How To Reduce Cyber Risks Across Connected Devices And Services

InnovationHow To Reduce Cyber Risks Across Connected Devices And ServicesByExpert Panel®,Forbes Councils Member.for Forbes Technology CouncilCOUNCIL POSTExpertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author. | Membership (fee-based)May 29, 2026, 01:15pm EDT gettyAs more devices, platforms and everyday services become connected, the potential attack surface for cybercriminals continues to grow. Smart home products, workplace tools, cloud platforms and AI-powered services can all create new entry points when they’re misconfigured, poorly secured or connected to other systems without enough oversight.For organizations and consumers alike, staying secure isn’t just about defending against sophisticated attacks; it’s also about recognizing the everyday risks that can build up across connected environments. Below, members of Forbes Technology Council discuss cyber risk areas that may be easy to overlook and share practical steps for reducing exposure.Verify Whether Security Controls Still WorkOne underestimated risk is assuming security controls stay operational. Agents fail silently, patches don’t deploy and configurations drift, even without an attack. As AI speeds up attacks, organizations need more than backups. They need continuous verification that critical controls are healthy and self-healing automation to restore them when they break. - Christy Wyatt, AbsoluteFind And Secure Shadow APIsThe most underestimated risk is shadow APIs connecting legacy systems to new AI agents. While we focus on device hardware, these interfaces often lack the same rigor as public endpoints. Implement automated API discovery and schema validation at the edge, treating internal connectivity with zero trust. Ensure that even a compromised device cannot pivot laterally through an unmonitored API. - Anil Pantangi, Capgemini America Inc.Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology exe...