IoT: Redefining Connectivity and Consequences
Introduction
We live in a digital world where there are 17.08 billion connected IoT devices. This figure is expected to almost double by 2028 with an estimation of 29 billion devices.
An Internet of Things (IoT) device is defined as an interconnected digital system that is made up of a variety of independent computing devices. Without realising it, these connected devices have crept into almost all aspects of our lives. Now some of them are ones we can’t live without!
But are these devices good for us in the long run? It can’t be good that were dependent on some of them. Or are we overreacting? A little convenience can’t hurt. Surely?
The dangers that come with convenience
One of the problems people have with all these unnecessary devices having an internet connection is the dependency we could build on them. Do we really need our egg tray connected to the internet just so we know how many eggs we have?
Consider this incident:
a duo of tourists inadvertently submerged their vehicle in a lake while blindly adhering to GPS directions in Hawaii. While this case is certainly an outlier, it underscores a broader truth. Blindly depending on these machines could prove fatal.
A study conducted by Jeff Robbins revealed a similar case where European and American truckers blindly followed their GPS, resulting in the tops of their trucks being shaved off by low overpasses.
These incidents are reminders of the consequences of over-reliance. As we embrace IoT, it becomes crucial to reflect on its long-term impacts. These real-world examples highlight the importance of striking a balance between the convenience afforded by IoT and the necessity of human decision-making in effectively navigating modern challenges.
As we increase these devices in our lives for a matter of convenience, we are increasing our attack surface which makes us more vulnerable to cybercrime. Which brings us to our next issue with IoT, the glaring lack of effective security.
There are countless tales of criminals breaching networks through these very devices due to something as simple as companies negligently using default username and password on their IoT devices.
In a chilling video shared below, a mother recounts a harrowing experience where a criminal infiltrated their baby monitoring device, threatening to kidnap their child. It’s a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities we face in our increasingly connected world.
A recent study into the impact of IoT security labelling, determined that customers showed a willingness to pay more for devices with security labels, suggesting that cost may not deter them from prioritising security. A report completed by PSA tells us that businesses are prioritising safety with 75% of the business leaders agreeing that security is more of a priority than it was 12 months ago, and 39% said this was because security is at the forefront of consumers minds.
IoT devices as well often lack updates once the device is purchased and with companies constantly producing new IoT devices, who could expect otherwise. Countless of these devices have been compromised from baby monitors, to Ring cameras, Nest thermostat, August smart lock and the list just goes on…
Un-patchable devices are flooding the market, and they aren’t just causing issues at home. There have also been cases where these IoT devices have been used to launch DDoS attacks. In particular the case with the Mirai Botnet in 2016, in which it managed to cripple Dyn servers and brought huge companies down like PayPal, Twitter, Sony, Amazon and many more.
Stricter regulations must be put in place for companies producing IoT devices. The UK Government has taken steps in this direction, particularly addressing concerns such as pre-set passwords and sudden discontinuation of security updates. However, more strict accountability measures are needed for companies selling compromised devices. Consumers seeking convenience in their lives (dependency aside), unknowingly introduce significant vulnerabilities into their networks. They deserve transparency regarding potential security risks and the inherent dangers these devices can pose. Increasing awareness among consumers about these security challenges is crucial in safeguarding their digital lives and privacy.
Its not all doom and gloom
Don’t worry, there are definitely benefits to the development of IoT devices in our society! One example of this is healthcare IoT devices.
Wearable health gadgets and remote monitoring devices have the potential to reposition the health care system from a hospital-based environment to a personal- centered environment. Wearable health gadgets and remote monitoring devices can allow for a more efficient communication between the doctor and patient beyond the physical boundaries of the hospital. This is ideal for people with a chronic illness who may need long term monitoring.
It can also help with early detections of potential issues. There have been cases where an Apple watch has alerted its user to seek medical help due to a high heart rate and that’s just an Apple watch! The potential for IoT devices in the health sector could revolutionise the way things are done.
Another way in which IoT devices can improve our lives is through agriculture. One major problem with farming at the moment is how unsustainable it is. IoT helps us address that.
Farms around the world account for 70% of all water that is consumed globally. Of that 70%, 40% is lost to the environment due to inefficiency. (Government for Science)
IoT can actually be used to help combat this waste and produce more efficient farming as seen in the picture below.
IoT-based agricultural machinery can help improve crop productivity and reduce grain losses through the use of proper mapping. Proper mapping allows farmers to know where to best map their fields for aspects such as fertilizing, irrigation and nutrition. Precision agriculture is another aspect in which real-time data is collected and ran through predictive analytics in order to help make smart decisions to maximise yields and decrease waste.
Conclusion
The integration of IoT devices into our daily lives brings both positives and negatives to our digital society. While these devices offer unparalleled convenience and transformative potential, they also introduce significant challenges, particularly concerning cybersecurity vulnerabilities and privacy concerns. Governments and businesses must collaborate to establish robust security standards, ensure responsible IoT development and raise public awareness of the associated risks with letting these powerful devices into their lives.
Reflection
In order to reflect on this module, I am going to use the Gibbs model of reflection.
I first decided to take this module due to the negative outlook I had been having on technology as of lately. This was because of the negative impacts I have seen it have on myself and others. I wanted to ground my thoughts and understand the complications that we face when living in a digital society and how we can navigate them. When I saw as well that the modules assessments were set in blog post form, I thought the assessments would be much easier than writing an essay.
However, I quickly found that this was not the case at all. I have constantly been taught throughout my educational career to write in a formal way. So, to now try and make the change was a lot harder than I thought it would be. In terms of content, I found some of it difficult to read through as a lot of complications come with living in a digital society. However, it was good to be aware of the issues first of all, and to see how exactly this technology can be used for good.
Before starting the module, I was scared about our future as digital citizens as technology can be so unpredictable and people using technology can be even more so. However, now I am on the other side of this module, I can say I feel better about my future. Although technology can be used in bad ways, it can equally be used in as many good ways if not more. I just have to trust that the right people will use it in the right ways.
Reflecting back on when we first started the module, I found writing frustrating as I found it difficult riding the line between being fun to read and equally as informative as possible. However, through personal feedback and more reading online, I have managed to hone my blog writing skills which has been an interesting experience.
I think what went well for me in this module was the balanced look at each topic. This helped remind me to take an analytical look at things and see the positive as well as the negative. In the future I won’t underestimate a different style of assessment as they can just be as hard, as you may be teaching yourself a new skill (like I was).
