Securing The Internet of Things

Oleg Logvinov, Chair, IEEE Internet Initiative at IEEE, based in United States participates in Risk Roundup with Jayshree Pandya to discuss “Internet of Things”.   Introduction Along with the ever-changing definition, nature and purpose of computers, the continued evolution toward higher computing power, cheaper processors, faster communication networks, and rapidly increasing global connectivity has enabled a shift from desktop to laptops, to mobile phones, and now everyday connected objects, called “Internet of Things” (IoT). When almost any physical device, object, or thing can now be internet-enabled and linked it to additional computing power and analytic capabilities that make it “smart”; it creates limitless potential and possibilities for each nation: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA). It is because of this potential that billions of physical devices are expected to join the global digital network in the coming years. As a result, there is a growing excitement that “The Internet of Things (IoT)” will bring nations the next industrial revolution because of the way it will change the way, we the people, will live, work, entertain, shop, and travel, as well as how each NGIOA will interact with each other within and across nations. This brings a number of opportunities as well as risks for each nation: its governments, industries, organizations, academia and individuals (NGIOA-I). Of all the technology trends that are taking place right now, the IoT brings the most complex challenges for which perhaps no nation is prepared for. While the “Internet of Things” has great promise, the governance, regulatory, business, policy, operational and technical challenges must be tackled before these systems can be widely embraced across NGIOA.  Now is the time for decision makers across NGIOA to structure their thoughts about the potential impact, opportunities and risks that are likely to emerge from the “Internet of Things”. IoT Potential A transformational change is happening that will not only alter the face of the cyberspace, world wide web or internet as we know it, but also the very structure and formation of nations: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA) forever.  In the coming years, each component of a nation: that is government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA) will hopefully strive to deliver quality products and services in increasingly complex digital global environments and will look at ways to apply “Internet of Things” technology to find new value for its customers, clients, and citizens, aiming to enhance not only governance capabilities, but management capabilities, efficiency, quality, convenience and streamline processes accordingly. It would be interesting to see what applications will emerge across nations that would or could help NGIOA, individually and collectively achieve their goals of a digital global age. * What will be the role the “Internet of Things” will play with each component of a nation (government, industries, organizations, academia)? * What will be the nature of changes that will be seen across each component of a nation? * How will entities across NGIOA start tapping into the potential of IoT technology? While there are some indicators of IoT activity around a few areas: like smart cities, smart homes, smart enterprises, smart parking and smart waste, this is still a largely untapped industry potential across NGIOA. To fully reap the IoT’s potential benefits, each component of a nation will need to rethink and re-visualize how they can shape the digital global age—that would basically require identifying new models fit for a digital global age and adopting the technology to form perhaps a “dig...