I am hearing a lot of people use the term “Internet of Things”. Really? Is this a surprise that things are connected to the Internet, and not people? People do not direct connect – at least not at this point in time – to the Internet. Devices do and always have. The difference in the Internet of Things is that the type of device, housing the computer that connects to the Internet, has changed. It is no longer a dedicated box used for humans to access information and communicate with each other, it is also a computer housed inside your car, TV, Radio, phones, and even appliances maintaining communications with the manufacturer regarding any potential problems that may be surfacing.
Interestingly, I was reading an article today titled “Even refrigerators are getting hacked into now”, about how hackers are using these devices, cars, TVs and appliances, to send out malicious emails. It only stands to reason that the more devices linked connected, the greater the opportunity for someone to take advantage and use these device for other than what was originally intended. This also means that computer and information security must be elevated to a whole new level. When you buy your next refrigerator, you may want to inquire about its use of Wi-Fi and what security measure can be taken so it isn’t hacked or to ensure that the new gaming system you bought is protected against someone hacking in and watching you even when you are not playing a game.
In my view, the Internet of Things is an interesting term and when you think about it, an interesting challenge. As time passes and technology advances, we as humans get great benefit from all of this technology. Perhaps there will be a day when it becomes the Internet of People, where we do direct connect but until that time it is the Internet of Things and as such, the more we do, the more we need to pay attention and learn. If smart appliances are the way of the future, we need to be smarter, ask the right questions, and take precautions to ensure our security no matter what device is in use. Information security has now entered the home and our private lives in ways we could not even imagine a decade ago.
What say you? Do you have a story to tell? What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you have a topic of interest you would like discussed in this forum? Let me know. If you are looking for some great research information from our industry, feel free to visit our research site and download some of our Industry Watch Reports today at www.aiim.org/research
Bob Larrivee, Director of Custom Research – AIIM
Email me: blarrivee@aiim.org
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www.aiim.org/training
I will be speaking at the following events:
• 2014 AIIM Conference, April 1-3, 2014 in Orlando