It seems everything is connecting to the Internet – from cars to refridgerators to lawn mowers. The future of machine-to-machine technology seems inevitable. People are continuing to demand smarter applications and devices to fulfill their growing hunger for constant information at their fingertips. Now that the Internet’s reach is expanding beyond computers, companies are changing the way their workforce commutes, communicates, and collaborates.
Bring Your Own Devices
As personal devices proliferated, many companies prevented employees from connecting these devices to the corporate network. Then, corporations adapted and started permitting employees to connect their own devices to the corporate network. However, with the Internet of Things (IoT), companies have implemented more security measures to protect their business from hackers who are gaining access through personal devices connected to their network. As a corporation, you need to determine what you are willing to yield or protect when it comes to your business’ privacy and security. Implementing policies and having proactive responses to potential breaches and attacks can assist in decreasing any information from being stolen or compromised.
Changes in Collaboration
There was a time in the corporate environment that a company could lock down all access points. The organization had confidence that data was only on the corporate network or corporate provided machines and was secured appropriately. However, with the IoT, corporate data could reside on personal phones, tablets, webinar services hosted in the cloud, third-party cloud servers, or other avenues. It is the wide-reaching IoT that permits the organization to reach beyond its borders to evolved. However, with this evolution in services and abilities, the organization has to evolve policies, procedures, security, and risk strategy.
What the Future Could Look Like
The Internet of Things isn’t just limited to kitchen appliances that automatically turn on when you wake up. Rather, IoT could transform the workplace by reducing operating costs, saving electricity, and possibly building new revenue streams. Below are David Wong’s thoughts, a visual designer at Group SJR, on how the Internet of Things will change the workplace.
Energy
Lights and thermostats operate autonomously to save on energy costs, turning off automatically when everyone leaves for the day.
Security
Smart doorbells, locks, and surveillance systems will tell you who’s in front of the building anytime.
Smarter Analytics
More IoT devices mean more data and analytics on all aspects of the business to improve strategy and the customer experience. They can generate actionable information by running analytics software and services on data for industrial, retail, automotive, energy, and healthcare industries.
New Revenue Streams
Automated processes will allow for better business strategy keeping the focus on more research and developing new products.
Productivity
If a printer is running low on ink, it will order more on its own, saving the secretary time. If a smart machine isn’t working properly, then you will be notified.
Travel
Internet-connected cars give drivers a better sense of real-time traffic conditions and vehicle diagnostics to make business trips more efficient.
Inventory
Businesses will be able to trace goods in the supply chain with Internet-connected inventory that can display exact locations at all times.
Though the future of IoT may be impossible to predict, there are many possibilities that could be presented as devices continue to be developed.
Carson Inc. and Cyber Security
Our motto is finding what matters and controlling what counts. Don’t sacrifice your security for convenience. Carson Inc. has been helping its customers fight the battle against cyber threats for more than 22 years. Our team consists of Information Assurance (IA) experts with advanced degrees and technical certifications, including CISSP, CISA, LPT, GWASP, and ISO 27001. Our staff has in-depth knowledge of IT security statutory and regulatory guidance.
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