The Internet of Things is a long-cherished dream. Until recently, it was logistically difficult, if not impossible, to pull it off. According to Mehal Rajput in his post, “IoT and Home Automation – Is it the Future?” advances in tech have not only made the IoT possible but also more affordable. We’re a society that’s becoming increasingly interconnected. IoT is a natural progression of that interconnectivity. Companies in the know are building in internet capabilities into a range of appliances. It won’t be long before every device that we own is connected online.

IoT has progressively made its way into the day-to-day lives of both individuals and businesses. From cars to coffee makers to smart factories, the devices that surround us are becoming increasingly connected. The benefits of bringing IoT into our homes and offices are numerous. We have increased efficiency, improved communication, and greater productivity, to cite but a few — but it comes with its fair share of risks. Here is how IoT can put your data at risk.

One of the big battles being waged in healthcare today centers around the limited amount of genuinely personalized care available for a large number of patients who need it. The challenge requires physicians and facilities to extend their reach while somehow also deepening it. Artificial intelligence could be healthcare’s unlikely rescuer. With its innate ability to predict events, AI has the potential to connect patients to the right providers at the right time, reducing inefficiencies and boosting health and overall patient experience. 41% of healthcare executives expect AI to be the most effective technology of the near future, and many providers are already investigating how to use it to expand their services.

We all know 5G and IoT have been making a splash since 2016. However,  we won’t see its standard commercial network until later in 2020. But now that the time has arrived let’s see what possibilities IoT and 5G will create together. Here are the mind-blowing possibilities created by 5G-enhanced I0T. A Brief History of 5G Now the question arises why it was hyped at such an early age? If you look at the cycle from 2G to 3G and 3G to 4G, it almost took ten years to get from one generation to another. Nonetheless, the same is the case with 5G. The reason is how the entire standard body is constructed, it’s a very complicated process to introduce a new generation, though it works really well globally. But you need to get everybody on the same table, and agreements have to be made on every single thing — such as antenna, modulation, security, mobility, authentication, and billing.

Customers and companies have been quick to embrace the benefits of connected devices, and the Internet of Things is a more significant part of our lives than ever before. Connected devices can offer tremendous value by transmitting data continuously, allowing for unparalleled control and analysis. The problem is that this data transmission needs to be handled correctly at all points — locally, to the cloud, and in the cloud. But it’s time to truly consider the privacy implication of IoT. Many products rely on Bluetooth for connectivity, which has known security flaws. While many platforms use more secure protocols like Z-Wave for encryption, they might still rely on poorly designed hubs to save costs. For example, researchers recently uncovered vulnerabilities in a Zipato smart home hub that allowed hackers to open a smart lock with just a few lines of code.

We live in an increasingly connected world. It’s estimated that there will be about 260 million internet-connected devices in the U.S. by 2020, and the next wave of these devices will push our data demand even further. New Bluetooth advancements, for instance, enable devices to perform within a range that’s four times greater, twice the speed, and eight times the bandwidth of traditional Bluetooth devices. Besides this, connected and automated devices in the home are already ubiquitous given the popularity of smart home installations: Vacuums, thermostats, lights, and pretty much anything else with a plug can now be controlled using phone apps and voice commands. But this increasing connection isn’t limited to the home; the workplace is automating as well. A majority of businesses are exploring automation for its potential to drive efficiency, productivity, and innovation, and this will only increase as the Internet of Things continues to expand. Advancements like these will lead to a world that’s connected everywhere you go — meaning society’s data demand is growing. What’s more, streaming subscriptions have already surpassed cable. Many streaming services are already available on mobile devices as well, which increases connectivity and data demand even further.

For decades, we’ve been dreaming about a futuristic lifestyle. But now, this fantasy is finally within grasp. In fact, the concept of home automation has been around for some time. It rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s. As the internet and technological advancements exploded, the development of appliances linked to computers flourished. Smart homes suddenly became a more affordable option. Home automation has already passed its infancy stages. Soon robots that will complete your chores in autonomous homes will be commonplace. The technology backing these ideas are just now entering the mainstream. Our desire for convenience, security, and energy efficiency have pushed innovators to develop solutions to cater to our needs. More importantly, developers must focus on the connectivity and interactivity of various devices, both of which are essential for overall efficiency and performance. As technology continues to progress at an incredible pace, IA and IoT have found a comfortable niche in our homes.

