IoT Remote Access: Accessing IoT devices for SSH

A key advantage of the Internet of Things (IoT) is its ability to connect remote devices in one network and enable seamless communication between them. Given this, these devices can be located at a huge distance from each other and their users. In such a situation, managing and updating devices can become a real challenge. And here is when IoT remote access joins the game.

One of the most trusted methods for enabling this kind of access is SSH. In this post, we will explore the role of SSH remote IoT management and explain why remote access matters for businesses of all sizes.

IoT device remote monitoring refers to the ability to observe, manage, and interact with IoT devices from a distance using internet connectivity. It allows administrators and operators to oversee the performance and status of smart devices in real time, without the need to be physically near them. 

How it works: 

• IoT devices are typically part of an interconnected ecosystem of sensors, actuators, gateways, etc. They work together to perform tasks or collect data.
• These devices transmit data to a central platform, where it is stored and processed.
• An administrator can access a dashboard or mobile app to check the status of each device from a centralized digital control center.
• In addition, from this control center, the administrator can also change settings remotely, address malfunctions, log activity for compliance, etc.

Remote access to IoT devices is crucial for many factors. It enables real-time monitoring, control, and protection of connected devices across diverse domains. Today, it is applied to various IoT environments, including, but not limited to, office buildings, factories, vehicles, and public infrastructure.
IoT implementations continue to scale globally. Amid this expansion, remote access becomes the foundation for maintaining operational efficiency in such systems.
Apart from this, the growing adoption leads to increased IoT security risks due to the rising number of access points that hackers can exploit. But remote access can become a strong defense tool.
Thanks to the visibility ensured by remote access, it is possible to identify and address suspicious activities before any damage is done. Moreover, admins can continuously track who interacts with devices, how data is moved, and what actions are taken. All this is crucial for the consistent and safe functioning of the systems.

With remote access, it doesn’t matter where connected devices are located. Even complex device ecosystems can be managed efficiently and without serious financial investments each time any new configurations are required. Let’s take a closer look at the perks of IoT remote connections.

• Real-time visibility. Users can check what happens to their devices at any time, from anywhere. Real-time insights into device performance, environmental conditions, and system health can be a good foundation for valuable strategic decisions.
• Great flexibility and scalability. Without setup at each site, it is much easier to add new devices or systems to your network. Therefore, remote access is a good option for dynamic environments like smart cities, industrial IoT, or remote healthcare.
• Cost and time savings. Thanks to centralized control, technicians don’t need to travel to a location just to check a device’s status. It can be done much faster, just with a couple of clicks. Apart from this, quick remote troubleshooting ensures that devices get back online faster.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery. When you can monitor IoT devices remotely, you can continue doing it even during travel restrictions or natural disasters. Besides that, this approach to working with IT systems can ensure backups when needed and send instant notifications in the case of tech issues.
• Enhanced security and compliance. Solutions for IoT remote access help track who accessed what and when. This data is important for audits and compliance. You can more easily provide access to device activity or settings for inspections or reviews. Moreover, you can grant or revoke device access permissions without physical presence.

SSH IoT access is one of the most popular ways to manage connected devices in a remote format.

SSH (Secure Shell) is a network protocol used to securely access and manage devices over an unsecured network (the internet is a good example of such a network). Very often, it is applied to interact with Linux-based devices, like Raspberry Pi, smart cameras and sensors, as well as industrial IoT gateways. Apart from this, by using SSH, developers can also ensure access to many kinds of custom IoT devices running on different operating systems.

The list of key SSH features includes:

• End-to-end encryption (your data is kept private and secure during transmission);
• Authentication (users are verified with passwords, SSH keys, or both);
• Remote command execution;
• Secure file transfer.

When you are using SSH to access your IoT devices remotely, the following steps take place:

• You need to initiate a connection to the server.
• The server authenticates you with the help of the set credentials (passwords or public keys).
• The protocol establishes an encrypted session based on the asymmetric and symmetric encryption principles.
• You can gain access to the required device, log in to it, transfer files, monitor its activity, update, or configure it.

Benefits of using SSH for remote access to IoT devices:

• Secure access. The protocol encrypts communication and protects it from any unauthorized interference.
• Full control. Users can get full access to the device’s shell. As a result, you can leverage advanced control over its operations.
• Automation support. It’s possible to run scripts, schedule remote updates, and perform automated diagnostics without physical access to the device.
• Resource-efficiency. SSH uses minimal system resources. That’s why it is well-suited for devices with limited processing power and/or memory.

