Technology is at the heart of some of the major changes in business – and our lives – right now. From growing companies to making our homes smart, innovations in tech are moving fast. They are becoming part of our personal and professional lives.
In fact, the smart home market alone is set to be worth around $222.90 billion in 2027 – a market that didn’t exist until relatively recently.
So what exactly is the Internet of Things, and what’s in store for this innovative tech?
What is IoT?
Put simply, the Internet of Things (IoT) builds connectivity between devices that send and receive data over the internet. It can be used day-to-day around the home or on a broader scale within a business to get devices to ‘talk’ to each other.
It can help businesses manage money, update HR systems and streamline services. On a personal level, it can keep rooms at a comfortable temperature and secure your property – even if you’re nowhere near home.
Why do devices need to be connected?
One of the main reasons why we want devices to be connected is to gather information to provide data and reports. This can help to update how businesses operate.
But it can just make things a little easier. Thanks to IoT innovations, processes that took up time can be done quickly. This means that businesses can operate more fluidly, and employees are freed up to channel their efforts elsewhere. This, in turn, leads to more productivity.
While it may take a little getting used to, IoT can offer great benefits in a personal and professional capacity.
What are the security implications?
As with anything that connects to the internet, IoT-connected devices can be hacked. While IoT is becoming more advanced, so too are hackers.
To counter this, VPNs can be used across various devices, whether it’s a smart TV, a laptop, or a smartphone. Using a TV VPN helps to protect from data breaches and prevent hackers from accessing data.
But once you have this protective layer in place, you can feel more secure about using your IoT-operated devices.
The future of IoT
The Internet of Things has come a long way, but we’re only at the beginning. As we see more smart homes and smart cities, IoT connectivity is set to become part of our everyday world.
For instance, we saw an increase in the use of IoT after the arrival of Covid-19, when we needed more ways to connect with our colleagues. We made changes rapidly to adapt to the new normal – who knows where we’ll be in another three years?
