What is the Internet of Things (IoT)

Since the coining of the term in 1999, the Internet of Things (IoT) What is the Internet of Things (IoT)  has transformed from a mere vision to a palpable reality. This can be attributed to the extensive use of the Internet Protocol (IP), the rise of ubiquitous computing, and the continued advancement of data analytics, among other drivers of development. By 2020, it is estimated that there will be 20.4 billion devices connected to the IoT. Despite its continuing expansion, however, the IoT remains, to some degree, an obscure concept, something that’s often referred to in abstract terms even as it provides manifest benefits.

• The IoT can be described as an extension of the Internet and other network connections to different sensors and devices—or “things”—affording even simple objects, such as lightbulbs, locks, and vents, a higher degree of computing and analytical capabilities.
• Interoperability is one of the key aspects of the IoT that contributes to its growing popularity. Connected or “smart” devices—as “things” in the IoT are often called—can gather and share data from their environments with other devices and networks. By analyzing and processing the data, devices can perform their functions with little or no need for human interaction.
• Given the ever-increasing number of connected devices, the IoT continues its path of evolution, adding different layers to the data that is already being shared and processed and giving rise to sophisticated algorithms that result in improved levels of automation. Because of the variety of “things” that can be connected to it, the IoT has enabled diverse applications for individual users and entire industries alike.

How does the IoT work

The “things” that make up the IoT can be anything from wearable fitness trackers to autonomous vehicles. No matter what function they serve for users, these devices must have the following components for them to operate properly as part of their respective IoT systems. Sensors. Data is first collected from the environment for the IoT system to begin processing. Sensors in equipment that can measure observable events or changes in the atmosphere collect it. The kind of data being measured by the device depends on its function: It can be a person’s pulse in the case of a fitness tracker or the distance of the nearest object in that of an autonomous vehicle.

Connection and identificationThe data must be communicated from the device to the rest of the IoT system, be it to a computer or another device. For this communication to have any meaning, a device must have a unique, identifiable presence on the Internet, accomplished through its IP address. Actuators. Most IoT devices are capable of performing their primary functions without physical interaction with their users. They should be able to take action based on data from their sensors and the subsequent feedback from the network. A smart lightbulb, for example, can turn on upon the command of its user, even when the user is miles away. In the same manner, a valve in a smart factory can automatically open or close according to data gathered by its sensors along the production line.

Even though the devices are usually built with automation in mind, other technologies must be in place for IoT systems to work. The following components complete the links of how IoT systems process data.

• IoT gateway. The IoT gateway acts as a bridge for the data of different devices to reach the cloud. It also helps translate the various protocols of the myriad IoT devices into one standard protocol and filter out unnecessary data gathered by the devices.
• The cloud. The cloud is where all the data from the different devices is gathered and where software can reach this data for processing. Because most of the data processing happens in the cloud, it lessens the burden on individual devices.
• User interface. The user interface conveys to the users the data that the devices have gathered and enables the users to issue the necessary commands for the devices to carry out.
• The Internet Architecture Board released a guiding document that outlines the four communication channels used by the IoT. The four models also demonstrate how the connectivity of IoT devices helps extend the value of each device and adds quality to the overall user experience:
• Device-to-Device. This model represents how two or more devices connect and communicate directly with one another. Communication between devices is usually achieved through protocols such as Bluetooth, Z-Wave, and Zigbee. This model is often found in in wearables and in home automation devices, where small packets of data are communicated from one device to another, as with a door lock to a lightbulb.
• Device-to-Cloud. Many IoT devices connect to the cloud, often using wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Connecting to the cloud allows users and related applications to access the devices, making it possible to course through commands remotely and push necessary updates to the device software. Through this connection, the devices can also collect user data to improve their service providers.
• Device-to-Gateway. Before connecting to the cloud, IoT devices can communicate first with an intermediary gateway device. The gateway can translate protocols and add a layer of security for the entire IoT system. In the case of a smart home, for example, all smart devices can be connected to a hub (the gateway) that helps the different devices work together despite having different connection protocols.
• Back-End Data Sharing. An extension of the device-to-cloud model, this model allows users to access and analyze a collection of data from different smart devices. A company, for instance, can use this model to access information from all of the devices working inside the company building as organized together in the cloud. This model also helps lessen issues with data portability.

What are the applications of the IoT

Just as the Internet at large affects a broad spectrum of users, so does the IoT. Depending on the scale of connectivity and the number of devices involved, the IoT can have significant and specific applications, be they for a single user or an entire city. Common applications of the IoT include the following:

