IOT
There is much talk about the Internet of things, its evolution and how far it can go. However, do we know where it comes from? Were the first devices connected? Who coined the term that has become the paradigm of a new technological era?
Kevin Ashton, co-founder of the Auto-ID Center at MIT, first mentioned the internet of things in a presentation made by Procter & Gamble (P&G) in 1999. Wanting the radio frequency ID (RFID) to get the attention of P&G senior management, Ashton selected his presentation “Internet of things” to incorporate the new and great trend of 1999: internet.
IoT has evolved from the convergence of wireless technologies, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), microservices and the Internet. Convergence has helped break down the silos between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT), data generated by unstructured machines may be analyzed to obtain information to drive improvements.
While Ashton’s was the first mention of the Internet of things, the idea of connected devices has existed since the 1970s, under the influence of the Internet and widespread computing.
The first Internet device, for example, was a Coca-Cola machine at Carnegie Mellon University in the early 1980s. Using the web, programmers can check the status of the machine and determine if a cold drink awaits them, in case they decide to travel to the machine.
But really the first electronic communication occurred much earlier; In 1800, messages could already be transmitted via fax, radio or telegraph. Many things have happened from those first communications to the present: we have seen the Internet born and live a revolution of the Network of networks.
IoT evolved from machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, that is, machines connected to each other through a network without human interaction. M2M refers to connecting a device to the cloud, managing it and collecting data.
Taking M2M to the next level, IoT is a network of sensors of billions of smart devices that connect people, systems and other applications to collect and share data. As a base, M2M offers the connectivity that IoT allows.
The Internet of Things is also a natural extension of SCADA (monitoring control and data acquisition), a category of software application program for process control, real-time data collection from remote locations to control equipment and terms. SCADA systems include hardware and software components. The hardware collects and feeds data on a computer that has SCADA software installed, where it is then processed and presented in a timely manner. The evolution of SCADA is such that the latest generation SCADA systems became first generation IoT systems.
In 2000, LG announced its first refrigerator connected to the Internet. At that time the idea might seem even unnecessary but the truth is that it was the beginning of the true connection of devices beyond laptops.
However, the concept of the IoT ecosystem did not come true until mid-2010 when, in part, the Chinese government said it would make IoT a strategic priority in its five-year plan.
In 2012 there were already 8.7 billion connected devices. This year the true explosion of Internet of Things is expected. From there to the 26,000 million -50,000 million foreseen in the image- expected by 2020, there is a step forward.
Therefore, the internet of things, IoT, refers to the digital interconnection of everyday objects with the internet, consisting of multiple technologies such as sensors that allow the physical world to be connected with the digital world, computers that allow processing that information and web platforms where the data is processed and stored.
This intelligent network infrastructure improves operations, increases security, protection and productivity. In addition, it allows obtaining a valuable data perspective to optimize automation and discover new lines of business.
Examples:
1. A smart refrigerator
Thanks to the Internet of Things your refrigerator will connect to the Internet. It will tell you what foods are running out and, also, can place your order. The products that end up in the fridge will arrive within the expected time frame so you never miss anything.
2. Appliances that let you know on mobile
Not only does the refrigerator become intelligent. Other appliances thanks to the Internet connection, will take care of taking your work. For example, when the oven finishes cooking or the washing machine has finished with clothes, you will receive a notice on your mobile. Burnt biscuits or wrinkled clothes in the washing machine will run out.
4. Cleaning and food ready
What a pleasure to get home and have the tasks done. Vacuum robots or kitchen robots, thanks to the Internet of Things, we can program them remotely or previously. And if we forget to activate the heating or the alarm at home we can do it comfortably from where we are, through the mobile.
5. Useful information while driving
The car connected to the Internet will give us the best route in real time, it will remind us to go to the gas station when we are running out of fuel. Even when we look for parking, it will tell us where there are free spaces to park.
An IoT ecosystem consists of intelligent web-enabled devices that use integrated processors, sensors and communication hardware to collect, send and act on the data they acquire from their environments. IoT devices share the sensor information they collect when connected to an IoT gateway or other edge device where data is sent to the cloud to analyze or analyze it locally. Sometimes, these devices communicate with other related devices and act on the information they obtain from each other. The devices perform most of the work without human intervention, although people can interact with them, for example, to configure them, give them instructions or access the data.
The connectivity, network and communication protocols used with these web-enabled devices depend heavily on the specific IoT applications implemented.
IoT benefits
The internet of things offers a number of benefits to organizations, allowing them to:
- Monitor your general business processes;
- Improve the customer experience;
- Save time and money;
- Improve employee productivity;
- Integrate and adapt business models;
- Make better business decisions; Y
- Generate more income.
IoT encourages companies to rethink the ways in which they approach their businesses, industries and markets and provides them with the tools to improve their business strategies.
Who are the ones that are inventing the most?
What are the leading territories of the IoT?
Contrary to what one might think, Silicon Valley, in particular, or the United States, in general, are not the places where IoT is flourishing the most. As they point out in Forbes attributing to a report by the United States Intellectual Property Office, activities began in Finland and Sweden. It is also not surprising if we consider that these countries are Nokia and Ericsson, respectively.
Instead, when we talk about patents, we see other results. From 2004 to 2013, ZTE and LG were the companies with the most inventions created. Behind, Samsung, Ericsson and IBM. Apple or Google, major references in the sector, remained in positions 27 and 84.
So far Iot is a wonderful thing because it simplifies many of our daily tasks or even provides us with several situations in the day to day that we would not previously have the way to do. For example, to go from one place to another we would have to ask for directions from other people, at this moment it is enough to use an app like google maps and draw us the most appropriate route. However, we rarely realize that behind all this activity that will generate the Internet of things there are key challenges; data storage, management and, above all, security.
An HP report that echoes PCR alerts us precisely to this point. Internet of things can be a great focus of action for cybercriminals who see with caramelized eyes as connections multiply and information expands. Some data that, in 90% of cases, are personal.
The manufacturer is clear that 80% of the devices connected to the Internet of things will have or already have security issues related to privacy. A percentage that also speaks of systems without a key or with processes without complexity for any “bad of the Network”.
In addition, 60% of the devices analyzed do not have encryption systems which makes it more than easy to enter, steal or change user data. Information that can be the bank account to make the purchase from the fridge or the photographs of the children we carry in the car.
Due to this, concerns about privacy and security contribute to consumers distrust products connected to the internet.
New research shows that privacy and security are key concerns of consumers and drive purchasing decisions.
73% of consumers think that people who use connected devices should be concerned about unauthorized listening, and 63% think that connected devices are “disturbing” by the way they collect data about people and their behavior.
A survey conducted in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, France and the United Kingdom by IPSOS Mori on behalf of the Internet Society and Consumers International found that 65% of consumers are concerned about the way connected devices collect data. More than half (55%) do not trust their connected devices [1] to protect their privacy and a similar proportion (53%) do not trust that their devices handle their information responsibly.
Despite these data, there is a great opportunity to take advantage of this new era. An era in which many action front will open and where security will be a fundamental challenge. A vital aspect in consumption but much more in the business environment where data can be much more delicate.
In this scenario, partners or technology providers must be clear that offering or integrating a solution to connect the device must have all the basic and advanced requirements for any cybercriminal to enter. And how to do it? Always hand in hand with technology and allies that have security by flag.