As the new year rapidly approaches, it’s exciting to think about how technologies will grow and change. The Internet of Things has experienced massive growth in the past few years, and 2020 will seemingly be no different. Worldwide, the number of active IoT devices is expected to be at 10 billion by 2020. Here is what we can expect for IoT in 2020. In 2020, the analytics say that B2B spending on IoT technologies, apps, and solutions will reach $267 billion. With more connected devices and more investment in the IoT, changes are bound to happen with this technology. Of course, one of the most significant trends coming is more focus on cybersecurity. As with any advancing technology, the threat of hackers is looming. More companies will harness the power of the IoT in 2020, which will benefit the consumer; however, companies may pull back on proprietary compatibility to build consumer loyalty. Here are four predictions for IoT trends in 2020.

As technology continues to improve, we’re seemingly able to control almost every aspect of our lives through smart devices we carry with us everywhere, such as our smartphones. Software applications that allow us to order transportation easily, access our home security cameras while on vacation and even pay bills during our commute. The same expectations of simple management and improved personalization are moving to the workplace environment. Employees are looking for comfortable, convenient, and productive spaces in the workplace environment. Building managers and owners want to meet the needs of their employees by delivering a comfortable and safe environment while ensuring efficient operations. No matter the building type – whether it be an office, hospital or municipal plant– these two objectives can be met. Building efficiency features can lead to employee wellness and satisfaction through proper air circulation and temperature control, for example. With smart technology apps, a workplace environment co-managed by facility professionals and employees is possible.

What seemed to be a wave turned out to be a tsunami. IoT is communicating in various areas with an appeal and demand stronger than before. The technology is massively virulent, amassing most of the tech domain in advance. The Internet has pulled off the conventional means of retrieving information and services. Here are five IoT business case examples and what they teach us. Internet of Things (IoT) is breathing life into businesses. IoT has gained a compelling advantage over next-age technology. With that in mind, it has become the buzzword for market researchers, who have a taste for innovation. IoT Business Application: Some Stats and Facts Revealed About 79% of retail businesses will opt for IoT in one form or another this year. The reason is simple. IoT used to be expensive before. With it, business security and ROI was a gamble. IoT has transformed from limiting the prospects of being a leading solution provider. Undoubtedly, IoT has helped 95% of businesses achieve benefits. These include building effective relationships with customers and increasing their revenue. They can predict the consumer pattern using IoT in combination with AI and cloud computing. IoT has made novel approaches. About 64 billion IoT devices will be used by 2025.

IoT is said to be one of the largest services delivered by the world’s top, End to End Web Development companies. There’s no denying the fact that IoT holds a great impact on every aspect of people’s lives now. End to End Web Development has become a trend being pursued by startups and entrepreneurs for their business apps/websites. Here is how IoT is impacting the future of web development. IoT: A Brief Introduction A whopping $19 trillion is anticipated as cost-savings and profits from investments in IoT Development. Internet of Things is an inter-networking of smart devices, which can create a great effect on eCommerce upgrade. It connects conventional technologies, such as radiofrequency identifiers, sensors, actuators, bar codes, GPS, satellite technology, internet protocols.