• People and homes. People make direct use of IoT devices through technology that can be worn, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, and devices that help make receiving and collecting information possible in real-time. Applied to households, IoT devices can be used to create a more connected, energy-efficient, and conveniently run home. Through a computer or a mobile smart device, homeowners can also access and control various aspects of a connected home remotely.
• Automobiles. Sensors within a moving vehicle make it possible to collect real-time data about the car and its surroundings. Autonomous vehicles use different sensors in combination with advanced control systems to assess their environments and consequently drive themselves.
• Factories. By applying IoT in factories, manufacturers can automate repetitive tasks and access information on any part of the entire manufacturing process. The data provided by factory machines’ sensors can help find ways to improve the production line’s overall efficiency and reduce the likelihood of accidents.
• Businesses. On a larger scale, with the adoption of IoT technologies, companies can be more cost-effective, efficient, and productive. For example, office buildings can be fitted with sensors that can monitor elevator traffic or overall energy consumption. Different industries naturally have different applications of the IoT: In the healthcare industry, IoT devices may be used to gain instant and accurate updates about patients’ conditions, while in the retail industry, IoT devices may be deployed to help shoppers locate products and monitor inventory.
• Cities. The combined uses of different IoT devices can cover urban and public areas. IoT devices can gather data from and affect the environment to help manage the various aspects of city governance, such as traffic control, resource management, and public safety.

What are the current issues with the IoT

The IoT is a relatively new, developing technology. As such, it’s subject to certain significant issues, especially with more devices predicted to go online in the coming years. The following are several aspects where the IoT continues to face some problems.

Standards and Regulations

While it broadens the scope of applications, the growing number of connected devices makes the standardizations and regulation of the IoT a complicated and nettlesome affair. Standardization and regulation issues can range from technical problems to legal matters. Users face technical issues like fragmentation as a result of the absence of IoT standards. Different smart devices may use various wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and 5G, hindering communication within IoT systems. On the other hand, the lack of regulation highlights existing internet-related issues as well as adds another layer of complexity to these issues. Determining accountability is one example: Should there be defects and breaches related to IoT device usage, lack of regulation leaves accountability difficult to decide on. Standards and regulations affect the overall quality of services that IoT technologies render and, therefore, concern all IoT stakeholders, be they individual users, device manufacturers, or organizations integrating the technologies into their processes.

Privacy

Privacy awareness has grown with the increase in the diversity of shared personal information over the Internet. The IoT further complicates this issue as it expands the types of data being recorded and shared over the Internet. Since the IoT works better by getting as detailed a view of environments as possible, it presents a trade-off between user privacy and quality of service. Determining the points where data collection should be limited, or even stopping the collection of data altogether on account of user privacy concerns, is also difficult to achieve, especially with the automated nature of most IoT systems.

Security

Security concerns will always be present when handling data and information. The IoT adds its security challenges with its access to a wide variety of personal information and its close integration into individual and organizational activities. These characteristics of the IoT make the technology a viable target for cybercriminals. In addition, any breach, attack, or vulnerability with a single IoT device or system weakens the overall security of the networks concerned.

Other security threats related to IoT technologies include the following.

• The homogeneity of mass-produced smart devices means the proliferation of the same possible vulnerabilities.
• The automation of IoT systems makes it more difficult to detect vulnerabilities and breaches because there is a reduced need for human interference.
• The environments in which IoT devices are deployed make them vulnerable to unforeseen physical threats, where attackers may tamper with them directly.
• The interconnectivity of IoT systems makes every part of the system an avenue for data breaches and cyberattacks, which can spread to the rest of the affected networks.

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How can the use of the IoT be secured

Different security practices may apply to other types of IoT devices and systems. However, securing the IoT while maintaining its relevance is the shared responsibility of its key players, from IoT manufacturers to end users. Manufacturers can incorporate robust security features from the design stage, and service providers can guarantee security by pushing updates and patches when necessary. Users like organizations that use smart devices in their businesses can continually monitor all their devices, only partially using IoT automation. 

Final Words  

IoT gateways filter and translate data between devices and the cloud using various communication protocols.

• Cloud Reduces the strain on individual devices by centralizing data processing and storage.
• User Interface
• Enables remote control and gives users access to device data.

IoT Communication Models

Device-to-Device: Bluetooth and other short-range protocols are used to enable direct communication between devices. Device-to-Cloud: To facilitate remote control and data interchange, devices establish Ethernet or Wi-Fi connections with cloud services. Device-to-Device: Security and protocol translation are added when devices connect via a middle gateway. Reverse Data Exchange This feature allows users to gather and analyze data centrally from various devices, which is helpful for managing systems in cities, enterprises, and households.

Smart home appliances (such as security cameras and thermostats), wearable technology, and fitness trackers are all used in homes and for personal use.

• Automotive self-navigating cars employ AI and sensors to avoid human interaction.
• Manufacturing Systems for monitoring and automating factories to increase productivity and lower hazards.
• Enterprise: Energy and resource efficiency through smart workplaces.
• Cities: “Smart cities” that control utilities, traffic, and public safety with the help of IoT

IoT Faces the Following Obstacles  Rules and Regulations What is the Internet of Things (IoT)  The inexistence of universal standards for communication protocols and regulations presents obstacles to both legal duties and device interoperability. Privacy As a result of IoT devices gathering vast quantities of personal data, questions about data ownership and privacy are raised. Security Due to their large scale and linked nature, IoT systems are susceptible to cyberattacks. Hacking, data breaches, and system vulnerabilities are examples of security concerns. IoT security Device makers must incorporate robust security measures. Service providers should offer regular fixes and updates. Users need to be on the lookout for security flaws in their gadgets and be cautious.