencies should expand their oversight on imports and online sales to ensure that these platforms are not inadvertently becoming vectors for malicious technologies. Consumers, too, should be aware of the potential risks and prioritize security features when making technology purchases. If your organization has an IT department, it should be involved in researching and purchasing equipment. If your company uses a security integrator, ensure that the integrators are actively vetting the purchase of equipment they use to deploy in your organization’s environment. If you work from home, you may be able to reach out to your company’s IT or Security Departments if you have questions on home security. Although most of these devices are considered “plug and play” for ease of installation, it is especially important to consider the internal network and application security that comes with these devices. Don’t fall into the trap of using default settings; it is recommended to change passwords, change IP addresses, and look at any other settings that can be customized to increase each device’s level of security.

Next Steps: TRC Can Help

In this era of rapid technological advancement, the balance between innovation and security has never been more critical. With increasing regulation, such as the FCC’s Covered List, and heightened consumer awareness, it is possible to mitigate the risks posed by malicious tech products, whether they are state-sponsored or available off-the-shelf on everyday platforms.

TRC security experts can work with your organization overall and your IT department specifically to make the best choices in security design using trustworthy equipment. Our experienced practitioners have a deep understanding of distributed operations models, specialized network configurations, and how technology can successfully be deployed to complete strong yet flexible security programs that balance the fundamentals of risk management, operational policies, system hardening and resiliency. Learn more about our physical and cyber security solutions or contact us to discuss your unique challenges today.

For more information, please contact us at SEMS@TRCCompanies.com