We live in the age of technological transformation, where advancements are rapidly pouring in. A new storm gushes one after another. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new concept. It means fast-emerging networking and connecting of transforming internet technologies. We have been buying technology gadgets like computers, phones, music players, and cameras. These devices are rapidly improving in features and functionality. 

We expect every new model or version in a whole new eye-catching shiny pack, a collectible itself. The future lies with the rise of connected objects, or the Internet of Things (IoT) may work wonders. It can affect rival technologies like the printing press and the personal computer. According to estimates, around 50 billion IoT devices will connect to the Internet by 2025, creating a galaxy of talking gadgets. It will span a plethora of gadgets, from smartphones to home appliances and a range of office equipment.

Let’s see how the IoT will change our homes, workplaces, and lifestyles. We shall also explore the implications for businesses. It is imperative to have a defense plan in hand to secure your devices.

What is it?

The Internet of Things means the billions of internet-connected devices that collect and share data online. Thanks to cheap computer chips, smartphones, and fast Wi-Fi networks, anything, from a sleep-tracking ring to a refrigerator, is now a part of IoT.

The ‘thing’ in the ‘Internet of Things can include:

• Computer sensor chips perform any task.
• Your food contents inside a ‘smart fridge’.
• A smartphone that notifies you about the room temperature and works as a remote to control all home gadgets. 

For example, you can remotely start your car before leaving the office and get in at home by opening the main gate remotely with a smartphone app. You do all that without getting out of your car. Lights, ACS, and TV go on & Off on your voice command because of smart-home networking. 

Similarly, a smart fridge connects to your Wi-Fi network. Since it operates on the cloud, it can notify your smartphone to beep about expiring items. It can also remind you of diminishing inventory. It can even order a store to send the programmed items in desired quantities. Like all other home devices, you can talk to your smart fridge that eagerly accepts your voice commands. 

The Way IoT Work

TV, Radio, and Camera, you name the device, and your smartphone is hungry to eat it up. The smartphone is becoming the most crucial single device to connect and control the life around you. The IoT operates because of connectivity and control among the devices. The smartphone then remains at the center stage of connectivity. If you need groceries or turn out lights at home, the smartphone is your remote to every function to perform and order to place. 

Connectivity

The Internet of Things means connected gadgets that work on touch or voice commands. All that functionality stays on-chip sensors that collect data through machine learning. Every device around you is now a mini-computer. It is, therefore, equally vulnerable to bugs and open to access by hackers.

Artificial Intelligent (AI)

Artificial Intelligence works through machine learning. Computers collect data, remember it, relate, and learn without programming. The process itself is part of the operating system. IoT devices learn your habits and activities and are attuned to respond to your stored schedules, needs, and likelihood. It resembles old-day customs when the home servant knew everybody’s needs in the house better than the persons themselves. Your smartphone replaces your servant, bodyguard, driver, and personal secretary.  

Types of Available IoT Devices. 

Wearables are the most popular IoT things or devices. These gadgets have sensors connected to the Internet. Many of them are health and fitness specific, like the ground-breaking Fitbit. A vast range of similar products as the Apple Watch monitors your steps, sleep patterns, and even your heart rate.

The ‘hearable’ tech is a hybrid technology that combines the conveniences of wearables with headphone devices. It gets a wider popularity in the music and gaming industry as Apple AirPods Max. The 5G revolution will boost the speed 100 times faster, taking the joy to the next level. 

Can IoT devices Think?

IoT devices are improving every day and are full of next-step functionality. The devices like Alexa are even taking steps toward complex artificial intelligence. Voice assistants and voice command devices are pre-programmed by tech producers. You can now start teaching them individually according to your preferences.  

Amazon’s new self-learning feature helps Alexa correct itself. It better recognizes your voice and behavior and works out that it fails to understand through communicating with you. It simply means it can think by analyzing your past behavior and stored commands. 

Now that IoT devices have started thinking for themselves, our interaction with technology will change. Soon we shall step into the era of Cyborgs. The fear will loom when the devices start refusing to obey. Perhaps, act upon their own decisions. 

IoT Effects on Business

The thinking machines will open a new revolutionary era for businesses to excel. Especially online businesses will be the first to automate fully. They will better know the customers than the marketing and front office staff. The staff, however, will devise the policies under the command of machines analysis and feedback. 

The IoT will play a significant role in forming the future. The “smart fittings’ in homes, offices, and malls will collect and analyze human behavior with computer sensors revealing how you watch the TV and which program you like the most. The next generation of businesses will depend more on IoT to know their customers and set preferences to serve them to ensure their satisfaction. 

Getting a VPN Defense Plan 

Look around, and you will astonish to note gadgets and devices you were not even able to think about only five years ago. The smartphone has enabled everyone to take the conveniences and complexities in their pocket at the friction of their daily spending. It is but making saving on your mobility expenditure.

You can now order food, medicine, a commuting car, or anything you want. You do need, not to visit a doctor for consultancy. A Zoom or Skype meeting consultancy is easy to book through an app. I referred to complexities in the last paragraph. An intelligent cybercriminal can easily break the code to enter your smartphone security fence.

The incumbent need not break the door but can enter the home by deceiving your device, telling codes and commands that they are attuned to accept from you. The VPN probably is the last resort defense to date. It is, therefore, wise to have a pre-configured VPN router that protects everything at the source. Connecting your devices through a VPN router is like military-grade protection and a safer Internet experience.

Get Prepared 

The 5G-connected devices will introduce a next-level IoT. Everything around will drastically change. The sectors like healthcare, automotive, retail, and education will witness a wholly new pace of revival. Fast-track digitization will change everything you use. The unknown, unexpected, and totally-strange revolution is knocking at the doors.

Where do you stand? Are you ready to open the door to welcome the REV with open arms? Get ready because there is no other chance to avoid it. You have to live life in the world around you. Change yourself with everything changing around you. Waiting or thinking of any other thing around is not an option. Be brave and “Do in Rome What the Romans Do”. The whole of earth is everyone’s Rome now. 

Image by mohamed_hassan from Pixabay