14/11/2025
The explosion of IoT devices and emerging 6G networks is creating an unprecedented cybersecurity challenge, heightening global awareness of IoT security risks. Today’s global IoT deployments are already huge: Estimates range in the tens of billions of connected devices, with projections showing a dramatic increase in the coming years. For example, one analysis notes about 20 billion IoT gadgets in use today and forecasts 50–100 billion by 2030, eventually scaling toward one trillion devices around 2035–2040.
In short, the “Internet of Things” was just the beginning. Tomorrow’s 6G wireless networks and new satellite constellations will link billions more endpoints, from sensors and actuators to vehicles and industrial machines, pushing hyperconnectivity to unimaginable levels.
This Isn’t Science Fiction
Consider a plausible scenario: An attacker breaks into a smart-building control network and toggles HVAC, lighting, or elevator systems. The result could be a city-wide meltdown or safety crisis, all triggered by the internet. Likewise, in a factory, hackers could issue malicious commands to robotics or machinery via IoT links, halting production or causing physical damage.
In effect, every new connection is a new attack vector. As Getronics warns clients, a single compromised thermostat or factory sensor could cascade into a major incident. These examples underscore why we say every connection carries a responsibility to enforce security.
What is Hyperconnectivity?
“Hyperconnectivity” isn’t just marketing jargon; it describes a world where virtually all equipment and infrastructure are networked. It’s being driven by three converging forces: Pervasive 5G/6G mobile networks, an explosion of IoT devices, and the rise of non-terrestrial networks (for example, software-defined satellites providing internet coverage everywhere).
Together, they create a web of connections that reaches into every corner of business and society. In practical terms, hyperconnectivity means new device classes and new attack surfaces.
- Modern cars are essentially computers on wheels, full of sensors, software, and wireless links for convenience and safety. Unfortunately, that makes them cyber targets, too. Researchers recently found remote exploits in vehicles (e.g., Kia and Subaru models) that could let hackers gain control. The stakes are high: One report estimates the automotive sector has endured $22.5 billion in cyberattack costs, mostly from data breaches, downtime, and ransomware.
- Industrial sites now use IoT sensors on machinery, RFID tags on components, and cloud-based monitoring for efficiency. But unlike corporate IT, these operational technologies were not built for security. Many control systems lack basic safeguards. As one industry expert notes, “industrial equipment often lacks basic security features…leaving [these systems] highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks ranging from ransomware and denial-of-service to sabotage.”
- Smart cities and infrastructure, including traffic signals, public transit networks, utility grids, and even public Wi-Fi, are all joining the IoT mix. Each networked traffic camera or smart meter can be a conduit for attack. Yet, many of these deployments suffer from poor security or patching. For example, interconnected building systems (HVAC, elevators, lighting) have known weak points. In a worst case, hacking a subway’s signaling system or a city’s water pump could paralyze a metropolis.
Hyperconnectivity thus brings persistent security gaps. Studies show that as more devices go online, most are still shipped without strong defenses. A McKinsey survey found that users are far from confident that their IoT devices are secure.
Each “smart” gadget – whether a consumer IoT gadget or an industrial sensor – is a potential entry point for attackers. And with 6G promising to connect up to 10 million devices per square kilometer (10× the density of 5G), the scale of insecure endpoints could explode unless security improves.
Concrete Threats and Real Examples
We’re already seeing real attacks that exploit hyperconnectivity. Key examples include:
Supply Chain Compromises
Modern supply chains often rely on complex, multi-vendor IoT ecosystems. Malicious actors have increasingly infiltrated trusted suppliers or firmware updates to deliver attacks. ENISA reports that supply-chain attacks quadrupled in frequency from 2020 to 2021, and they remain a top concern. In practice, this means a tainted component or compromised device update can give attackers a backdoor into thousands of networks simultaneously.
Ransomware via Edge Devices
Ransomware gangs are infiltrating connected equipment at the network edge. For example, in 2022, a global automotive parts supplier was hit by ransomware that shut down multiple production lines, causing millions in lost revenue. Similar attacks have struck logistics hubs and processing plants. Often, the infection vector is an IoT appliance (like a connected door controller or a wireless sensor) that propagates ransomware into critical operational technology systems.
