Why standardization important for IoT?
The Rise of IoT:
The Internet of Things (IoT) has raised in popularity significantly in recent years. This is because of the key features of IoT that have attracted consumers- namely its ability to enhance productivity, maintain (and improve) efficiency and deliver results quickly.
Thanks to the Internet of Things, you can easily move and manipulate the way you transfer information from one device to another. It’s not just about transferring information from say, a mobile phone to a tablet either; with the help of IoT, you can send information to your TV, your microwave, your refrigerator and more.
See also: How does Internet of Things works?
The Risk Involved:
However, just like all other technologies, even IoT has risks. This primarily comes in the form of cybercrimes. What the Internet of Things does is that it connects you- via your device(s)- to the rest of the world.
Due to this level connectivity, it’s actually quite easy to hack into your system leading to crimes like identity theft, bank fraud, and the more recent ransomware attacks.
This is due to the fact that the IoT industry is largely unregulated. It’s sort of like social media in its early days. There’s little regulations, few restrictions and not a lot of consistency in the industry.
Every IoT manufacturer can create their own network which might be very different from another manufacturer’s. This makes it a bit trickier to keep track of.
Due to the lack of any formal ‘rules’ in the industry, IoT manufacturers can easily forgo installing key security details to make a quick buck.
Of course, we’re not saying that IoT manufacturers do this, we’re just saying that it can be done because of the lack of regulation in the industry.
And if this happens, it is a massive security risk. In the past, we have seen hackers take advantage of the lack of regulation in the IoT industry by managing to break into a hotel’s network and holding guests and staff hostage until paid a certain amount. Who’s to say this won’t happen in a larger scale?
Importance of standardization of IoT
Security in a world that revolves around smart devices is crucial. This is why standardization is important for IoT.
Not only will it help regulate an industry that has very few restrictions, but it will also help create a level of consistency when dealing with firewalls, backend tasks and more. Many have suggested that a standard model for the Internet of Things might be able to help resolve some of the issues faced by the industry today.
It can help set a standard for portability, manageability and interoperability, something which many IoT manufacturers and consumers struggle with.
By bringing together IT specialists, leaders and managers, a standard code can be created which will cover all aspects of IoT.
Regulations and restrictions can help define the extent of the ownership of data and identify under what circumstances and how data can be sold or shared.
Furthermore, it can also help clarify any misconceptions about data collection, and how information is manipulated.
It might not sound like much- just some ‘complex internet things’ to some people, but what you need to understand is that IoT devices aren’t just doing what you tell them to do- they’re collecting data which you may think you own.
Now, keep in mind that there isn’t much standardization in the IoT industry, and this lack of regulation affects you. How?
Well, think of it this. When you’re using an IoT device, you’re feeding it information about yourself- whether it is intentional or not, that does not matter.
What matters is that you don’t own this data. It could be used by the IoT manufacturers to sell or share or use for their own analysis. Or worse, someone could hack into your device(s) and may use this information about you for their own gain.
By regulating the IoT industry, it is possible to control the flow of data and stop it from reaching the wrong hands.
Therefore, in order to make sure that we can continue to take advantage of IoT, it is important that the IoT industry is standardized.
See also: How the Internet of Things changes Business Model?
Conclusion:
It is vital for every industry to have certain standards which they can be held accountable to.
The IoT industry might not have a lot of standards right now, but due to the rapid increase in popularity, there is a definite need for this.
If anything, a set standard will help the further development of IoT applications, as well as make IoT devices more accessible to organizations and industries.
It will be easier to replicate and implement schemes without causing a lot of hassle.
It will be easier to connect multiple devices to one another- regardless of which organization they’re made for- and it will be much easier to share infrastructure and data.
Most importantly, the standardization of IoT will help enhance security protocols and reduce cyberattacks.
See also: Top 7 examples of the Internet of Things applications in daily life
Let us know what you think about the IoT Standardization in the comment section below.
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