What is IoT?

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are electronic devices that connect to a network but do not typically have a keyboard or screen to interact with. A popular, known smart device is the Amazon Alexa or Google Home. But IoT devices span much further than smart home assistants. Some examples that VTO has dealt with include smart televisions, refrigerators, pacemakers, lightbulbs, and a maritime satellite buoy.

IoT devices vary in their capacity to hold personal data, but as technology advances, so does the amount of data our everyday devices hold. In some situations, this can be beneficial for law enforcement to gain more details about a pertinent case. However, having multiple devices connected to a shared network can create vulnerabilities to the safety of the data stored and shared on those devices.

At VTO, we are invested in the thorough investigation of IoT devices for digital forensics purposes. We have previously shared a webinar looking at what types of data may be accessible from IoT devices, with special focus on the Ring doorbell.

Now, our collaboration with Oklahoma State University is taking us even deeper into the details of new IoT devices. We will share our findings soon. But first, we'll dive into what our research process looks like. Stay tuned!

The resources from this Department of Justice grant will be available to U.S. law enforcement, public safety officers and prosecutors.

If you are interested in learning more about our joint IoT research but do not fall into the categories of U.S. law enforcement, public safety officer, or prosecutor, please reach out to us.