Brigham Young University Professor and Students Develop Technology to Secure IoT Devices
In a world where almost every household device connects to the internet, cybersecurity is a growing concern. IoT devices, such as thermostats, doorbells, and even pet feeders, are often vulnerable to cyberattacks, putting private networks at risk. However, a team led by Brigham Young University computer engineering professor Phil Lundrigan has developed a groundbreaking technology to address this issue.
Lundrigan and his team, including students Jacob Johnson, Ashton Palacios, and Cody Arvonen, have created a solution that reduces the risk of IoT devices serving as backdoors into private networks. The technology, called “Latency Shift Keying,” allows for communication between a Wi-Fi device and a trusted network without compromising security.
The innovative method involves strategically jamming Wi-Fi communications with the device, causing a momentary increase in latency. The pattern of jamming conveys information, which is detected by another device on the network. This new wireless subprotocol creates an air gap for safety between untrusted IoT devices and secured networks, allowing communication to occur only when necessary.
Lundrigan’s solution offers a unique approach to securing IoT devices without the need for additional hardware or complex network configurations. The team’s work has been accepted for presentation at the 2024 International Conference on Mobile Computing and Networking, showcasing the potential impact of their research.
With cybersecurity threats on the rise, Lundrigan’s technology provides a much-needed solution to protect private networks from malicious attacks through IoT devices. By bridging the gap between complete trust and complete untrust, this innovative technology offers a safer way to connect household devices to the internet.
