I want to be part of this big thing, I think it’s called Internet of Things and everybody is talking about it
But what is the Internet of Things ?!
Well I’ve read that this will mean that everything will be connected all the time, and everybody can access everything remotely.
So, let’s analyze it a little bit.
Everything will be connected all the time. But I’ve read a lot of information on how we cannot have any more IP’s, and how we need to do this and that for allowing the rest of the world to be connected, imagine connecting everything.
A lot has changed since almost 80% of the world is connected to internet, IPv4 is not longer the king of the castle, and IPv6 is taking over to make room for the Internet of Things, among other things. While the old IPv4 allowed for a large but sort of limited number of devices, IPv6 allows for a much much larger pool, theoretically all you can imagine.
So we are on a good way to allow for everything to be connected.
Let’s see now the connected all the time part.
I consider something connected when it can communicate with other systems, devices or services. Basically what it means is that the cameras, sensors, drones, alarm systems, cars, dishwashers, refrigerators, everything can now push and pull information from others, all the time.
Looks good, at least with some very little investment, or none if someone will share his/her systems, devices or services with me, I will never have to worry about where I parked my car, or if there is any food left before a I plan a weekend at home.
So far so good.
But, everybody can access everything remotely
I don’t want my home cameras being accessed by a stranger, I don’t want my car being controlled remotely from a hacker, I don’t want my drone to get me into trouble by hitting a bird or a plane. OK, maybe I’ve used the wrong examples, but these are just few ones from our everyday life.
When the Internet of Things was designed or born, like most things in Technology, it did not have Security as a top priority.
Instead they were thinking of autonomous cars roaming our streets, drone deliveries of goods, Artificial intelligence that could access a myriad of sensors and make our life easier, doctors that could access our vital signs remotely and make are safer, and all sorts of science fiction scenarios that you have seen in the movies.
Anyway like most technology things it will get better with time, and Internet of Things will make life easier for a lot of folks, including me and you.
