Analyzing Emerging Threats: IoT Security Challenges to Modern Network Infrastructure

Abstract

The pervasive integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology has radically expanded the attack surface of traditional computer networks, introducing a new frontier of security challenges. This paper conducts a systematic investigation into the computer network security issues emergent within IoT ecosystems. We begin by deconstructing the unique security vulnerabilities inherent in the IoT architecture, focusing on the resource-constrained nature of edge devices, the heterogeneity of communication protocols (e.g., ZigBee, LoRaWAN, MQTT), and the increased complexity of the network perimeter. The study identifies and analyzes critical threat vectors, including but not limited to: large-scale botnets formed by compromised IoT devices (e.g., Mirai), eavesdropping and data manipulation in wireless sensor networks, and vulnerabilities in cloud-based IoT platforms that serve as single points of failure. Moving beyond threat analysis, the paper proposes a multi-layered defense-in-depth security framework. This framework incorporates lightweight cryptographic protocols for device authentication, AI-driven anomaly detection systems for network traffic monitoring, and software-defined networking (SDN) strategies for dynamic perimeter control and threat isolation. Our analysis concludes that securing the IoT-augmented network requires a fundamental shift from traditional perimeter-based models to a holistic, data-centric, and adaptive security paradigm, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability across the entire data lifecycle from sensor to cloud.