Although the IoT era is still in its infancy it already offers plenty of opportunities

Although the IoT era is still in its infancy it already offers plenty of opportunities. The Lora network of KPN has now been rolled out nationwide and many other telecom and private parties to do everything possible to connect both people and devices as quickly and successfully as possible. The physical infrastructure is ready, but for a successful application of the Internet of Things (IoT) software vendors should take the necessary measures.

End of the year will already 6.4 billion according to Gartner devices are connected to the Internet. Despite the fact that the growth potential of IoT is well known, software vendors still have difficulty finding ways to benefit from it actually.

Evidenced by another recent study that 69 percent agree with the statement that IoT their company offers new revenue opportunities. Same number of respondents, however, felt that there is insufficient clarity about the way companies there to capitalize. Asked about aspects that prevent companies to get started with IoT, respondents mentioned include security (48 percent) and lack of expertise (25 percent).

Solution for security issues
With the increase in new applications and smart devices will be more and more data are generated. This requires enhanced capabilities for storing and processing this data. More importantly, the need to protect data from hackers and smart devices increases dramatically.

Now households and local and national infrastructure become increasingly connected, companies can no longer secure, authenticated and encrypted connectivity to go. That goes for everything; smart refrigerators and light bulbs for connected cars. To reap the benefits of a connected environment should be first all the issues around the security obviated. The question is how vendors can ensure that their intellectual property is not subject to unauthorized changes and that all transmitted data remains secure.

protect intellectual property
Solving issues around the security of IoT should begin with new rules for software licenses, rights management and protection of intellectual property. The IoT environment, a server is needed as so-called 'interpretation hub acts and directs all possible components together. This server requires, in turn, to various levels of security, from infrastructure to the software that is embedded in each endpoint. This approach prevents hack- and tamper attempts and it permits to collect usage and performance.

Second, organizations should take measures to prevent reverse engineering, or finding out the design of software or hardware. To ensure maximum security they need encryption applied to all data traffic between devices. In addition, authentication codes must be strictly tied to physical hardware to protect credentials of people and devices.

Although there are different ways and levels to protect intellectual property, only one vulnerable spot open the door to a potential hack. The system is as strong as the weakest link in the IoT network. This weakness can be both a person and a technological component. The access should therefore be a top priority.

Third, if a hacker still manages to penetrate the system, should find it only encrypted data. It is vital to apply encryption to all data, including the software that is embedded in all sensors, networks and systems that collect, analyze and share data. In an encrypted environment is much more difficult for hackers to figure out the design of applications or to identify the specific details of the ICT infrastructure remotely.

New regulations indispensable
In addition to protection of intellectual property, requires a successful IoT deployment to a smart use of software that is embedded in sensors and equipment for the collection, compilation, analysis and exchange of all data generated. These new rules for licensing and rights management indispensable.

IoT creates an exponential growth in the number of endpoints to which software should be distributed. The search for a solution to the problems of software licenses will become the main trial within the IOT and cloud environments for enterprises, especially considering all devices, objects and applications that are added to the chain. This aspect will also represent major opportunities, especially for software vendors. To gain profound insight into how customers use the software associated IoT devices they can effectively design their software and change. This results in an optimal user experience and maximum profit.

Companies that have no regard for the profound changes that await their business model is, run the risk of being overtaken by a new generation of competitors from the old market principles wars. The vast majority of all connected devices and services points to a fundamental change in the way objects are managed and how they collect information. This is an opportunity that no company would have to pass up.