The Future of IoT
The Internet of Things, better known as IoT, will have huge implications on our future particularly in the areas of security and big data analytics. Its no secret that as technology becomes more and more interconnected information security will be a growing concern. Embedded Systems manufacturers like Atmel and Intel have already begun building models and architectures for securing IoT. However the scary reality of security is that there will always be zero-day vulnerabilities within an infrastructure.
Throughout the history of information security, zero-day vulnerabilities have always been the major catalyst for security innovations. For example, the Sony PSP and PS3 systems in their first models both had critical security flaws that allowed arbitrary code execution on the kernel level; meaning hackers had complete access to the systems. Sony could only mitigate these issues by manufacturing new models and pushing numerous updates, which by then were too late and very cost-ineffective for the consumer. When the PS4 was released Sony was able to implement tougher security measures built from their past mistakes, and even then hackers eventually were able to gain kernel access.
For the future of IoT this is very scary, being that the information at stake may be much more important than video game back-ups. Who knows what kind of zero-day vulnerabilities will exist as the popularity of IoT infrastructures rises. Are the precautions manufacturers taking enough for the future of IoT? If we cant prevent zero-day vulnerabilities how can manufacturers aim to mitigate them? The answers to these questions will ultimately define how IoT will affect our future.
I believe however that IoT will benefit us in the long run. Manufacturers are already taking measures to fortify their new systems from the embedded level to the application level, using a tentative mixture of solid security schema and new innovative techniques. The new Atmel SMART ARM-based MCU’s implements secure boot with on-the-fly encryption/decryption, protecting sensitive proprietary data while still using strong conventional cryptographic algorithms. Intel’s new model for IoT security is also very promising, applying a combination of hardware level security and network filtering, Intel’s model aims to protect IoT communications from edge to cloud.
Our future is bright with IoT. The data IoT can provide will open new doors for society and science. Before, application developers where limited to the amount of user metrics available, but with the advent of IoT, quantifying large user data sets will become much easier with big data analytics. Imagine if scientist could use the information from sensors around the world to map disease gradients that could lead to new correlations and stop outbreaks before they happen.
Beyond science IoT can provide robust data sets that can improve both the public and private sectors. Placemeter, a local NYC start-up, developed a light weight sensor that uses machine learning for Intelligent Object Classification in real-time. Their sensors allow companies to quantify customer patterns giving store-fronts the upper edge in improving product marketing and customer relations. Placemeter’s sensors also have civil implications allowing for traffic patterns to be measured with great resolution helping the city make smart improvements that promote safety and efficiency.
Technology and innovation must always move forward, in the immortal words of President Franklin Roosevelt “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” There will always be a battle for information security and we will always triumph that fight with profound solutions. For what IoT will bring us in the future it is far beyond worth it. IoT will break barriers for us allowing not only our devices to be smart but our world as well.