The Internet of Things (IoT) has reached a significant milestone: It’s risky. With IoT devices transitioning from tech speculation to real-world application, companies and consumers alike recognize the potential for malicious use. Researchers have already demonstrated that network-enabled vehicles can be turned off mid-drive and medical devices hacked by third parties, often with minimal effort. The result? IoT security is quickly going mainstream.

Now, a group of organizations including BT, Vodafone, Imagination Technologies and Royal Holloway University of London have joined forces to create the Internet of Things Security Foundation (IoTSF). According to SecurityWeek, this is a collaborative effort aimed at “promoting excellence in IT security.” Is this the first step toward safeguarding a connected future?

Ticktock?

As noted by Network World, IoT security is quickly becoming mainstream as devices transition from general-purpose computers to specific-use technologies, often leveraging unique ways of connecting and interacting with other network entities. In fact, research firm Gartner said that securing the IoT is about to get much more complicated. It predicted that by the end of 2017, one-fifth of all businesses will deploy some type of IoT-related defense.

And according to SecureIDNews, the sheer number of connected devices — set to reach 4.9 billion this year — is a kind of security “time bomb” just waiting to explode. Jeremy Brecher of the Security Industry Association (SIA) said that companies can either try to anticipate emerging security needs, which are driven in large measure by the cloud and mobile technologies, or wait for security problems to show up on their doorstep. The better choice is obvious, but it isn’t always straightforward.

Let’s Talk IoT Security

Making things easier is what drives the IoTSF. IoTSF Director John Moor said, “The formation of the Internet of Things Security Foundation has been through a rigorous process to make sure it is fit for purpose. With so many concerns and a new complexity of security in IoT, it is important that we now start the necessary work in earnest to address known, yet not always addressed, and emerging vulnerabilities.”

It’s worth noting that the IoTSF is a technology-neutral nonprofit, not a standards-creation body. Instead, the organization aims to collaborate with current standards to offer security assistance to tech providers, system adopters and end users.

At its heart, the IoTSF has a simple vision: cross-company collaboration to help secure IoT technologies. As noted by Fortune, for example, there are numerous ways to compromise Internet-connected vehicles, from expected smartphone app vulnerabilities to keyless entry systems or even tire pressure monitoring software. In many cases, however, manufacturers are unaware of potential attack vectors, or they don’t have the tech resources necessary to effectively monitor and secure all endpoints. Initiatives like the IoTSF hope to eliminate this type of problem by providing a unified communication platform where companies can share experiences and collectively avoid common mistakes.

As IoT technologies go mainstream, the result is significantly increased attack surface. Safeguarding networks and devices is more than any company can handle alone. The IoTSF hopes collaboration can increase corporate confidence and reduce security confusion.