How To Keep IoT From Becoming An IoTrash
Roberts, Wysopal, Doctorow, Wheeler, Giese
DEF CON 32 Main Stage · Day 1 · Main Stage
This DEF CON 32 panel, "Bricked and Abandoned: How to Keep the IoT From Becoming an Internet of Trash," delves into the critical and growing problem of **abandonware** and **end-of-life (EOL) devices** within the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. Moderated by Paul Roberts of The Security Ledger and ReversingLabs, with a distinguished panel including Chris Wysopal (Veracode), Tara Wheeler (Red Queen Dynamics), and Corey Doctorow (author and activist), the discussion highlights the stark disparity between the physical lifespan of smart hardware and the significantly shorter support cycles for their embedded software. The panel argues that this disconnect transforms once-useful devices into insecure, unrepairable, and ultimately disposable "Internet of Trash," posing significant security, economic, and environmental challenges.
AI review
This panel dissects the critical problem of IoT abandonware, highlighting the stark disconnect between hardware longevity and ephemeral software support. It effectively frames this as a systemic issue driven by outdated IP laws and market consolidation, rather than just a consumer inconvenience. The discussion provides valuable insights into the limitations of current right-to-repair efforts and outlines the escalating security, economic, and environmental risks, offering a compelling call for legislative and industry-wide change.