The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the way that businesses approach technology solutions, but its biggest impact might be in the consumer environment. With so many new devices connecting to the Internet and communicating with each other, it can be difficult to slap a label on the Internet of Things and associate it with the countless devices being created every day.
You can think of the Internet of Things as a group of mostly consumer-related devices that wouldn’t ordinarily have Internet access, which have been granted connectivity and the ability to communicate with one-another. Gartner predicts that there will be approximately 26 billion IoT devices by 2020, with other aggregates putting the figure as high as 30 billion. In many cases, these devices are small and relatively inconsequential, like fitness-related wearable devices designed to monitor someone’s heart rate or physical progress.
Other, more complicated Internet of Things devices could range from small household appliances, to computerized motor vehicles. Items like thermostats and refrigerators are commonly seen connecting to the Internet so that they can be controlled or monitored through a connected smartphone app, regardless of where the user is. Even in various industries, the Internet of Things is a tool that helps keep operations moving forward without a hitch. Take, for instance, these examples of how the IoT has been applied to specific industries:
Security Issues and Discrepancies
With so much connectivity, security is a major issue and something to be considered when using any IoT device. Indeed, IoT devices present a unique challenge in keeping your network as free of them as possible, or at least minimizing your data’s risk of being accessed by one of them. Since these devices communicate with each other, if even one of them is compromised, you could be looking at a potential data breach. This is why it’s so important to both enforce a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy in the workplace, as well as to manage the permissions and restrictions of devices on your network.
If your business is having trouble managing the threat that the Internet of Things presents, Preferred can help your organization sharpen its focus on them. To learn more, give us a call at 708-781-7110.
With Christmas a couple of days away, most of us are either wrapping up our shopping or wrapping up the presents we’ve already purchased. If you are looking for a last-minute gift to give the tech lover in your life, here are three that we found really cool.
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