What began as a simple experiment by a software engineer trying to make his robot vacuum work with a PlayStation controller quickly exposed a major security flaw.
As reported in The Guardian and other tech outlets his tinkering unintentionally granted him access to 7,000 internet-connected vacuums across multiple countries.
Using an AI coding assistant to understand how his own device communicated with its backend servers, he discovered that the cloud platform wasn’t properly validating authentication tokens. A single token intended for his device granted full control over thousands of others.
That accidental access let him view live camera feeds, microphone audio, floor plans, and device status data from users in dozens of countries essentially turning a fleet of consumer-grade appliances into a massive, unprotected sensor network.
It’s a headline that sounds almost comical at first glance. But beneath the quirky story lies a serious point: When IoT devices and cloud platforms aren’t designed with security at the core, even everyday household tech can become an unexpected entry point for attackers.
And if something as trivial as a smart vacuum can be compromised at scale, the risks posed to business-critical IoT systems from cameras and sensors to industrial controls and building automation, are exponentially greater.
Why This Matters for Businesses
Today’s organisations rely heavily on connected devices and “smart” systems, often without full visibility of how they behave or what data they process. In many cases, businesses simply don’t know:
- What data IoT devices collect
- How and where they transmit it
- Whether critical patches have been applied
- Who has access to device controls or cloud dashboards
As the incident shows, a single weak link, whether in a cloud API, device firmware, or configuration can give attackers unintended access.
This closely aligns with our November insight on IoT vulnerabilities at home, where we highlighted how unsecured devices can reveal far more than users expect.
The Growing Cyber Risk of IoT in Business
IoT security is becoming a major concern across sectors including manufacturing, education, professional services and critical infrastructure.
Key risks include:
- Unencrypted communication between devices and cloud platforms
- Default or weak credentials left unchanged
- Lack of ongoing firmware updates
- Shadow IoT, devices installed without IT oversight
- Insecure remote access for support or maintenance
As businesses accelerate their use of smart devices, the attack surface grows and so does the need for structured, proactive cyber security.
What Organisations Should Be Doing Right Now
Incidents like the robot vacuum hack highlight the importance of tightening IoT security across the entire network. Here’s what we recommend:
1. Enforce strong device configuration and access controls
Disable unused functions, remove default credentials, and apply least-privilege access.
2. Segment IoT and OT equipment from core business systems
Prevent lateral movement by separating operational devices from corporate networks.
3. Carry out regular security reviews and patching
Outdated firmware is one of the most common IoT vulnerabilities.
4. Gain visibility of every connected device
Know what’s on your network, who installed it, and how it behaves.
5. Monitor for anomalies and unusual network activity
Early detection dramatically reduces the impact of potential breaches.
IoT adoption isn’t slowing down, but with the right cyber foundations, the risks can be controlled.
Concerned About Your Own IoT or Network Security?
If this incident has made you rethink how secure your environment really is, our team can help.
Get in touch for a quick, no-obligation chat about your IT and cybersecurity.
