Consumer IoT Security Video Series 

Consumer IoT security is a thorny problem. The Internet of Things (IoT) is increasing embedding itself into our lives, offering promises of efficiency and ease. Yet these devices are often incredibly insecure, allowing even unsophisticated hackers to break into the things that touch intimate parts of our lives.  

We interviewed experts across the fields of industry, threat intelligence, academia, government, and more to hear their thoughts and insights into the state of consumer IoT security and what the future might hold.

Content Menu

General IoT

A broad range of discussions around IoT security – including topics such as the basics of IoT security, obstacles to effective policymaking, and the role of liability in IoT security.

Obstacles to Securing IoT

Beau Woods, Ollie Whitehouse, and Madeline Carr

What is the Internet of Things?

Madeline Carr, Professor of Global Politics and Cybersecurity at University College London

Is there a role for internet service providers to play in promoting IoT security?

Bruce Schneier, Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School

What types of changes should we be hoping for in computer science and tech education?

Sarah Zatko, Chief Scientist, Cyber ITL

Fundamental Principles of Privacy

Lorrie Cranor, Director CyLab Security & Privacy Institute, Carnegie Mellon University

What role can liability play in securing the IoT ecosystem?

Bruce Schneier, Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School

Participation in IoT security conversations

Kat Megas, Cybersecurity for IoT Program Manager, NIST

Is liability protection enough to change the security of the IoT ecosystem?

Bruce Schneier, Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School

Thinking about IoT risk

Kat Megas, Cybersecurity for IoT Program Manager, NIST

IoT Threat Landscape

A deeper dive into the Internet of Things threat landscape, including a look into the Fronton Botnet.

Cybercriminal monetization of compromised IoT devices

Stephen Hilt, Senior Threat Researcher, Trend Micro

IoT devices in the Fronton botnet

Vincas Ciziunas, Intelligence Principal researcher, Nisos

IoT Botnets

Stephen Hilt, Senior Threat Researcher, Trend Micro

Unpacking the Fronton Botnet

Vincas Ciziunas, Intelligence Principal researcher, Nisos

The Broader IoT Thread Landscape

Stephen Hilt, Senior Threat Researcher, Trend Micro

The Role of Government

Exploring the role of government policy in Internet of Things security, including how specific government agencies and countries have approached these issues in the last few years.

Why did Finland choose to pursue an IoT product labeling approach?

Jussi Eronen, Chief Specialist, NCSC FI/Traficom

How can we put IoT security on the radar of policymakers?

Bruce Schneier, Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School

What would your advice be to other countries starting to consider taking action on IoT security?

Jussi Eronen, Chief Specialist, NCSC FI/Traficom

The unique role of the FTC in IoT security

Lorrie Cranor, Professor of Computer Science & Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University

NIST and International IoT security efforts

Kat Megas, Cybersecurity for IoT Program Manager, NIST

International leadership in IoT security

Ollie Whitehouse, NCC Group

Why is IoT security a priority for Finland?

Jussi Eronen, Chief Specialist, NCSC FI/Traficom

The role of industry

The counterpart of the government section – what is the role for industry when it comes to better securing the Internet of Things ecosystem?

What improvements to IoT security can be found in the development toolchain?

Sarah Zatko, Chief Scientist, Cyber ITL

The importance of industry action on IoT

Beau Woods, Cyber Safety Advocate, I Am The Cavalry

What should we prioritize when it comes to IoT security guidances?

Sarah Zatko, Chief Scientist, Cyber ITL

How can the ecosystem better address end-of-life IoT devices?

Sarah Zatko, Chief Scientist, Cyber ITL

Consumers and IoT products

Finally – what role can the consumers of IoT products play in shaping and pushing the ecosystem towards a more secure mindset?

Will consumers pay more for secure IoT products?

Jussi Eronen, Chief Specialist, NCSC FI/Traficom

Consumer Education on IoT Security

Shea Nangle, Federal Practice Lead at Leviathan Security Group

End-of-Life IoT Products

Ollie Whitehouse, NCC Group

Empowering Consumers

Lorrie Cranor, Professor of Computer Science & Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University


The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, under the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), works at the nexus of geopolitics and cybersecurity to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users of technology.