Internet of Things: Benefits and Risks Involved

In the last decade, we’ve been bestowed by the best. Be it smartwatches, GPS tags, or robotics, technology hasn’t refrained from blessing us. We’re more connected to technology than ever and everything is just a tap away.

Although, tech has limitless remarkable feats the one that stands out is the Internet of Things (IoT).

We may need hours, or even days to explore the benefits of IoT. From smart sensors making our homes safe to machines assisting in complex medical procedures, IoT is no less than a blessing for us.

However, benefits aside, IoT does have a dark side to it. This advancing technology comes at a price; our privacy.

To most, it may seem a profitable deal. But, the growing involvement of IoT in our lives should be a concern.

This article is dedicated to exploring some benefits of IoT, along with some major impacts that come with it. The purpose is to make an informed decision about whether the excessive usage of IoT devices benefits us or not.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

1) Benefits of IoT Devices

• Healthcare
• Gadgets
• Smart Cities
• Agriculture

2) Impacts of Using IoT Devices

• Data Leakage
• Cyber Attacks
• Data Tracking

3) Bottom Line

Benefits of IoT Devices:

Healthcare: 

Whether it’s drug development, patient monitoring, or real-time health tracking, IoT sensors have proved to be a boon for the healthcare sector.

To monitor vitals, such as blood pressure or heart rate, IoT sensors can be of great help. In case of any emergency, these sensors can readily inform the healthcare professional about the patient’s deteriorating condition.

Robotics, equipped with IoT devices have also emerged on the scene. Easing the complex surgeries and operations, they’re no less than a blessing for the healthcare sector.

Gadgets: 

Many people may not know about this, but if you’re wearing a smartwatch right now, it’s also an IoT. Or have you ever come across GPS tags for kids or elders? That also falls in the category of IoT devices.

If we look around our homes, most gadgets are IoT devices, making our lives easier. You may have heard about household robotics. They’re household bots, designed to share our household responsibilities. From cleaning windows, mowing the backyards, or keeping the house clean, they can pretty much do everything with impeccable accuracy.

Plus, to make our homes secure, IoT gadgets like fire, earthquake, smoke, and doorbell cams are also available to keep us updated about the surroundings.

But before moving on, IoT devices are useless without an internet connection. With a subpar internet, they work, but may not produce impeccable results. So, if you’re planning to use IoT devices, sort your internet connection first.

Just so that happens, we came across a quality Internet service provider Optimum. Providing lightning-fast internet with over a million free hotspot zones around the country, it’ll work like butter on the knife with your IoT devices.

Catering to English and Spanish customers alike, they can connect to Optimum servicio al cliente to explore reasonable plans and packages today.

Smart Cities: 

Apart from benefitting us individually, IoT devices are playing a major role in the overall betterment of society. From theft control to waste management, and traffic control, the concept of smart cities is thriving, all thanks to IoT devices.

IoT devices equipped with cameras are useful for monitoring a vicinity 24/7. What’s more, IoT devices are also quite useful  in water management of a city. Using sensor-based water management and treatment plants, these sensors can predict the water consumption of a city.

Agriculture: 

For so long, agriculture was one of the sectors neglected by many. However, thanks to IoT, farmers are now equipped with sensors that can detect soil moisture, temperature, and overall soil condition. This way, the overall yield may increase, enabling farmers to plant the right seeds at the right time.

Farmers can also keep a check on livestock’s health with IoT sensors. Usually shaped like a collar, these IoT devices keep a keen eye on livestock vitals. Plus, IoT devices can also put a virus outbreak to a halt by detecting the animals carrying the virus.

Moving forward, let’s explore how excessive usage of IoT devices gives birth to grave dangers.

Impacts of Using IoT Devices:

Data Leakage: 

IoT usually works with an interconnected network of devices. As the number of devices increases, the probability of data leaking through them increases too. With many IoT devices connected to our phones, we may store personal, health, or financial data on our mobile devices.

Cyber Attacks: 

As mentioned above, more interconnected devices mean more endpoints. And with more endpoints, it becomes easier for cybercriminals to attack us. They may get access to every device connected over a network by exploiting just a single device.

Data Tracking: 

In today’s world, data may be worth more than gold. With all the companies wanting to know our preferences, our data is constantly being tracked. It’s also a possibility that cybercriminals may simply hack our devices, extract data, and put a tag price on it to be sold online.

Bottom Line: 

While there’s no doubt that IoT devices have made our lives much easier, the risk involved cannot be ignored. As consumers, it’s best to limit ourselves when it comes to using IoT devices and hope that tech will once again step in to make IoT devices secure and sound.