1 in 2 Companies Can't Detect IoT Device Breach; Software Testing Firms Called to Curb IoT Security Crisis

DENVER, March 20, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- 2018 was named the year of the IoT security crisis, which continues to roll over into 2019. Internet-connected devices increasingly leave business networks and individuals exposed to cybersecurity risks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, phishing, and ultimately – private data breaches.

While the lack of global IoT security guidelines contributes to this negative trend, users' low awareness is another risk factor. As estimated by Gemalto and Vanson Burne, 48% of surveyed companies are unable to identify if any of the IoT devices in their corporate network is being hacked. This alarming figure shows that users are unable to enforce effective security measures, shifting responsibility for their IoT device protection to hardware manufacturers and IoT app developers.

In the light of this enduring threat, Explority, a global technology research and advisory company, analyzed the current state of IoT security, looked at how software testing can address these issues, and ranked top 30 software testing vendors positioned to help their clients address the current IoT security crisis.
While the global IoT market is predicted to reach $520B by 2021 (Bain & Company), the adoption of IoT technologies is still hindered by security concerns. The OWASP Internet of Things Project lists at least 10 IoT vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors in order to hack into industrial control systems, smart homes, wearables, and more connected networks containing sensitive data.

While the global community is yet to come up with unified IoT security standards and certifications to counteract IoT cybersecurity issues, Explority Research has looked into the software testing potential to fill this gap.

Known as one of the integral components of software development lifecycle, software testing is the discipline that helps to preemptively address coding errors, bugs, and inconsistencies that have an adversary impact on software performance and security. When applied to IoT web applications, software testing has the potential to eradicate certain IoT vulnerabilities at the code level.

According to Explority's consultants, cybersecurity software testing vendors can be instrumental for the following:

• Identifying and fixing vulnerabilities and coding errors in IoT web applications before the latter are released to the market.
• Providing regular security updates so that the devices can be patched timely.
• Helping to adhere to such IoT cybersecurity guidelines as OWASP IoT Top 10, addressing the problems of "insecure network interfaces" and "insufficient privacy protection," among others.
• Helping manufacturers and distributors of IoT applications to ensure compliance with such regulations as The U.S. Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2017 and the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

In their ranking of top 20 software testing companies, Explority applied its proprietary methodology and 10-point score to analyze each contender's market presence, track record in the industry, relative focus on software testing, variety of domains served, past projects, and client feedback. The resulting list represents the strongest software testing vendors based on their industry recognition, quality and reliability of their services.

A1QA makes the top of the list as a long-standing software testing provider with a specialty in cybersecurity testing. Founded in 2003, the company has completed over 1,500 projects for the likes of SAP and adidas, among other clients. UTOR closes the ranking as a younger yet ambitious player in the software testing market.

The full list is the following:
1. A1QA
2. PQA Testing
3. QA Consultants
4. Indium Software
5. QAwerk
6. QualiTest
7. TestArmy
8. Fluid Attacks
9. UTOR
10. MeU Solutions
11. OnPath Testing
12. TestScenario
13. Pragmatic QA
14. BugRaptors
15. vTest
16. KiwiQA
17. ThinkSys
18. Testbytes
19. BairesQA
20. Acutest

"IoT keeps taking the lead in technology trends, yet it's easy to overlook grave cybersecurity threats associated with it. Hacks like the infamous Mirai botnet of 2016 can leave thousands of people exposed to private data breaches," says Explority's CMO David Field. "The protective steps need to be taken now, and we believe software testing companies across the world should take the upper hand in this movement toward more efficient data protection."

About Explority Research
Explority Research is an independent market research and consulting company founded with the mission to assess and communicate tech companies' competencies across multiple innovative domains. Explority serves as an unbiased advisor to businesses looking for reliable vendors of Information Technology services. The company's recent research publications in 2019 include Top Blockchain Development Companies.

SOURCE Explority

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