网易100天---95、The Internet of Things: The Future

The Internet of Things: The Future

In just one year alone, we went from having 5 million IoT devices connected 
to the internet to billions.

A rapidly increasing number of gadgets are being turned into smart devices 
and as manufacturers roll out new products more quickly, little priority is 
given to security.

The Internet of Things: The Future

Passage 1
物联网的未来
The Future of IoT

From Pubnub · 226 words · 3 mins
IoT devices are becoming a part of the mainstream electronics culture and people are adopting smart devices into their homes faster than ever. By 2020, it is estimated that there will be up to 21 billion connected devices to the internet. IoT devices will be a huge part of how we interact with basic everyday objects.

In just one year alone, we went from having 5 million IoT devices connected to the internet to billions. The future is happening now, and these devices are getting smarter every day through machine learning and artificial intelligence. To prove that IoT is taking off rapidly, Target opened up a store in San Francisco that exclusively sells IoT devices. There is big money in the IoT space currently, and it will only continue to grow as technology improves.

The more data that IoT devices collect, the smarter they will become. Cities will transform into smart cities through the use of IoT connected devices. Think of smart traffic lights that collect data on traffic, and use that data to sync lights to peak traffic times.

Overall, this improves cities overall efficiency and saves the government money since everything can be remotely managed. Smart homes, thermostats, lighting systems and coffee makers will all collect data on your habits and patterns of usage. All this data will be collected to help facilitate machine learning.
Passage 2
物联网的未来安全
Is the Internet of Things Impossible to Secure?
From Securitymagazine · 420 words · 5 mins
Why is Securing IoT Technology Such a Big Challenge?

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Securing IoT devices is challenging for a number of reasons. A rapidly increasing number of gadgets are being turned into smart devices and as manufacturers roll out new products more quickly, little priority is given to security. Eventually we could see almost every home device connected to the Internet, not necessarily with any consumer benefit but instead geared towards data collection, which is incredibly valuable for manufacturers. A lack of awareness among consumers and businesses is also a major obstacle to security, with the convenience and cost-saving benefits of IoT tech appearing to outweigh the potential risks.

Another challenge is securing not only the IoT devices but also the networks over which their data is transferred. In the past, businesses haven’t always focused on building end-to-end security into the network. This is set to change as attitudes evolve, with 46 percent of organizations ranking ‘securing IoT within the organization as a high priority for 2018, according to the Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report.

What Happens Next?

So, is it really impossible to secure the Internet of Things? While it’s certainly a challenge, the industry is developing new ways to protect IoT devices from increasingly sophisticated hackers, and there will be significant opportunities for those working in the IoT security space. Blockchain may well be part of the solution, though a group effort will be needed to ensure that IoT technology evolves in a way that is both beneficial to consumers and businesses and secure from hackers.

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Education is also key and makers of IoT devices, ISPs and the government must play a vital role in boosting awareness of IoT security among consumers and businesses. At a government level, it may also be necessary to provide education to boost the digital literacy of policymakers. More regulations are needed to ensure that IoT devices adhere to a certain level of security, while manufacturers must develop clear privacy policies for their IoT devices and ensure that consumers know how to adjust the security settings. Even simple steps such as not setting default passcodes as “0000” or “1234” could help keep devices more secure in the future.

While security has too often taken a back seat in the development of IoT technology, manufacturers must begin to build protection into their devices. Network providers can also help address the IoT security threat by creating end-to-end infrastructure that meets industry-wide standards. Providers that offer a secure network will have a competitive advantage in the long run.