The Internet of Things (IoT) has quietly taken over your office, factory floor, warehouse, and maybe even your boardroom.
Intelligent printers. Connected thermostats. IP cameras. Smart TVs. HVAC controllers. Voice assistants. Industrial sensors. Even coffee machines.
Each of these “forgotten” devices could be an entry point into your network. Most businesses don’t even know how many are really connected.
That’s why IoT is one of the most dangerous and overlooked attack surfaces today.
This article explains what IoT penetration testing is, why it matters, the threats you may not be aware of, and how a cybersecurity partner like Wyrdex can help you identify and fix vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them.
Why Most Security Programs Overlook IoT
Traditional IT security focuses on endpoints, servers, networks, and applications.
But IoT devices are different:
- They often run outdated firmware.
- Many ship with hardcoded or default passwords.
- Some are difficult or impossible to patch.
- Their purpose is functionality, not security.
- They’re often excluded from asset inventories.
How can you protect your network if you don’t even know what’s on it?
Attackers know this. They actively target IoT devices to:
- Gain an initial foothold into networks
- Harvest credentials and move laterally
- Launch DDoS attacks (as the Mirai botnet demonstrated)
- Disrupt operations (especially in healthcare or manufacturing)
- Spy via compromised cameras and microphones
IoT isn’t just about convenience. It’s a real security risk.
If you haven’t tested your devices, you don’t know what they can do.
What Is IoT Penetration Testing?
IoT penetration testing is a focused security assessment of connected devices, their communication channels, and the infrastructure they integrate with.
It simulates real-world attacks to identify:
- Weak or default credentials
- Open ports and services
- Insecure APIs or firmware
- Poor access controls
- Unprotected communication protocols (MQTT, CoAP, BLE, etc.)
- Hidden backdoors or undocumented features
- Misconfigured cloud services and mobile apps
It goes beyond vulnerability scans. IoT pentesting examines hardware, software, networks, and cloud services to reveal how hackers could pivot from a smart device into your internal systems.
Real-World Examples of IoT Breaches
1. Casino Thermometer Breach
Hackers stole high-roller data through a smart aquarium thermometer connected to the internal network without proper segmentation.
2. Verkada Camera Hack
Attackers accessed 150,000 live feeds from school, factory, and office cameras due to hardcoded credentials and weak access controls.
3. Industrial Plant Shutdown
An IoT sensor was compromised, halting machinery in a factory. The device was unknowingly connected to the main network.
These cases show how IoT devices often become the weakest link.
What a Wyrdex IoT Penetration Test Looks Like
At Wyrdex, IoT pentesting is thorough and systematic:
1. Device Discovery and Asset Mapping
We use active scanning and passive sniffing to uncover all connected devices. Most clients are surprised by what we find unregistered cameras, leftover demo units, old Wi-Fi speakers, and test kits plugged into live networks.
2. Firmware and Software Analysis
We extract and reverse-engineer firmware, identify hardcoded secrets, buffer overflows, and undocumented functions.
3. Network and Protocol Testing
We intercept traffic between devices and cloud services, testing protocols like:
- HTTP/HTTPS
- MQTT, AMQP
- CoAP
- Z-Wave, Zigbee
- Bluetooth Low Energy
- UPnP
- RTSP
4. Web Interface and API Testing
We assess mobile apps, embedded web UIs, and APIs for flaws like XSS, CSRF, broken authentication, and IDOR.
5. Cloud and Mobile Integration Review
IoT rarely stands alone we test cloud dashboards, mobile apps, and backend servers.
6. Physical Access Testing (Optional)
Using microcontrollers, we simulate UART access, JTAG debugging, and firmware dumping.
7. Reporting and Remediation
Our reports include:
- Prioritized vulnerabilities
- Risk ratings
- Clear remediation steps
- Best practices for future deployments
And we don’t just report we help you fix.
Common Findings in IoT Pentests
Across hundreds of IoT assessments, Wyrdex has repeatedly found:
- Default usernames and passwords
- Open Telnet and SSH ports
- Unencrypted data transmissions
- Weak Bluetooth pairing
- Mobile apps exposing API keys
- Lack of device segmentation
- Outdated firmware with known CVEs
- Admin panels without authentication
- No brute force or rate limiting protections
These aren’t just technical issues they’re real attack vectors.
Industries Most at Risk from IoT Threats
Some sectors rely heavily on IoT, making them especially vulnerable:
- Healthcare: infusion pumps, telemetry devices, connected monitors
- Manufacturing: PLCs, SCADA systems, industrial sensors
- Retail: digital signage, smart kiosks, POS systems
- Hospitality: smart TVs, thermostats, access control
- Finance: security cameras, building automation tools
- Logistics: RFID readers, GPS trackers, fleet sensors
For these industries, IoT security isn’t optional it’s essential.
Beyond Pentesting: How Wyrdex Secures IoT
We don’t just test. We provide end-to-end IoT security, including:
- Network segmentation and device isolation
- Secure procurement and deployment policies
- Continuous monitoring of IoT traffic and behavior
- Secure configuration baselines and hardening
- Firmware update and lifecycle management strategies
- IoT-specific incident response planning
- Vendor and supplier IoT risk scoring
At Wyrdex, IoT isn’t an afterthought it’s part of your core security strategy.
Compliance and IoT Security
IoT is increasingly covered in regulations:
- GDPR: Protects personal data collected by connected devices
- HIPAA: Covers medical devices transmitting patient information
- PCI DSS: Applies to devices handling payment data
- NIS2 / ISO/IEC 62443: Address IoT risks in critical infrastructure
Ignoring IoT security can lead to fines, lawsuits, or compliance failures.
Wyrdex helps you stay ahead by identifying and remediating IoT risks quickly.
Questions Every Business Should Ask
- Do you know all IoT devices connected to your network?
- Are you monitoring their behavior?
- Do you update their firmware regularly?
- Are they segmented from critical systems?
- Have you ever tested them for vulnerabilities?
If your answer is “no” or “I don’t know,” you’re at risk.
Why Choose Wyrdex for IoT Security?
Organizations across Europe and beyond trust Wyrdex to protect their systems. We specialize in penetration testing, managed security, incident response, and compliance with deep expertise in IoT.
What sets us apart:
- Dedicated IoT pentesting team with hardware and firmware expertise
- Real-world attack simulations not just theoretical scans
- 24/7 monitoring through our managed SOC
- Proven track record across critical industries
- Clear, actionable reports
- Ongoing support and remediation guidance
We don’t just check boxes we uncover real threats and help you eliminate them.
Final Word: Secure the Devices You Forgot
Your firewall won’t stop a hacked lightbulb.
Your antivirus won’t detect a compromised IP camera.
The Internet of Things is everywhere. If you don’t test, you trust.
Let Wyrdex help you secure the devices you didn’t even know you had.
Contact our team today and take control of your IoT environment before attackers do.