Why yesterday’s IoT security won’t survive tomorrow’s threats
Security used to be an IT problem. In 2025, it’s a board-level responsibility. For companies running IoT at scale, from energy grids and EV charging to logistics and industrial automation, the stakes are no longer just technical. Weak connectivity security can now trigger regulatory fines, reputational fallout, and even supply chain disruption.
NIS2 and beyond: the new reality
Regulations like NIS2 in Europe are reshaping how businesses must think about IoT security. The message is clear: protecting connected infrastructure isn’t optional, and non-compliance has consequences.
This shift is forcing executives to ask harder questions:
- Do we know exactly where our IoT data travels?
- Can we prove to auditors that every device is secured?
- Would our current defences withstand today’s threat landscape?
For many organisations, the uncomfortable answer is no.
Legacy security can’t keep up
The problem is that the tools many companies still rely on - VPNs, APNs, and patchwork controls - were never built for this regulatory environment. They create complexity, reduce visibility, and leave gaps attackers and auditors alike will find.
In a world of distributed devices, cross-border operations, and stricter compliance checks, yesterday’s models no longer offer the protection enterprises need.
The cost of waiting
The longer organisations delay addressing these gaps, the higher the risks become:
- Financial penalties for non-compliance.
- Operational downtime from increasingly targeted attacks.
- Reputational damage if customers or partners lose trust.
In short: the compliance clock is ticking, and doing nothing is not an option.
So what comes next?
Our new guide, Rethink IoT security with Zero Trust, shows how to build security in the connectivity layer, so every device is verified, every connection is policy-checked, and traffic avoids the public internet by design. Download the guide via the banner below:
About the author
IXT writes about IoT connectivity because we build it. We’re a Full-MVNO with our own core network and a CMP we designed in-house, so we see what works at scale and what doesn’t. Our team has decades of experience in M2M/IoT, from network engineering to enterprise rollouts, so the guidance we share is practical, vendor-agnostic and field-tested. Connect, secure and manage devices with confidence using our IoT Connectivity.
IXT – Connected. Secure. Everywhere.
FAQ: Building Future-Ready IoT Security
Q: Why are traditional IoT security models no longer enough?
A: Legacy security depends on static perimeters and shared VPNs. As devices move between networks and clouds, these models expose every connection to wider attack surfaces. Zero Trust replaces implicit trust with per-session verification, limiting exposure.
Q: What does Zero Trust change for IoT connectivity?
A: Instead of trusting any device on the network, Zero Trust verifies every connection, applies least-privilege access, and isolates traffic at the application level. This makes it far harder for attackers to move laterally between devices or systems.
Q: How does IXT implement Zero Trust in practice?
A: IXT embeds Zero Trust policies into connectivity itself. Using SecureNet, all IoT traffic stays off the public internet through private APN/DNN, dual VPN tunnels, and per-session policy enforcement, no separate VPN setup needed.
Q: How can companies transition to a Zero Trust model without downtime?
A: Start by connecting existing devices through IXT’s Secure SIM and SecureNet. Then use the Connectivity Management Platform (CMP) to monitor traffic, apply policies, and scale securely across networks and regions.
