Tag_Internet of Things-Smart Devices

What Are Wireless IoT Sensors and Why Are They Useful

2021-05-16

What Are Wireless IoT Sensors and Why Are They Useful? The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming our world in tremendous ways. By enabling everyday objects to communicate wirelessly, we can automate data exchange and create new efficiencies that positively impact lives and organizations. Underlying the IoT is wireless sensor technology, which allows us to collect information about surrounding environments over extended periods with little manual effort. Wireless sensors can be configured to measure a variety of variables, from air temperature to vibration. Overall, there are many different types of wireless sensors available in the marketplace. Many wireless networks contain hundreds, sometimes thousands, of wireless sensors. Already, these devices are used across a wide range of sectors, including retail, agriculture, urban planning, security, and supply chain management. In this article, we dive deeper into how wireless sensors work and explain why they’re so important for the IoT revolution. What Do Wireless Sensors Do? Wireless sensors gather data about local conditions and share findings with other powerful components or platforms for further processing. Sensors are typically distributed across large geographic areas and programmed to communicate with central hubs, gateways, and servers. One major advantage of wireless sensors is they require a low level of maintenance and a small amount of power to function. Sensors can support IoT applications for years before needing a battery change or charge. When it comes to building wireless networks, one of the biggest questions developers face is how to arrange wireless sensors in the field. Sensors, or “nodes,” must be distributed in such a way that supports the overarching objective of the network developer. How Are Wireless Sensors Networked? The two most common arrangements for wireless sensors are the star and mesh topologies. The “mesh” topology describes networks in which sensors connect to as many other nearby nodes...

What is IoT

2021-05-15

What is the Internet of Things, or IoT? A Simple Explanation. The Internet of Things, or "IoT" for short, is about extending the power of the internet beyond computers and smartphones to a whole range of other things, processes, and environments. Here's everything you need to know. The Internet of Things (IoT) market continues to grow with the increasing number of connected devices. These connected, or “smart,” devices can be found in every industry you can think of, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. You’ve probably encountered smart devices in your own home, even! Still, it might seem hard to picture how these devices make up the larger ecosystem that IoT is. You may be wondering, what is IoT, exactly? Although IoT is very vast, this is everything you need to know about the Internet of Things the next time a friend or a coworker mentions their smart cars, watches, or doorbells. What is IoT? If you just Google “What is IoT?” many of the answers are unnecessarily technical. Case in point: “The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.”—An unnecessarily technical explanation of IoT If you’re confused, you’re not alone if you’re confused. Most people neither want nor need to dive into the nitty-gritty of IoT. In this post, I’ll provide you with a simple explanation of the Internet of Things and how it works. Before we jump in, note that “The Internet of Things” and “IoT” can and will be used interchangeably. IoT Explained: Simple and Non-Technical You might be reading this on desktop or tablet, but whatever device you’re using, it’s connected to the internet....

IoT Security in the Era of Remote Work

2021-05-08

IoT Security in the Era of Remote Work? Arguably one of the largest corporate impacts of the pandemic is the shift in working habits and thus remote work IoT security. At the height of lockdown restrictions, remote working became the norm, and this continues to be the preferred working model for many employees even as offices have begun to open back up. For example, according to a recent Pew Research, 76 percent of employees who are working from home cite their preference as their primary reason for doing so. Post-Pandemic Remote Work As employees and employers alike settle into remote working for the long-term, it’s important that they stay abreast of emerging security concerns. When the abrupt pivot to the remote model happened two years ago, both enterprises and employees scrambled to ensure everyone and everything was connected. In the chaos, security was often an afterthought, but companies have an opportunity today to eliminate any lingering vulnerabilities and ensure a more secure remote model. IoT Security Concerns When the majority of workers operate out of a physical location, there are generally robust security procedures in place. It’s not always possible—or practical—to implement these when employees are working remotely. In addition, the WFH model introduces its own security concerns, ranging from weak passwords on personal computers, poorly secured wi-fi, or the family’s Alexa passing along malware. So, what can be done to address these vulnerabilities? Some helpful tips for both IT departments and employees include: Network Security Network security is another important consideration. Employees may be cognizant of security best practices in the office, but it’s not unusual for them to be much less vigilant at home. Companies with remote staff must educate them on home network risks, including the fact that many household products like baby monitors or smart TVs can introduce numerous security...