The
Internet of Things (IoT) is having a significant impact on modern companies.
Today,
connections don’t just happen between people; they’re also developing between
processes and “things” too. As the business environment grows
increasingly complex, IoT offers opportunities to track performance, improve
efficiency, and even enhance end-user experiences.
Before any
business can use the Internet of Things as part of their digital transformation
roadmap, however, it’s crucial for CIOs to be aware of what they’re getting
involved in. By 2020, Gartner predicts that there will be 20.4 billion IoT appliances to manage around the world.
Here’s what
the rise of IoT trends means for CIOs.
CIOs and the Internet of
Things: Handling data
CIOs have
always had a close relationship with business data.
By
gathering crucial information, these high-level professionals can make
important decisions about the future of a company, and the kind of technology
an organisation needs to pursue.
Lately, the
quantity of data that CIOs and other business leaders have had access to has
been growing. IoT for CIOs will mean even bigger amounts of information to sort
through each day. In fact, according to IBM, a single connected car produces around 25 GB of data each hour.
To stay on
top of their new connected environment, CIOs will need to figure out how
they’re going to house and manage the swarms of data that their devices are
connecting. This means looking at the following factors:
- How
will you store the data that you collect through IoT devices? You’re probably
going to receive information in both structured and unstructured formats from
connected things. CIOs will need to consider how they’re going to store that
information, and how they can make sure that they don’t run out of bandwidth.
Additionally, how accessible will you need that data to be going forward?
- How
will you classify the data you receive? As IoT trends continue to evolve, many
businesses are discovering the benefits of categorising data and using that
information to make informed decisions. Developing a system for categorising
information will be crucial for companies looking to unlock the true potential
of their business devices, as well as those who need to ensure they remain
compliant with regulations.
- How
long will you retain your data? With considerations like GDPR to think about,
IoT for CIOs will involve thinking about how long their company should store
information. Record retention strategies will keep you from overloading your
cloud usage limits and ensure that you don’t get into trouble with GDPR
standards.
The Internet
of Things will also push CIOs to consider how they can securely dispose of data
when it’s unnecessary. A strong IoT strategy isn’t just about keeping data
secure when you have hold of it but also making sure that you’re not leaving
any private information open and available to access when you dispose of it.
IoT trends and the
constant issue of security
The Internet
of Things can offer incredible opportunities to CIOs and businesses alike.
With
connected devices, you can gather information and insights that you wouldn’t be
able to access anywhere else. What’s more, the internet of things can even
improve things like business security, performance and cost efficiency.
However, IoT for CIOs will always include careful consideration of security
measures.
The
Internet of Things connects billions of devices to the internet, through
various data points – some more secure than others. Because IoT environments
have such a large attack surface, it’s crucial for companies to have the right
measures in place to keep vulnerabilities to a minimum.
For
instance, on a basic level, companies using connected devices like tablets and smartphones in a business can implement mobile
device management solutions that allow them to delete data and manage software
rollouts from a distance. It’s also possible to reduce access to connected IoT
devices by using two-factor authentication, biometric security, and other
measures.
To design
the best security strategy, CIOs will need to ask themselves:
- What
kind of risks do their sensors, devices, and databases face?
- What
kind of encryption can they put in place to reduce the risk of catastrophic
breaches?
- How
can protections be put in place to secure sharing and connectivity standards?
- How
can you integrate security into your IoT platform while following the existing
procedures and policies you have in place for safety?
Investing
in IoT can be an incredible opportunity for CIOs and business leaders. However,
like any new technology, it’s essential to have the right strategy in place. If
you’re thinking about exploring the benefits of IoT for your brand, reach out to Nice Network first.
We’ll help
you to discover the advantages of the IoT environment, and address the
security, privacy, and data management issues that your CIO needs to handle.