Smart devices are taking the technology world by storm. Active IoT devices are expected to reach 10 billion by next year and 22 billion by 2025, according to IoT Analytics’ latest “State of the IoT & Short-term outlook” report. Along with this rise in connected devices comes some concerns from IT departments – slow WiFi, lack of data storage, and potential security threats. If your company is leveraging connected devices, you may need to consider how you are preparing for the future of the IoT boom.
Whether you have connected devices today or are planning for future rollouts, you need to consider the impact these devices will have on your wireless network. Aging infrastructure won’t be able to keep up with the rising demand for bandwidth and speed. When planning for IoT, be sure to take into account both your current and future needs. Knowing where you are today, where the technology is headed, and where your company needs to be in the next few years will help you design a network that will support your IoT initiatives today, tomorrow, and beyond.
We’ve all seen the increased number of cyberattacks over the past few years, and connected devices are not immune. Many IoT devices are designed with minimal or no security built-in, leaving your network, other devices, and data dangling like a carrot for cybercriminals. Creating a separate network for connected devices and equipping each device with strong, unique passwords can make it more difficult for bad actors to gain access to devices and the data they contain. You should also consider creating a guest network for personal devices of employees. ‘Accounting Annie’s’ smartwatch shouldn’t be connecting to the same network as your mission-critical data.
Speaking of data – IoT devices are collecting an astounding amount of data. Cisco estimates that IoT will generate more than 500 zettabytes of data per year by the end of 2019. Managing data storage for IoT devices is more complicated than just adding another server rack. Many devices are storing data outside of the core data center, forcing IT departments to pay closer attention to how data is secured, collated, and processed. When deploying your IoT devices, you need to consider how to best manage data collection and processing for maximum protection and control.
As your business strategy and plans continue to evolve, you must consider how you will scale, monitor, and manage your IoT ecosystem. Looking ahead to determine how your internal teams will support additional devices, data, and security is essential in planning for a successful IoT deployment. As more devices are expected to become ‘connected’ over the next few years, you may want to consider a third-party to help you navigate the wild world of IoT. LanYap Networks can help you do just that. Give us a call.
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