Emergent Tech Arrow Internet of Things
Some Things just aren't meant to be (on Internet of Things networks). But we can work around that
Plus: Did you know 'shadow IoT' was a thing? It is
By Dave Cartwright 25 Jul 2018 at 09:04
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Networks city concept. Phtoo by shutterstsock

Analysis What exactly is the Internet of Things? According to Gartner and IDC, it's a network of endpoints capable of interacting with each other and the world via IP connectivity.

Consultant McKinsey & Company defines IoT as sensors and actuators embedded in physical objects, from roadways to pacemakers, that churn out huge amounts of data.

From the point of view of an IT pro on the sharp end, it's more than that: it's a set of network-connected devices that are more eclectic than ever before, and that weren't necessarily originally intended to be connected to the network.

So how do you manage a Network of Things so it keeps working and stays secure? IoT might be a new and diverse idea, but the principles for managing it aren't. In fact, you can draw on existing techniques and practices to see you right.
Question every type of device

It may sound a little odd, but when you're considering how to manage IoT devices, decide first of all whether you actually want to have them at all. For example, a former colleague of mine has the option of adding Ethernet adaptors to the emergency generators on his data room but has decided not to – simply so the vendor's engineers have to visit to do maintenance rather than being allowed to break and crash things from afar.