Everywhere you look at the moment, you’ll see people extolling the virtues of Internet of Things (IoT) adoption. But as attractive as the theory sounds, you’ll know from past experience that no new tech integration comes without challenges. And this can be a significant deterrent. So, today we’re going to be looking at some of the potential challenges associated with IoT integration, and the best ways to confront them.
The integration of IoT tech with legacy systems has been one of the greatest issues for businesses. And has arguably slowed the uptake of the new tech in many instances. Often necessitating the temporary decommissioning of equipment while devices have been physically embedded within machines. A costly procedure than ran the risk compromising the future performance of the equipment.
A lot has changed very quickly in IoT tech. With the Covid-19 pandemic massively accelerating development. Now, in a huge number of areas, IoT devices have shrunk. Many are no larger than a postage stamp. And they can function without any legacy disruption. Operating wirelessly, with long-life batteries, they don’t even need to be worked into your energy system. It’s quick, fuss-free, and removes all compatibility and interoperability concerns.
Security has become one of the greatest priorities for businesses in recent years. With hacking producing endless security breaches and bad news stories across sectors, putting more data online through IoT and machine to machine (M2M) communication can feel like an unnecessary risk. And that’s totally understandable. But there are multiple ways in which you can mitigate that risk.
· To start with, you can ensure that you’re working with a secure network. All of the traditional endpoint security features remain valid. So, antivirus, firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, and anti-malware should all be in place.
· Use IoT data encryption to further protect all of the information passing between devices throughout your organisation.
· Only employ M2M SIM cards. Created specifically for M2M communication, these SIM are designed with additional built-in security features, with many providing a private APN (Access Point Name) accessed through a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to ensure that you have a secure tunnel for data transfer. This prevents any unauthorised data access.
· You can also select IoT devices that allow for the implementation of user management features, such as two-factor authentication, biometrics, and digital certificates.
For roaming and field IoT devices – perhaps those used in the logistics sector, or for the capturing of weather data – a major issue is the lack of connectivity. The internet isn’t yet everywhere. This can render IoT devices useless. Leaving blanks in data and preventing the accurate tracking of assets.
But this is another area that can be remedied with the use of M2M SIM. Unlike traditional SIM cards, M2M SIM are designed to tether onto the strongest available network at any given time. Regardless of its origin. This means that if there is even the smallest signal to be had, your data can still be sent and received.
The IoT – and its applications – is in a constant state of evolution right now. It’s getting better, faster, with a broader remit and simpler interface. System integration still presents problems and expense. But it also presents massive opportunity. And it’s now considerably easier to take advantage of that opportunity if you select your IoT tech and connectivity systems wisely.
Get in touch to find out more about how M2M SIM can enhance your IoT integration.
New Paragraph