Imagine you have to buy new headphones, what will you do: go to the nearest store or open a browser or jump on your mobile app? More and more people today tend to choose the second variant since it takes less time and effort. The number of online-shoppers will keep growing, as e-commerce — online commercial transactions — becomes more comfortable by introducing high-tech solutions, for example, IoT-based. IoT (Internet of Things) is an ecosystem of smart devices that have access to the internet and can communicate with each other. IoT changes the eCommerce industry not only from the consumers’ side but also from the inner one. (e.g., processes like inventory management, logistics.) The changes IoT brings to the e-commerce industry are both positive and negative. How IoT Changes E-commerce Even before going online, commerce utilized intelligent devices to improve service and product monitoring: it was 1982 when Coca-Cola installed smart vending machines that reported how much drink was left inside and how cold it was. Today, with the power of the internet and IoT, commerce has gone far ahead. IoT in E-commerce: positive effects Let’s begin with the e-commerce processes that benefit from IoT technologies.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has gone from a futuristic buzzword to becoming a reality. IoT security has become an industry on to itself. By 2020, Gartner expects there will be 20 billion IoT “things” in use. These IoT “things” do not include smartphones and PCs. They are everyday devices, such as appliances, cars, and vending machines, that have internet-connectivity for use. The Gartner report puts data into an ever-increasing number of devices that are beneficial for consumers. It also creates additional headaches for CIOs and IT professionals. It can be a difficult job for IT leaders because it involves more than managing a closed network and virtual assets. It means managing physical devices and objects that are outside the organization’s immediate control. IoT generates a significant amount of highly personal consumer data. The generation of increasing amounts of data creates layers of security concerns, especially in light of new privacy legislation. The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California’s new Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are two such examples. Our security solutions keeping up with the rise of IoT? A Deloitte survey of organizational confidence in IoT security reveals that only 18 percent of the 500 C-level Executives that oversee cybersecurity at significant companies say they are very confident that the “things’ in the Internet of Things are secure. That is significantly less than the 31 percent that reports they are uncertain or not confident at all in IoT security. Massive Amounts Of Personally-Identifiable Data The preponderance of IoT devices in use will make it even more challenging to protect the enormous amount of personally-identifiable data that is gathered. All of these combined devices means more significant attention to the gathering, storage, and security of data. Enter PKI. PKI stands for Public Key Infrastructure. A public-facing key is mapped to a private key known to the user. PKI has a certificate authority to issue and sign digital certificates, which can be revoked. This authority verifies the identity of those seeking to store digital certificates. Combined with TLS (Transport Layer Security), encrypted communication is enabled. Managing IoT Security And Privacy Risks In Devices The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) identified three critical risks within IoT devices that show the difference between conventional IT: IoT devices interact fundamentally different than traditional IT devices in the hands of consumers IoT devices cannot be monitored or managed the same way because they are outside your IT staff’s physical control Availability, efficient, and effectiveness of IT controls are different. Additional restrictions and controls have to be developed and managed, along with a different approach to risk mitigation. These key risks boil down to three concepts that IoT demands: Protecting device security Protecting data security Protecting user privacy Protecting IoT Security in Devices When devices are available for public use, it’s easy for cybercriminals to get their hands on IoT devices. The key is to prevent them from using these devices to conduct attacks including things like DDoS or intercepting network traffic Protecting Data Security Except for those devices that do not need permissions, it is critical to safeguard the confidentiality and access to PII (Personally Identifiable Information) that is collected, stored, or processed by IoT devices. In addition to best practices, this may also be subjected to strict compliance rules depending on the type of transaction taking place. Protecting User Privacy We’ve seen many high-profile data scandals over the past couple of years. 