Page 64 - Cyber Defense eMagazine June 2024
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IoT and connected device trust practices
This category focused on companies that that sell or manufacture IoT devices such as factory sensors,
home thermostats, and smart watches. Like enterprise organizations, most of these manufacturers were
doing well, but not great.
Surprisingly, 87% reported that they exchange personal information from IoT and connected devices via
non-encrypted channels. But once again, digital trust leaders performed better than laggards, reporting
no compliance issues related to connected and IoT device trust.
Software trust
The survey also examined how well organizations were ensuring digital trust for the software that they
sell or distribute to end customers. Nearly all (99%) reported that they were code signing software source
code. However, only one third code-signed environments such as containers.
Although these practices are a great start, just one in 20 rated their enterprise trust practices as extremely
mature. None reported that they would be able discover all applications for a specific code-signing private
key, in the event it was compromised. Among digital trust leaders, fewer digital trust issues were reported.
None of the top organizations reported experiencing compliance issues or software supply chain
compromises.
ESignature trust
ESignature trust practices received the lowest rating out of the areas surveyed. Approximately half of
participants used electronic seals for sales, procurement, payroll, and legal documents. This category
also showed a high incidence of problems related to digital document trust issues, with 100% reporting
issues with identity theft or impersonation, problems with paper-based contract processes, and bad
actors misrepresenting a document as coming from their organization.
However, especially among digital trust leaders, eSignature trust practices have helped organizations
with digital innovation, employee productivity, and brand reputation.
Taking a proactive approach to trust
As the importance of digital trust grows, the gap between organizations that are successful at managing,
and those that are falling behind, is growing as well. Most digital trust leaders and laggards are already
aware of where they stand. However, the risk comes into play when organizations may be unaware of
their limitations.
What steps can you take to gain better self-awareness when it comes to digital trust, and put an effective
strategy in place?
Cyber Defense eMagazine – June 2024 Edition 64
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