Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)

School

Information Systems and Technology

Advisor

Gary Griffith

Abstract

The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology across society presents new and unique challenges for security experts in maintaining uninterrupted services across the technology spectrum. A botnet implemented over 490,000 IoT connected devices to cripple the Internet services for major companies in one recent IoT attack. Grounded in Roger’s diffusion of innovations theory, the purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple-case study was to explore implementation strategies used by some local campus IT managers in educational institutions in the United States to secure the IoT environment. The participants were 10 IT local campus IT managers within educational institutions across the Southeast portion of the United States who have implemented strategies to secure IoT devices. The data were collected by interviewing 10 IT managers and collecting documentation available to the public from 4 institutions. Four themes emerged after analysis using data triangulation: restricting IoT access to the network, network isolation to secure IoT devices from the network, adoption by leadership to secure IoT inside the network, and strong shared partnership with peer organizations through observation. The research will benefit IT professionals and organizations through enhanced security and the community providing a more enhanced learning experience for all involved locally through IoT adoption. A secure IoT environment may contribute to positive social change by increasing IoT adoption to better serve societal needs.

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