The Internet of Things is connecting more devices every day, and we're headed for a world that will have 24 billion IoT devices by 2020.
This growth carries several benefits, as it will change the way people carry out everyday tasks and potentially transform the world. Having a smart home is undoubtedly cool and will draw oohs and aahs from your guests, but smart lighting can actually reduce overall energy consumption and lower your electric bill.
New developments would allow connected cars to link up with smart city infrastructure to create an entirely different ecosystem for the driver, who is simply used to the traditional way of getting from Point A to Point B.
And connected healthcare devices give people a deeper and fuller look at their own health, or lack thereof, than ever before.
But with all of these benefits comes risk, as the increase in connected devices gives hackers and cyber criminals more entry points.
Late last year, a group of hackers took down a power grid in a region of western Ukraine to cause the first blackout from a cyber attack. And this is likely just the beginning, as these hackers are looking for more ways to strike critical infrastructure, such as power grids, hydroelectric dams, chemical plants, and more.
And aside from these security issues, the average consumer is concerned about his or her privacy. After all, if so much of the consumer's life is connected, then what is off limits?
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