Top 10 IoT Network Monitoring Tools to Secure Your Devices

From antivirus to access control, find the top 10 IoT network monitoring tools to keep your smart home or business devices safe from cyber threats in the new year.

IoT network monitoring refers to the process of monitoring and managing the network infrastructure that supports Internet of Things (IoT) devices. IoT devices are physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet. These devices can range from smart home appliances and wearable devices to industrial machinery and infrastructure.

The importance of monitoring IoT devices cannot be overstated. With the proliferation of IoT devices in various industries, it has become crucial to ensure their proper functioning, security, and performance. IoT network monitoring allows organizations to proactively identify and address issues such as device malfunctions, security vulnerabilities, and network congestion, thereby ensuring the smooth operation of their IoT ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• IoT network monitoring is the process of monitoring and managing the devices connected to an IoT network.
• IoT network monitoring is important for device security as it helps detect and prevent cyber attacks.
• Criteria for selecting IoT network monitoring tools include scalability, ease of use, and compatibility with different devices and protocols.
• Top 5 IoT network monitoring tools are PRTG Network Monitor, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, Nagios XI, Zabbix, and ManageEngine OpManager.
• When choosing an IoT network monitoring tool, it is important to consider your specific needs and requirements.

The Importance of IoT Network Monitoring for Device Security

One of the primary reasons why IoT network monitoring is essential is for device security. IoT devices are often vulnerable to security breaches due to their interconnected nature and the vast amount of data they collect and transmit. These devices can be targeted by hackers who exploit security vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or control over them.

By implementing IoT network monitoring, organizations can detect and prevent security breaches before they occur. Monitoring tools can provide real-time visibility into the network traffic generated by IoT devices, allowing administrators to identify any suspicious or malicious activities. Additionally, these tools can monitor device behavior and detect anomalies that may indicate a security breach.

There have been numerous instances where security breaches could have been prevented with proper IoT network monitoring. For example, in 2016, the Mirai botnet attack exploited vulnerable IoT devices to launch a massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on major websites. If these devices had been monitored for abnormal behavior, the attack could have been detected and mitigated before it caused widespread disruption.

Criteria for Selecting IoT Network Monitoring Tools

When selecting an IoT network monitoring tool, there are several key criteria to consider. These criteria will help ensure that the chosen tool is capable of effectively monitoring and managing the organization's IoT devices.

Firstly, it is important to look for features that are specifically designed for monitoring IoT devices. These features may include real-time monitoring of device status and performance, the ability to track and analyze network traffic generated by IoT devices, and the ability to detect and respond to security threats.

Compatibility with different types of IoT devices is another crucial factor to consider. Since IoT devices can vary greatly in terms of their protocols, communication methods, and data formats, the monitoring tool should be able to support a wide range of devices and integrate seamlessly with their respective ecosystems.

Scalability and ease of use are also important considerations. The monitoring tool should be able to handle the growing number of IoT devices in the organization's network without compromising performance. Additionally, it should have a user-friendly interface that allows administrators to easily configure and manage the monitoring system.

Top 10 IoT Network Monitoring Tools: Overview and Comparison

PRTG Network Monitor

PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive network monitoring tool that offers specific features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time monitoring of device status, performance metrics, and network traffic generated by IoT devices. PRTG supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with various types of IoT devices.

Pricing for PRTG Network Monitor starts at $1,600 for 500 sensors, with additional sensors available for purchase. The tool offers a free trial version with limited sensor capacity.

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is a popular network monitoring tool that includes features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time visibility into device performance, network traffic, and security threats. SolarWinds supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with different types of IoT devices.

Pricing for SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor starts at $2,995 for up to 100 monitored devices, with additional device licenses available for purchase. The tool offers a free trial version with limited device capacity.

Nagios XI

Nagios XI is an open-source network monitoring tool that offers specific features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time monitoring of device status, performance metrics, and network traffic generated by IoT devices. Nagios XI supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with various types of IoT devices.

Pricing for Nagios XI starts at $1,995 for up to 100 monitored devices, with additional device licenses available for purchase. The tool offers a free trial version with limited device capacity.

Zabbix

Zabbix is an open-source network monitoring tool that includes features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time visibility into device performance, network traffic, and security threats. Zabbix supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with different types of IoT devices.

Pricing for Zabbix is based on the number of monitored devices and starts at $0.10 per device per month. The tool offers a free version with limited device capacity.

ManageEngine OpManager

ManageEngine OpManager is a comprehensive network monitoring tool that offers specific features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time monitoring of device status, performance metrics, and network traffic generated by IoT devices. OpManager supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with various types of IoT devices.

Pricing for ManageEngine OpManager starts at $595 for up to 25 monitored devices, with additional device licenses available for purchase. The tool offers a free trial version with limited device capacity.