Using SSH to manage IoT devices remotely is efficient and powerful. But to enjoy all the benefits of SSH IoT device management, you need to handle it properly. Without the right measures in place, your devices can become vulnerable to unauthorized access and attacks. 

Based on our practical experience, we have prepared a list of tips that will help you secure your IoT environment when using SSH IoT access.

Change the default SSH port

The standard SSH port is widely known. That’s the reason why many attackers target it. If you change it, you will reduce the probability of automated attacks on your devices.

Apply SSH key authentication

Using traditional passwords alone is risky. SSH keys are much harder to compromise than passwords. As a result, they are a more secure method of authentication. 

Disable root access

Root access is the highest level of administrative control. The root user has unrestricted access to all files, settings, and commands on the IoT device. This also includes the permission to install or remove software, modify system configurations, and delete critical files.

Allowing direct access to the root account is a practice that should be avoided. It increases the risk of critical changes or exploitation. It will be much safer to log in with a regular user account and provide extra rights only when they are highly necessary.

Limit user permissions

There is absolutely no need to provide all users with all permissions for remote SSH IoT device management. We recommend you give the minimum access required for each user. This helps prevent accidental changes and limits the impact if a user account is compromised.

Restrict SSH IoT device access by IP address

It’s crucial to limit SSH IoT access to known and trusted IP addresses. This will reduce the chance of unauthorized connections from unknown sources.

Regularly monitor access logs

Continuous tracking of access logs plays a crucial role in detecting suspicious login attempts or unusual activity. By conducting regular monitoring, you will be able to detect potential security issues as soon as possible.

Don’t ignore the necessity to update software and firmware

As a rule, updates include security patches that help fix known vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is vital to keep both your SSH software and IoT device firmware up-to-date to maintain strong security.

Use firewalls and network rules

Firewalls and network restrictions ensure an extra layer of control. They allow only approved connections to reach your IoT devices using SSH.

Introduce two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication strengthens user account protection as it requires a second verification step during login. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your IoT devices.

Use SSH tunneling to secure communications

SSH tunneling provides a secure way to transmit data between local and remote systems. It ensures the creation of an encrypted tunnel through which network traffic can safely travel. With SSH tunneling, users can securely access remote networks and devices using a protected port.

There are three main types of SSH tunneling. Each of them serves different purposes:

• Local port forwarding redirects traffic from a local machine to a remote server.
• Remote port forwarding allows a remote server to forward traffic to a local machine.
• Dynamic port forwarding functions like a proxy server. It routes traffic from multiple ports through a single secure connection.

IoT deployments grow. Managing SSH access at scale across hundreds of devices can become complex and risky. To minimize potential issues, users need to have advanced tools that will facilitate the organization of SSH access.

Let us mention the most reliable options that are widely used today.

OpenSSH

It is one of the most popular tools of this kind at the moment. It is open-source and supports key-based authentication, configuration management, and automation.

It can be an excellent choice for small and medium-sized IoT networks, as well as teams that have resources for manual configuration.

Teleport SSH

Teleport is known as a modern access platform for SSH and Kubernetes.

It offers secure, auditable SSH access, as well as session recording, identity-based access controls, and role-based permissions.

It is typically chosen by organizations striving for high compliance and visibility across distributed systems.

Dropbear SSH

This lightweight SSH software package is built with low-resource environments in mind. It offers all essential SSH functionality. But at the same time, it uses minimal memory and processing power.

Very often, it is chosen for those Scenarios where OpenSSH is too heavy.

Remote access to IoT devices has already become a must for many organizations. One of the most common methods to ensure it today is using SSH. However, like any other technology, SSH must be implemented thoughtfully.

With the growing complexity of device networks, the implementation of best practices and the use of the right tools are essential to protect systems and data. Even if you don’t need to oversee an entire connected infrastructure and just need to manage a couple of edge devices, investing in SSH access is highly desired. By doing this, you will leverage the stability and safety of your IoT system.

If you have plans to build a secure IoT solution or want to find out how to get secure access to remote devices, at Cogniteq, we can help you. Our team specializes in developing scalable IoT solutions and will be able to join your project at any stage of its realization. Don’t hesitate to contact us.