Understanding the Threat of IoT Device Cloning and Cryptographic Key Theft

IoT device cloning occurs when attackers capture real devices, extract cryptographic keys or identifiers, and use them to build duplicates that appear legitimate to the cloud service.

Once deployed, these clones can manipulate data, spy on communications, or act as backdoors for larger attacks.

The risk applies to all IoT protocols and solutions, since any system that relies on devices providing their credentials to the cloud service can be compromised if those secrets are stolen.