Internet of Things to see security services soar

Gartner predicts there will be 26 billion connected "things" by 2020 - many of which will need securing in a corporate setting

The boom in the Internet of Things (IoT) trend will see more than 20 per cent of businesses procure security services specifically targeted at protecting connected devices by 2020, according to Gartner.

The analyst - which predicts there will be around 26 billion connected "things" in the world by 2020 - said the rise in IoT tech in the workplace will force enterprises to secure them properly.

Businesses operating in the manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, banking and securities markets will likely see the greatest value from IoT, Gartner said, adding that there will be a $309bn (£190bn) incremental revenue opportunity in 2020 for IT firms providing IoT-related kit.

But IT providers will be tasked with dishing out advice and selling security services to ensure the connected "things" do not become a threat.

"The IoT is a conspicuous inflection point for IT security - and the CISO will be on the front lines of its emerging and complex governance and management," said Gartner research vice president Earl Perkins.

"At this time, there is no 'guide to securing IoT' available that provides CISOs with a framework for incorporating IoT principles across all industries and use cases. What constitutes an IoT device is still up for interpretation, so securing the IoT is a ‘moving target'."