Skip to content

Internet of Things (IoT) in Residential Intelligence: Obstacles and Resolutions

IoT excitement ran rampant five years ago, with Vision 2020 predicting a world where 20 billion IoT devices would be interconnected. Now, in 2019, we're nearly there, and IoT is swiftly permeating multiple industries. Major tech companies are capitalizing on IoT's growth...

Connected Home Tech: Obstacles and Strategies
Connected Home Tech: Obstacles and Strategies

Internet of Things (IoT) in Residential Intelligence: Obstacles and Resolutions

In the modern world, smart home IoT devices are transforming everyday appliances like TVs, refrigerators, and doors, making life easier for residents. However, with this convenience comes a new set of challenges, particularly in the realm of security and privacy.

To secure smart home IoT devices, it's essential to protect them with a strong password and learn about the security features provided by the devices. Consumers should also ensure proper Wi-Fi settings, encryption settings, and non-default passwords on their home routers, as they serve as the main gateway to the outside insecure internet.

Moreover, consumers should make sure their devices are set to automatic updates to ensure they have the latest security patches. This is crucial, as devices are often left unpatched, making them vulnerable to attacks.

The WannaCry incident in 2019 highlighted that IoT devices are an open opportunity for hackers to launch attacks on commercially available devices like Belkin WeMo motion sensors, Nest Smoke Alarms, and Withings Smart Body Analyzers. This underscores the need for enhanced device security.

Upcoming technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN), are being researched to provide security as a service for smart home IoT devices. Another long-term solution involves a blockchain-based architecture, although the name of the research group currently working on this remains undisclosed.

The security and privacy of smart home IoT devices are growing concerns due to a lack of work on security by design. These devices communicate in plain-text, making them vulnerable to eavesdropping by malicious entities. Additionally, personal information contained within these devices can be used to track users, raising privacy issues.

As the world moves closer to the reality of 20 billion IoT devices being online, it's clear that the research community, technical community, and business need to work together to enhance device security in the long term. This collaboration is crucial to meeting the challenges of security and privacy in the next-generation evolution of IoT devices.

In a positive note, more than 50% of the US population are willing to spend $500 on smart home devices and appliances, indicating a growing interest in these technologies. By following the three common steps mentioned earlier, consumers can secure their home IoT devices and enjoy the benefits of a smart home while minimising potential risks.

Read also:

Latest