Zero-Day Exploits in Legacy Systems
Many industrial control and building automation products were deployed years ago and aren’t regularly patched. New “zero-day” vulnerabilities in these older systems can go unmitigated for long periods. For instance, flaws in HVAC controllers or PLCs (programmable logic controllers) discovered in 2024–2025 have shown how an unknown bug can let an attacker gain remote control of physical processes. Such zero-days in operational technology components can remain unaddressed in small firms for months, giving hackers a wide window.
IoT Malware Surge
On the broader internet, attacks against IoT devices are spiking. Cybersecurity reports find IoT malware incidents jumped 37% in the first half of 2023 alone, reflecting tens of millions of attempts to commandeer cameras, routers, or sensors. Botnets built from thousands of weak IoT gadgets have already powered massive DDoS attacks. And as IoT proliferates, each unsecured thermostat, security camera, or medical monitor could become the next botnet seed.
Defence Mechanisms — What Matters Now
As attack surfaces explode, new defence strategies are mandatory. A multilayered approach is key: securing devices at the edge, continuously monitoring networks, and enforcing strict access controls. In practice, this means hardening the edge: Ensuring that each IoT device and control system has built-in security.
For example, industrial sensors and controllers must use strong encryption and authentication at all communication layers. Data should be protected in transit (VPNs, TLS, etc.), and devices should require unique credentials or certificates. Equally, organizations must employ AI-driven detection and response to spot breaches early. Modern security operations deploy Network Detection & Response (NDR) platforms that continuously watch for anomalies such as unusual traffic patterns, lateral scans, or strange device behavior, and trigger rapid containment. Studies show that AI-based systems can automatically tag and analyze massive IoT data streams, quickly surfacing “unusual or suspicious behavior” indicative of an attack.
Finally, a zero-trust architecture is critical: by default, no device or user is trusted. Every connection is verified, and least-privilege access controls and micro-segmentation are enforced. This way, even if one sensor or user account is breached, the attacker’s movement through the network is severely limited.
- Edge Hardening — Lock down devices at the source. Update firmware, disable unused ports, and embed security by design. Use hardware root-of-trust and ensure all IoT endpoints require secure boot and encrypted communications.
- Continuous NDR — Deploy network monitoring with AI/ML to spot and stop attacks in real time. For example, an NDR system can detect sudden waves of commands to connected inverters or unusually large data flows, then automatically quarantine affected segments.
- Zero-Trust and Microsegmentation — Treat each device or zone as untrusted by default. Require authentication for every request and segment networks so breaches are contained. For instance, the HVAC network should never have open access to financial systems; each network zone has its own access policies.
In short, automate as much as possible, but combine it with expert oversight. AI-powered tools are now essential for parsing IoT traffic volumes, but they work best when paired with skilled security analysts who understand industrial contexts.
How Getronics Defends What Others Miss
Getronics has long worked with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and industrial clients: Exactly the organizations most exposed to hyperconnectivity risks. We understand that these businesses often run hybrid IT/OT systems and legacy equipment. Our approach is to bridge those worlds, integrating cloud services with on-premises and edge infrastructure under one security framework.
We offer end-to-end solutions tailored for hyperconnected environments. For example, our 24×7 global SOC (Security Operations Centre) combines advanced AI/automation platforms with human threat hunters. This means we can monitor both traditional IT networks and exotic IoT/OT devices around the clock.
Our track record speaks for itself: Getronics has deployed tens of thousands of network and security devices for clients worldwide. We specialize in helping companies where an outage is not just inconvenient but can be dangerous — smart factories, logistics networks, smart buildings, and more. We use AI-powered detection (from leading partners) and automate threat intelligence (dark web monitoring, vulnerability management, etc.), all orchestrated by experienced analysts.
In this way, we deliver the kind of preventative, proactive cybersecurity needed for hyperconnected operations.
Every New Connection Is a New Responsibility — Start Securing Yours
The era of “set-and-forget” security is over. As IoT, 6G, and satellite links weave our world ever tightly together, every new connection is a new responsibility. Make it secure. Organizations must act now to harden the edge, monitor networks continuously, and assume zero trust. The time to fortify your systems is today, not after the first breach.
Getronics stands ready to partner with you. Whether you’re upgrading a factory floor, building a smart city project, or rolling out company-wide IoT, our experts can help you architect a resilient security posture. Contact Getronics to assess your hyperconnected landscape and build defenses that match this new reality. Together, we can turn hyperconnectivity from a vulnerability into a strategic advantage.
