CYBERSECURITY TRENDS IN THE AGE OF IOT AND SMART DEVICES

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices has revolutionized the way individuals, businesses, and governments interact with technology. However, this technological advancement has introduced new and complex cybersecurity challenges. The decentralized nature of IoT networks, limited computational capabilities of connected devices, and lack of standardized security protocols make them highly susceptible to cyber threats. This paper explores emerging cybersecurity trends relevant to the IoT ecosystem, including AI-driven threat detection, blockchain-based security frameworks, zero-trust architecture, and edge computing strategies. It also examines the evolving threat landscape, the role of regulatory policies, and the importance of adopting a proactive and adaptive security posture. Addressing these trends is crucial to ensuring data integrity, user privacy, and system resilience in an increasingly connected digital environment.