2017 say, Marissa Meyer, CEO of Yahoo, forced to resign after it was made public that the company provided US intelligence agencies access to millions of user’s emails. Just this year, two top Facebook employees quite following due to the company’s plans to combine Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp jointly. As IoT becomes even more embedded in devices, privacy will become a more significant concern for users. Operational Security As Part Of Your DNA To be effective, the cybersecurity of IoT devices has to central to everything you do. “Security needs to become embedded into the DNA of operational programs to enable organizations to have great products and have peace of mind,” said Sean Peasley, IoT Security Leader in Cyber Risk Services at Deloitte & Touche LLP. Peasley said organizations need to consider the potential threats as hazards and look closely at these as priority items. Defending data security starts with developing products that employ security-by-design to manage risk. This means implementing cybersecurity practices by default during the design and production of IoT products. Top 10 IoT Security Risks Deloitte notes the top 10 security risks that exist with managing IoT products by organizations. Each of these items must be addressed with significant solutions. Lack of security and privacy policies and procedures Lack of governance to protect data Lack of secure product and ecosystem design Lack of awareness and training for engineers and designers Lack of product security and privacy resources Lack of monitoring of devices (and systems) to detect attacks/events Lack of implementation security and risk management Lack of security visibility in products Lack of identification and mitigating of product risks Lack of experience with incident response Managing these risks takes a top-down approach to cybersecurity with the budget to match. Security is not something delegating to the IT team. It needs to be incorporated into every phase of the design process from senior leadership on down. Security risks are becoming known to the public. With more and more security risks becoming known to the public, employees are starting to make employment decisions based on the data security practices of their employers. As Ray Walsh, Digital Privacy Expert at ProPrivacy.com explains, “Tech employees understand that if something goes wrong – and the firm they work for suffers a data breach – they could end up with an undesirable black mark next to their name, or worse, the potential for liability.” Walsh continues, “Employees often leave with an understanding of fundamental business practices, trade secrets, and with a familiarity of intellectual property. There is also a danger that firms may not be able to fill the vacuum created by those resignations (with equally able talent). On the other hand, businesses that can demonstrate a genuine desire to protect consumer privacy are likely to find themselves increasingly attractive to both consumers and tech sector employees.” This focus on security doesn’t end when the design is complete. It must continue throughout the product life cycle. 32,7 Million IoT Attacks Attacks on IoT security are not just theoretical. More than 32.7 million attacks on IoT devices were detected in 2018. That represents an increase of more than 215% from the previous year. Too many devices have little or no security controls. As consumer adoption of IoT devices continues to grow, concerns over privacy and security will escalate as well. When a network is in-house and within the control of CISOs and their IT teams, strict adherence to data security and protection can take place. When devices are in the hands of consumers, it is harder to manage. One recent study showed that more than 40 percent of smart homes have at least one IoT device that is vulnerable to remote attacks. Outdated software, unapplied patches, and weak credentials make it possible for cybercriminals to exploit weakness. “The concern over security and privacy is more prevalent than ever before,” said Michael Chertoff, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. The post Are Solutions Keeping Up with IoT Security Concerns? appeared first on ReadWrite. Read more.....