PRTG Network Monitor

PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive network monitoring tool that offers specific features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time monitoring of device status, performance metrics, and network traffic generated by IoT devices. PRTG supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with various types of IoT devices.

One of the key features of PRTG Network Monitor is its customizable dashboards, which allow administrators to create personalized views of their IoT devices and their associated metrics. This makes it easy to monitor the health and performance of individual devices or groups of devices.

Another notable feature of PRTG Network Monitor is its alerting system, which can notify administrators via email, SMS, or push notifications when predefined thresholds are exceeded or when security threats are detected. This allows for timely response and remediation of any issues that may arise.

Pricing for PRTG Network Monitor starts at $1,600 for 500 sensors, with additional sensors available for purchase. The tool offers a free trial version with limited sensor capacity.

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is a popular network monitoring tool that includes features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time visibility into device performance, network traffic, and security threats. SolarWinds supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with different types of IoT devices.

One of the key features of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is its network mapping capabilities, which allow administrators to visualize the relationships between IoT devices and their associated infrastructure. This makes it easy to identify potential bottlenecks or points of failure in the network.

Another notable feature of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is its reporting capabilities, which allow administrators to generate detailed reports on device performance, network traffic, and security events. These reports can be used for troubleshooting, capacity planning, and compliance purposes.

Pricing for SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor starts at $2,995 for up to 100 monitored devices, with additional device licenses available for purchase. The tool offers a free trial version with limited device capacity.

Nagios XI

Nagios XI is an open-source network monitoring tool that offers specific features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time monitoring of device status, performance metrics, and network traffic generated by IoT devices. Nagios XI supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with various types of IoT devices.

One of the key features of Nagios XI is its event handling capabilities, which allow administrators to define automated actions that should be taken when specific events occur. This can include sending notifications, executing scripts, or triggering other actions based on predefined conditions.

Another notable feature of Nagios XI is its extensibility, which allows administrators to customize and extend the functionality of the tool through plugins and addons. This makes it possible to integrate Nagios XI with other systems or to add new features as needed.

Pricing for Nagios XI starts at $1,995 for up to 100 monitored devices, with additional device licenses available for purchase. The tool offers a free trial version with limited device capacity.

Zabbix

Zabbix is an open-source network monitoring tool that includes features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time visibility into device performance, network traffic, and security threats. Zabbix supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with different types of IoT devices.

One of the key features of Zabbix is its distributed monitoring capabilities, which allow administrators to deploy multiple Zabbix servers across different locations or networks. This enables centralized monitoring and management of IoT devices in geographically dispersed environments.

Another notable feature of Zabbix is its flexible notification system, which allows administrators to define custom notification methods and escalation chains based on predefined conditions. This ensures that the right people are notified at the right time when issues occur.

Pricing for Zabbix is based on the number of monitored devices and starts at $0.10 per device per month. The tool offers a free version with limited device capacity.

ManageEngine OpManager

ManageEngine OpManager is a comprehensive network monitoring tool that offers specific features for monitoring IoT devices. It provides real-time monitoring of device status, performance metrics, and network traffic generated by IoT devices. OpManager supports a wide range of protocols and communication methods, making it compatible with various types of IoT devices.

One of the key features of ManageEngine OpManager is its network discovery capabilities, which allow administrators to automatically discover and add IoT devices to the monitoring system. This saves time and effort in manually adding and configuring each device.

Another notable feature of ManageEngine OpManager is its root cause analysis capabilities, which allow administrators to identify the underlying causes of performance issues or security threats. This helps in troubleshooting and resolving issues more effectively.

Pricing for ManageEngine OpManager starts at $595 for up to 25 monitored devices, with additional device licenses available for purchase. The tool offers a free trial version with limited device capacity.

Choosing the Right IoT Network Monitoring Tool for Your Needs

In conclusion, IoT network monitoring is crucial for ensuring the security, performance, and proper functioning of IoT devices. By implementing an effective monitoring system, organizations can proactively detect and prevent security breaches, identify performance issues, and optimize their IoT ecosystem.

When selecting an IoT network monitoring tool, it is important to consider factors such as features specifically designed for monitoring IoT devices, compatibility with different types of devices, scalability, and ease of use. By carefully evaluating these criteria and comparing different tools, organizations can choose the right tool that meets their specific needs.

In this article, we have provided an overview and comparison of five top IoT network monitoring tools: PRTG Network Monitor, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, Nagios XI, Zabbix, and ManageEngine OpManager. Each tool offers unique features and benefits, as well as different pricing and plans. It is recommended to try out the free trial versions of these tools and evaluate them based on your organization's requirements before making a decision.

In conclusion, IoT network monitoring is a critical aspect of managing and securing IoT devices. By selecting the right monitoring tool, organizations can ensure the smooth operation of their IoT ecosystem and mitigate potential risks and issues.