Cloudflare plans to extend security to the Internet of Things (IoT) with Orbit-- a service allowing IoT vendors to protect devices from attacks and deploy patches more quickly.
As the company puts it, more IoT devices are becoming victims in DDoS attacks. For instance, one can recall the Mirai botnet hijacking webcams earlier least year. This points out a need for a service similar to the Cloudflare delivery network, only for the various connected devices making the IoT.
Orbit sits one layer before the device and acts as a security shield, protecting against exploits even if the device runs on an outdated software. Manufacturers can force devices to connect solely through the Cloudflare network, and in turn Cloudflare blocks exploits or prompts device owners for further authentication of attacks are suspected.
Security options range from IP verification up to full cryptographic connection signing, and the company does not keep datalogs. In the meantime the Cloudflare team ships code on a daily base, adding new firewall rules to act as a buffer before device manufacturers patch exploits out.
Orbit will be available as a standalone product IoT companies can use without paying for other Cloudflare services. It is launching with 25 IoT businesses, with at least one big name in the shape of Qualcomm. Other companies include smart lock maker Lockitron and industrial control specialist Swift Sensors.