All around the world, cities, and municipalities are clamoring to make infrastructure plans designed to support the 5G. The infrastructure plans will also help other high-speed data networks that will enable the IoT future. They’re building because they know the opportunity for economic growth that will come along with the next generation of IoT technology. The UK has been impressive in its preparation in IoT needs for next-generation infrastructure. Substantial growth has always been worth a fortune to whichever locality becomes a hub for future IoT development. The economic prize is significant, with experts predicting that spending in the IoT market will grow to $520 billion per year by 2021. Although the necessary 5G wireless networks are already being rolled out in various places around the world, it’s something of an open secret. The real hurdle facing many areas is a shortage of available fiber-optic infrastructure to form the backhaul networks. The available fiber-optic infrastructure will unlock the potential of the new wireless technology. In the US, analysts at Deloitte estimate that upwards of $150 billion in new investments will be required to support the data capacity demands. That’s the bottom tier that the 5G wireless networks are about to unleash. So far, there’s little evidence that private investment is going to come anywhere close to that total. There appears to be no political will at the moment to include a national fiber plan in a forthcoming federal infrastructure bill. In the UK, however, that’s not the case. In July of 2018, the British government released a detailed national broadband strategy that aims to extend full fiber coverage to every home by 2033. It’s an ambitious goal that’s backed by a pledge of up to £5 billion in subsidies to underwrite fiber rollouts in rural areas. The UK is making sure nobody gets left behind by profit-focused private network operators. The plan, if successful, will create a fiber backhaul network capable of handling the massive uptick in data expected to come from 5G networks. The project includes providing ultra-fast wired internet services to every home. The only real question that remains is whether the plan will work though it’s too soon to pass judgment yet. Here’s a look at how the full fiber rollout is going in the UK. Included here are the challenges faced by the company charged with doing the work, and what they’re doing to try to stay on track. Understanding the Players To understand what’s happening in the UK about upgrading the nation’s aging copper infrastructure to an all-new, full-fiber network. It’s important first to understand a little bit about how the telecommunications market works there. First, unlike in many other capitalist markets, the entirety of the legacy copper telecommunications infrastructure in the UK is the property of a single company: British Telecom (BT). That network, some of which is over 140 years old, forms the core of almost all current phone and internet service in the nation, save for the customers served by available cable television operators. To make sure that the upgrade to a full-fiber network wouldn’t be bogged down by BT’s focus on its bottom line. The British telecommunications regulator OFCOM mandated that the national network be spun off into a separate entity. The new company would be bound by a legal mandate to serve all customers equally and committed to making the eventual transition to a full-fiber national network. Also, the government hoped to spur competition in the overall broadband market. Appearing to have worked, with more than 500 separate companies now offering services via additional networks. They’ve also encouraged consumers to shop around for broadband, which has fueled interest in comparing broadband deals. Taken together, OFCOM’s actions seem to have created the right impetus for other fiber companies to move forward with its network upgrade plans. The Progress So Far Fiber to the home equipment. FTTH internet fiber optics cables and cabinet, splitter. As you might expect, the size and scale of the work required to roll out a comprehensive, fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in every corner of the UK are quite massive. So far, Openreach claims that they’ve already got over 900,000 premises connected, with plans to reach a full three million by 2020. Where does the U.S. stand in comparison? While that sounds ambitious, it represents just 10% of the number of premises nationwide that will eventually require an upgrade, highlighting how far fiber has yet to go. When you consider that much of the work done so far has focused on clusters of locations within urban centers, it’s also reasonable to expect that the brisk pace of the rollout won’t continue for very long. Still, there’s a reason to be optimistic about the odds of meeting the ambitious government broadband plan. They’ve already announced that the city of Salisbury will be the first location to have complete FTTP infrastructure, and 1Gbps internet access available for any who require it. They’ll join another 25 locations where similar rollouts are already in progress and in various stages of completion. All told, the company claims to be adding 13,000 new FTTP connections each week, which is a good sign given how many locations remain. The Obstacles Some factors could hinder the progress that smaller companies are making, and not all of them are within the company’s control. The most significant factor is the ever-present shadow of Brexit, which is already choking off some of the sources of labor and skills that Openreach and other large companies rely on. That’s making it challenging to make sure they can recruit the new engineers needed to build and maintain the new fiber network at a time when they can least afford a slowdown. Also, the company worries that the split from the EU could sever its’ supply chain operations, starving the company of the very technology and supplies it needs to continue the project. Then, some internal matters could yet stymie Openreach’s efforts. To begin with, the company had to build out an executive management structure separate from BT a few short months ago. They now face the challenge of retaining their new leadership team for the duration of the project. Retaining top talent at executive levels requires careful planning and a conscious effort to achieve. It’s also an issue that could affect their bottom line, as well. All they need to do is to look across the Atlantic to the US to see how a tight labor market affects executive retention. There, according to executive retention guides, over 51% of organizations provide bonuses to their CEOs. The same is also true of other top-level executive positions, and all together, those bonuses add up to a significant amount of overhead. Still, such compensation packages are a must to prevent high turnover. Last, and not least, Openreach still faces the challenge of getting consumers to sign up for their new FTTP offerings. Sign-ups have to be done via the third-party resellers that make use of their network. If they’re unable to do so, they risk overextending their reach without sufficient revenue to continue the rollout – which would doom the plan and guarantee that the government’s 2033 deadline cannot be met. The Bottom Line IoT community and the UK will be a fertile ground for developers and hardware designers. Photo: Adobe Stock The UK’s government’s national broadband strategy. The raft of challenges notwithstanding, it appears that Openreach is staying on track to meet the ambitious goals laid out. At the very least, they’re doing their utmost to manage what is undoubtedly one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the history of the UK. For the IoT community, the early results alone guarantee that the UK will be a fertile ground for developers and hardware designers in the coming years, even after the dust from Brexit settles and the political and economic impact becomes apparent. It may be an excellent time for IoT entrepreneurs and others in the industry to look to the UK to form a base for future operations. Established industries and businesses are relocating elsewhere amid the uncertainty, and that could create a vacuum in which a new IoT industrial base could flourish. These facts, surrounded by a next-generation data infrastructure and with the wind at its back. It’s still too early to render any judgments about the future of full-fiber infrastructure in the UK, but the smart money should be on Openreach and their efforts to provide the backbone of the IoT industry in the UK for the next several decades to come. The post IoT Needs Next-Generation Infrastructure and the UK Aims to Provide It appeared first on ReadWrite. Read more.....