The “Internet of Things” (IoT) is becoming a growing topic of discussion both at and outside the workplace. It’s a philosophy that not only has the power to affect how we live but also how we work. But what exactly is the “Internet of Things”, how does it work, its importance, and how does it affect organizations? Read on to find out.
What is IoT?
The Internet of Things (IoT) can simply be described as a network of physical objects—”things”—that are embedded in sensors, applications, and other technologies for communicating and sharing data with other devices and systems over the Internet. IoT is a giant network of interconnected objects and entities – all of which gather and exchange data on how they are used and the world around them.
How does IOT work?
The IoT framework consists of sensors/devices that talk to the cloud through connectivity. Once the data is uploaded to the cloud, the software processes it and may then decide to perform an action, such as sending an alert or automatically adjusting the sensor/device without the need for the user. But if the user input is required, or if the user simply wants to check in on the system, the user interface will allow them to do so. The user’s actions or adjustments are then sent in the opposite direction via the system: from the user interface to the cloud, and back to the sensors or devices to make some changes.
Advantages and disadvantages of IoT
Some advantages of the internet of things are as follows:
- You can easily access data and information from anywhere on any device, in real-time.
- Better communication is possible across a network of integrated computers, rendering it more accessible and reducing inefficiencies.
- Transferring data packets over the connected network save time and resources.
- Automating tasks help increase the efficiency of business services and reduce the need for human interaction.
Some disadvantages of the Internet of things include the following:
- In today’s tech-driven environment, any computer that is used independently is linked through the internet. This raises the likelihood of leakage of data that could be significant. This is a significant downside to exchanging information since sensitive information cannot be encrypted and can potentially be compromised by third parties.
- Businesses may ultimately have to deal with millions of IoT devices and collecting and managing data from all these devices could really be challenging.
- With automation, the demand for human work can be significantly diminished. This would have a significant influence on employability. As we transition into the future of IoT, there will be a visible reduction in the recruiting process for professionals.
IoT standards and frameworks
IoT standards include the following:
- ZigBee is a low-power low-data wireless network used primarily in commercial environments. ZigBee is based on the standard 802.15.4 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The ZigBee Alliance has developed Dotdot, a universal IoT language that allows smart objects to operate securely on any network and to understand each other.
- Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP) is an open-source published specification for wireless asynchronous messaging. AMQP allows encrypted and interoperable communications between organizations and apps. The protocol is used for client-server communications and IoT system control.
- OneM2M is a machine-to-machine service layer that can be embedded in software and hardware for communicating computers. It has been set up to establish reusable standards to allow IoT applications to communicate across different vertical lines.
IoT frameworks include the following:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) IoT is an IoT cloud computing platform produced by Amazon. This framework is designed to make it easy for smart devices to connect to and interact effectively with the AWS cloud and other network devices.
- Microsoft’s Azure IoT Suite is a platform that consists of a series of services that allow users to connect and collect data from their IoT devices, as well as to perform a range of data operations, such as multidimensional processing, transformation and aggregation, and to visualize these operations in a business-friendly manner.
- Google’s Brillo/Weave allows IoT apps to be introduced efficiently. The framework consists of two main pillars: Brillo, an Android-based OS for the development of embedded low-power computers, and Weave, an IoT-based networking protocol that acts as a communication language between the system and the cloud.
IoT applications
There are several apps of IoT, ranging from consumer and organization IOT to manufacturing and industrial IoT.
The smart home is undoubtedly the most common IoT technology because it is the one that is most inexpensive and readily available to customers. From Amazon Echo to Nest Thermostat, there are hundreds of devices on the market that users can monitor using their voices to make their lives more interactive than ever before.
The use of wearables or sensors connected to patients enables physicians to monitor a patient’s condition outside the hospital and in real-time. By continuously monitoring certain metrics and automatic warnings of their vital signs, the Internet of Things helps to improve patient care and prevent severe complications in high-risk patients.
A significant amount of data on the soil state and stage can be obtained through the implementation of IoT sensors. Information such as soil moisture, acidity levels, the presence of certain nutrients, temperature, and many other chemical characteristics helps farmers control irrigation, improve water efficiency, specify the best time to start cultivating, and even to discover the presence of diseases in plants and soil.
IoT privacy issues
The Internet of Things links billions of computers to the Internet and requires the use of billions of data points, all of which must be protected. As a result of its extended attack surface, IoT protection and IoT privacy are cited as major concerns.
The Federal Trade Commission study “Internet of Things: Privacy and Protection in a Wired World” found that fewer than 10,000 households would produce 150 million discrete data points per day. This provides more entry points for hackers and makes confidential information vulnerable.
The study also found that businesses may use the collected data that customers voluntarily give to make decisions on jobs. For example, an insurance provider may collect information from you about your driving habits via a connected car when you calculate your insurance rate. The same could happen with health or life insurance with fitness trackers.
Conclusion
Discussions about the internet of things take place (and have been going on for many years all over the world as we strive to learn how this can affect our lives. We are still seeking to consider the many possibilities and problems that will emerge as more and more devices continue to join the IoT. Right now, the only thing we can do is to teach ourselves what IoT is and the possible effects that can be had on how we function and live.
