What is an IoT device certificate?

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IoT (Internet of Things) devices are everywhere. From home appliances and security systems to autonomous farming equipment and wireless inventory tracking devices, the IoT powers our lives and our cities. Positive results include improved traffic management, increased safety, and reduced pollution. But where there’s an internet connection, there’s the potential for hacking.

So, what’s the best way to secure your IoT? It all starts with the basics. Double your passwords, use multi-factor authentication, update your software regularly, and of course, encrypt your connection when you go online. In this article, we’ll cover how to secure your devices with an IoT device certificate and keep your sensitive data out of hackers’ reach. Let’s dive right in!

Table of contents

What is an SSL certificate for IoT devices?
What are the benefits of IoT device certifications?
Who uses SSL certificates for IoT devices?
How to get an IoT device certificate?
How to properly manage IoT device certificates?
What is an SSL certificate for IoT devices?
An IoT device certificate is a type of digital certificate that mobile app development service verifies the identity of a device and secures communication between two devices using PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) . Device certificates provide strong encryption and data integrity throughout the lifecycle of a device. Simply put, IoT device certificates convert data into an obscure format - a random string of characters that cannot be deciphered without the corresponding private key. As a result, devices can identify other trusted devices and servers.




Is there a certification authority for IoT devices?
A device certificate is usually issued by an organization's internal certification authority, in other words, a private CA. In this case, the certificate is signed with the private key of the organization's root certificate (the primary certificate created to sign other certificates).

In contrast, a public CA is an independent third-party organization that issues commercial client certificates that are trusted by the public. Client certificates, also known as TLS/SSL certificates, authenticate users and encrypt communications on public networks, while device certificates authenticate electronic objects and only work on internal (private) networks.

What are the benefits of IoT device certifications?
When it comes to data security, device certificates solve a range of problems, from establishing digital identity to preventing unauthorized users from accessing and tampering with transmitted data. Best of all, device certificates are lightweight and cost-effective. Here are some of the benefits of IoT SSL certificates that make them a must-have for any organization using IoT devices.