Dive Brief:

• The so-called Internet of Things (IoT) will complicate cybersecurity efforts, according to Booz Allen consultants. 
• While IoT is still in its infancy, the percentage of data breaches exposing financial information doubled from 18% in 2013 to 36% in 2014. 
• The company suggests company have an "active defense" strategy that uses real-time intelligence and threat assessments data to discover problems as they emerge.

Dive Insight:

The Internet of Things (IoT) promises to expose all kinds of connected devices inside corporate firewalls to malware and security threats, according to Booz Allen. To ensure seamless, secure operations, companies will need to extend their cybersecurity efforts to every “thing” connected to their IT infrastructure, including mobile devices.

As more “smart” systems connect to the IoT, firms will must embed cybersecurity protections to prevent data breaches and other compromises, Booz Allen says, and cybersecurity will become a business-critical priority. “When it comes to data security, the fundamentals have changed,” Bill Stewart, Booz Allen’s executive vice president, said in a release.