I have been recently been involved in a number of projects around and about the Internet of Things (IoT), smart solutions, sensors or remote control endpoints (e.g. traffic lights, cameras) and their connectivity (see Wikipedia for a basic explanation.
Initially I was wondering what IoT is all about. Is IoT like many fashions in the IT industry before (e.g. e-business, SOA, big data, virtualisation) or is it different?
The reason I have asked myself is because most of those previous trends have been announced as fundamental changes, revolutions, game-changer and paradigm shifts, while most of the time there was much smoke about very little. There was hardly any shift. The innovation was never that innovative. The IT landscape only became more complex. The expected revolution never came.
In order to collect my thoughts and put them in order I have create a presentation which I would like to share here.
Bottom line: IoT is different but not in as much as only in technology terms. There is a large part of combining some new and a lot of existing technologies in very innovative ways.
The main impact is however in the following areas:
1. The new and complex ways of doing business.
2. An increased relevance of legal aspects.
3. A change what users expect from IT and IoT in specific.
4. The extension of information security from protection and defence into policing and enforcement
5. The extension of information security to include requirements and considerations of operational safety.
It has become apparent to me that this time it is different because there is a clear impact for people using technology, not just a technological change. IoT is different and will change not only the IT industry but business and social life as a whole.
Just have a look how I think it could impact you. I hope you are entertained and inspired.