The IoT is growing at unprecedented rates. In fact, the Internet of Things (2018) research report from Business Insider Intelligence reveals a few shocking projections including that there will be:

  • Over 55 billion IoT devices by 2025,
  • Close to $15 trillion in aggregate IoT investment between 2017 and 2025, and
  • An acceleration in companies that plan to invest in IoT solutions

An increase in the production of smart devices is exciting in many ways. It makes life more convenient, it provides sleek solutions for saving time, and it presents more opportunities for easy entertainment. While it’s not surprising to learn more and more companies continue to invest in IoT, it is important to stop and wonder whether or not our society is really read for it.

In other words, before we launch full-fledge into accepting more ways to connect, should we stop to consider the consequences?

This post will provide some of the top concerns to consider as we move towards another level of hyper-connectivity.

Privacy

As smart technology continues to find its way into everyday devices, it’s important to consider whether or not it aligns with important privacy measures.

This is especially important considering recent breaches in security of the most popular tech companies including Facebook and Google. If top tech companies can’t seem to get it right, what might happen when members of society start submitting data to every company that offers an IoT solution?

The more the world becomes roboticized, the more possibility for hacks that could affect personal data, property, and identity.

As the IoT propels forward, so must measures to ensure privacy.

Security

In recent years, the FBI has warned parents of the dangers of smart toys. In a PSA, the FBI purported that toys connected with GPS tracking, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and microphones could provide criminals access to private information about families and children. A data breach of this type could lead to child identity fraud and exploitation risks. While it’s scary to imagine a data breach taking place in your own home, it’s possible. And, it’s not only children that can fall victim. With an increase in smart devices, everyone is potentially at risk of security problems.

This is especially true considering manufacturers of low-margin devices have less incentive and expertise than the larger organizations—organizations that have already experienced troublesome security breaches. These organizations include US Universities, large companies like Under Armor, and even US elections.

As society enjoys the benefits of an increase in hyper-connectivity, it’s also important to keep privacy and security in mind. Before purchasing a smart device, take the time to research potential security issues.

Wrap Up

There’s really no stopping it. As technology advances and the IoT grows, we will see an influx of smart devices and connectivity. While this provides many benefits of convenience, it’s also vital to consider whether or not we’re prepared for the potential privacy and security issues this new level of connectivity will introduce.