Internet of Things software development

The Internet of Things has tremendous potential, but it will only unfold through the interaction of isolated networks deployed to solve specific problems.

Although historically IoT solutions have been used mainly as elements of disparate systems, now more and more complex solutions are appearing on the market. And this is not surprising: according to IDC, the total global investment in solutions based on the Internet of Things was $ 737 billion in 2016, more than $ 800 billion in 2017, and investments will only grow.

Technological trends at the heart of the Internet of Things

For wireless data transmission, and, therefore, the effectiveness of the implementation of the Internet of Things, such factors as productivity at low speeds, fault tolerance, and adaptability are paramount. Here, the catalysts were, first of all, a high level of cybersecurity and the NB-IoT standard for building the Internet of Things, adopted by the world community, whose development and distribution led to an increase in the number and decrease in the cost of IoT devices.

In general, the development of IoT has become real thanks to technological trends driven by both the state and business:

• a rapid increase in the number of sensors and connected devices;
•  reducing the cost of data transmission, which made it possible to redirect investments into large processing systems;
•  development of cloud technologies and Big Data, which provide a flexible system for storing and analyzing data in the face of a constant increase in data volume;
• reducing the cost of computing power: processors, memory and data storage systems.

State-level IoT implementation

Nowadays, various public-private partnerships are popular, associated, for example, with energy service solutions for smart meters for housing and communal services, security systems, an intelligent transport system, in other words, with all manifestations of Smart City.

For example, in the electric power industry, the Internet of Things can drive significant change by digitizing the traditional electromechanical system.

The IoT segment is growing rapidly in the healthcare sector, especially with regard to online health monitoring, assistance in rehabilitation, and tracking the safety of medicines. Now that compact body sensors that do not require recharging for many months are able to measure activity, duration and quality of sleep, breathing, blood pressure, pulse, real-time physical monitoring will become the foundation for quality treatment and health programs.
The integration of technologies such as cloud services and IoT will help make the healthcare industry more efficient and save up to $ 290 billion, according to analysts at Vodafone, only due to the fact that doctors’ recommendations will be followed by patients much more carefully.

Smart solutions, automation and robotization of processes are gradually changing the niche of transport and logistics in general.

In general, among all the variety of consumer devices with Internet access, J’son & Partners analysts have identified four groups designed to optimally solve everyday problems:
control of IoT devices (smartphones, tablets, Smart TV and so on), smart home (smart resource management systems, security systems, smart home appliances, etc.), high-tech wearable devices (medical devices, fitness gadgets, wearable cameras with a network connection), consumer devices for a personal car (insurance telematics sensors, transponders for contactless fare payment).

How to secure the Internet of Things

Overall, IoT security has four components.

Remote communication security. The communication channel must be secured with encryption, two-factor authentication, and authentication so that devices know who to trust and who is a fraud.

Device protection. In addition to the initial integrity and reliability of the program code, it is important to ensure the security of connected devices in the future, that is, control of connections, protection against intrusions, analysis of potential threats, and so on.
Functional control. You should monitor the device even after a long time has passed since its launch: update the software in a timely manner, control threats and take them into account in new firmware.

Control of interactions in the network. Analytics systems will help to avoid threats, since they will make it possible to study consumer behavior on the network and track anomalies or suspicious activity in time.

These building blocks can be used to build a reliable security system that can prevent or at least mitigate threats to the Internet of Things, be it unforeseen loads or targeted attacks.

Prospects for the development of the Internet of Things

Although the Internet of Things has already penetrated almost all industries, at the moment the most developed consumer segment of the IoT market (delivery of goods and food, car sharing, smart devices).

The main factors affecting the development of the IoT market:

• the formation by the state of strategic initiatives to build digital enterprises;
• optimization of business processes;
•  integration of information technology with the operational activities of companies;
•  increased competition within industries.

The Internet of Things has become an important part of everyday reality. With its help, the interaction of objects, systems and people is truly improved, because it is IoT devices that become the starting point for the implementation of many other technologies, such as AI or ML, which allow deeper analysis of data and use it to improve the quality of life and form a smart ecosystem. more and more comfortable for a person.