What's in the Future for the IoT?
In parts of the tech industry like the Internet of Things (IoT), advancing change is a major part of the job for everyone. Ease of access, creative ways of accomplishing tasks, and growing ownership of security issues will define IoT's future. Here are a few areas that hold future growth and important tasks for IoT.
More Connectivity
Since the beginning, IoT has been about better connectivity. What can you control across the internet? What information can come from connectivity? What can you automate? Answering those questions and implementing changes can lead the way to the future of IoT.
Along with more connected devices, more robust apps and platforms will be added to those devices. Smart healthcare devices give a bit of basic information about health. More specific biometrics (measurements about biological functions) like specific hormone or chemical compound levels require specific devices. What if you could get multiple readings with one device? What if that one device wasn't exorbitantly expensive? Smaller, more powerful, and more affordable tech will gradually develop to help the IoT live up to its revolutionary promises.
More Privatization
Your internet browsing habits aren't private, and IoT use isn't any different. While many IoT devices are simple to the point that you won't be typing in search terms or giving direct information, there are still pieces of information that can be leaked. More importantly, some IoT devices are too tempting to hackers. To protect yourself, privatized networks are necessary.
CBRS creates new opportunities for privatized networks. From enhanced firewalls and general network security to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), there are multiple ways to protect your privacy online. Enhancing your security and hiding your presence on the internet are both keys, as it's hard to hack a hardened target and no one will actively hack what they never saw in the first place. A balance of security changes and VPN use can cater to your unique needs. Not all networks need massive restrictions and filters that could block legitimate traffic, but some IoT users would prefer to lock everything down.
More Personal Security
More connections and more privatization are great, but they also raise big questions about privacy. These days, it's less about whether you're personally careful about data and more about whether the companies you interact with are careful as well. Instead, consumers need to become not just more aware of security, but knowledgeable about their options.
Routers and computers were first secured by IT professionals, but these days, anyone can look up basic security steps. IoT will be the same. The earliest security scares for IoT happened when net-enabled cameras were revealed as not just weak security, but easy entertainment for hackers and pornography sites. The worst part is most of these security flaws were known by professionals in the 1990s. Unfortunately, we still have issues today and using default login information is common, which can lead to low-impact exploits.
As the IoT world enters the future, protect yourself and the unique needs of your business. The IoT offers amazing potential to help companies move forward, but like any other form of technology, it has its own risks and drawbacks too. Concerned or not, one thing is for sure: IoT is here to stay and will only keep growing.
Looking to get hands-on with some IoT tech? Consider buying an IoT Node.