Challenges in Internet of Things Implementation

Internet of Things is a new connected world of billions of smart devices, sensors and applications. Since the diversity of applications and demand for a smart network of devices increases, the complexity also grows accordingly. What are the major challenges in Internet of Things implementation?

Major Technology Challenges in IoT

Smart Sensors

One the most important component of major IoT system is smart sensors. Industries, food processing, smart farming, retail, storage, healthcare and smart city applications are using smart sensors for data collection. These sensors have to be developed to support specific requirements and reliable real-time operation.

IoT sensors may vary from simple temperature sensors to complex sensors which extracts information from its surroundings. Design, development and successful implementation of wide range of smart sensors are often challenging task.

Security Challenges

Another major challenge of IoT is the security aspect. As the IoT system grows, the significance of the security also becomes a big concern. Simply hacking a household device does not cause much harm compared to shutdown of a power grid which cause power outage to a large geographical area.

Security upgrades are usually implemented by including additional security patches to the OS. IoT devices and system should support future upgrades / updates as well.

Fatal security failure could happen due insufficient security measures of IoT devices and gadgets when competitors within the industry trying to secure their position in the market. Since IoT technology has not been standardized, many small scale, medium scale and startups will try their part to become a player in the IoT business without enough security measures.

Privacy Challenges

Personal privacy is a significant factor in any system which collect user information. IoT devices collect personal information and transmitted via wired or wireless network. Collected information is stored in a centralized database and used for future needs.

Personal information of the consumer must be protected by avoiding any chances of unauthorized access and hacking. Sensitive information regarding a user’s habits, lifestyle, health etc could be misused if unauthorized access of data is possible.

IoT system should meet privacy requirements of each country’s regulations and make sure user privacy is protected.

Connectivity Challenges

Majority of the IoT devices would be connected to a wireless network for its specific requirement and convenience. There are many wireless transmission technologies used IoT system like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa WAN, SigFox, Zigbee etc… Each of this system has its own advantages and specifications.

Implementation of multiple technology platforms is challenging for developers since information has to be shared between devices and application.

Compatibility Challenges

Like any other emerging technologies, IoT is also growing in different areas to support wide variety of applications. As it grows faster, competition also increases and companies try to standardize their technology as industrial standard.

Any extra hardware requirement for compatibility will cause additional investments to the service providers and consumers as well.

IoT devices and networks must be compatible with all conventional transmission technologies. Compatibility of devices is an important and challenging topic while dealing with wide range of devices, applications, transmission technologies and gateways.

In order to have an efficient IoT infrastructure, technology has to be standardized, network protocols, transmission bands, data rate and processing need to be defined and monitored.

Other challenges

• Complexity: IoT is complex due to the wide are of applications. Every system has to be designed, tested and implemented according to its specification.
• Power: like all other smart system, IoT also requires power for its smart sensors, wireless transmitting devices and gadgets. It must be efficient in terms of power consumptions.
• Cloud access: most the IoT will be using a centralized cloud based process control system. In order to reduce latency and maintain real time connectivity in a cloud base system are challenging.

Conclusion

IoT will have to face many other challenges on the way to future as our requirements and technology gets complex every year. The demand for a smarter and efficient connected world will have to overcome all the challenges to emerge and sustain in the advanced technology era.