Welcome To The Internet Of Things
A new phrase has been circling the “tech world” in the last few months, “the internet of things” (IOT). Never heard of it? Don’t feel bad, according to a survey conducted by Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). Less than 6% said they had heard of it when asked “if they were aware of the term” (92% of those also stated that they had concerns about information being collected by internet devices).
Which is disturbing considering what the internet of things is.
techtimes.com describes the internet of things as:
“By definition, The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects accessed through the Internet, as defined by technology analysts and visionaries. These objects contain embedded technology to interact with internal states or the external environment.”
Here is a list from businessinsider.com that breaks down what “objects” are going to be internet ready.
* Kitchen and home appliances such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, and coffee makers that can keep track of when the milk is out and let you know when the clothes are dry.
* Lighting and heating products, including bulbs, thermostats, and air conditioners that maximize energy efficiency.
* Safety and security monitoring devices such as baby and assisted living monitoring systems, smoke detectors, fire hydrants, cameras, sensor-equipped drawers and safes, and home alarm systems.
* Health and fitness products that measure exercise, steps, sleep, weight, blood pressure, and other statistics.
* Intelligent traffic management systems, including toll-taking operations, congestion penalties, and smart parking-space management.
* Waste management systems, such as garbage cans and recycle bins with RFID tags that allow sanitation staff to see when garbage has been put out. “Pay as you throw programs” are also likely to decrease garbage waste and increase recycling efforts.
* Industrial uses, including Internet-managed assembly lines, connected factories, and warehouses, etc.
A large portion of this technology is already on the market. Smart appliances, smart watches (that monitor your statistics), smart street/traffic lights, smart toll systems, and even smart garbage bins are currently being sold and implemented.
The term “the internet of things” seems to be a re-branding of the smart grid. Which is already up and running nearly a decade.
Why would the smart grid need to be re-branded or packaged as something new?
Like all technology, the smart grid is a double edged sword. One one hand the innovations are quite amazing and are transforming everything that we do. One the other hand information about how these innovations can be used for nefarious purposes has been pouring out.
wired.com: March 2012: CIA Chief: We’ll Spy on You Through Your Dishwasher
“All those new online devices are a treasure trove of data if you’re a “person of interest” to the spy community. Once upon a time, spies had to place a bug in your chandelier to hear your conversation. With the rise of the “smart home,” you’d be sending tagged, geolocated data that a spy agency can intercept in real time when you use the lighting app on your phone to adjust your living room’s ambiance.”
dailymail.co.uk: November 2013: Is your TV spying on YOU?
“It sounds like science fiction but many new TVs can watch you - telling advertisers your favourite shows or even filming you on the sofa. And there’s no off switch!”
And most recently Edward Snowden stated that the information he released was “just scratching the surface” of what information is being gathered by the NSA.
All of these show that while making our lives a little bit easier, this technological revolution not only has the potential to create a surveillance grid. It already is!
No matter what name is put on it, smart grid, the internet of things, or any future name. It is the foundation of a technological surveillance state what would make Hitler, Stalin, and even George Orwell’s big brother extremely envious!
