A Simple Outline Of IoT's Advantages And Disadvantages (Essay Sample)

Assignment
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Introduction
IoT is a technology that outlines the integration of devices and objects under common network connections e.g. the internet or IP networks (GSMA, 2014). In general, the Internet of Things (IoT) will increase the accessibility of information which will increase the efficiency of the processes undertaken using it. However, in the process of achieving these benefits, the industry will have to address the issues and challenges the technology faces such as data security and privacy. In light of these outcomes, a simple analysis is presented below on the advantages and disadvantages of IoT-based on the existing systems as well as the anticipated systems of the future.
A simple outline of IoT’s advantages and disadvantages
Advantages

Disadvantages

1. It encourages the communication of devices i.e. machine to machine comm.

1. In present time it faces compatibility issues

2. Improves decision making process due to the vast information available

2. Moreover, its highly complex to implement

3. Increase system automation and their control

3. Privacy and security concerns

4. IoT also increases monitoring services.

4. Personal safety issues

5. Saves time and money


6. As a result of the efficiencies highlighted, it increases the overall quality of life


(Sannapureddy, 2015) (Saxena, 2016)
An In-depth analysis:
Advantages
In the current world, the internet serves millions of people by connecting them to a vast source of information. Now when the supporting devices which are either computers, home accessories and automation system among others are integrated their communication will increase tremendously. Moreover, in this scenario the intermediary systems such servers will be eliminated to enable a direct connection (Internet society, 2015). This outcome will increase the efficiency of the devices since their access to information will be made readily available. Furthermore, their access will be facilitated by a wide range of networks such as IP networks and the most notable of them all the internet. These networks will result in ubiquitous connections that will offer high-speed and low-cost communication. Again, the outcome being improved data analytics, miniaturised systems and advanced economics outcomes.
A general analysis of the internet and other information analytic systems reveals one notable service, that of decision making. In essence, people such as managers use information as tools to make better decisions. This information may be in form of experiences recorded and stored in certain technological systems such as the internet. IoT offers the connected devices a wide range of experiences which facilitates their decision-making process. For instance, a refrigeration device will know the action to take when a certain commodity runs out e.g. milk since it has the information to guide it in the process. In return, this outcome will trickle down to the users (Arpita, Saxena & Bhadra, 2015).
Now, consider the end users who have more control as a result of the centralised systems that manage the overall networks. Essentially, IoT will be managed through the wireless infrastructure adopted. This infrastructure is as a result of the physical devices connected using the electrical components such as sensors and actuators. The outcome of these operational mechanisms is increased control and automation where minimal human intervention is used. Moreover, it increases monitoring services because of the central control which further saves on time as well as the resources involved (Sannapureddy, 2015).
Finally, as a result of these efficiencies and benefits, the users will have a better quality of life. For instance, simple tasks as shopping will be done automatically based on the specifications set by the users e.g. delivery of dairy products every morning. This outcome among many others increases comfort and convenience which facilitates a better life (Saxena, 2016). Furthermore, automated systems that are centrally controlled increase the management of life activities such as driving and doing house chores. Therefore, another substantial benefit of IoT is better management outcomes as already seen today where one can coordinate business activities remotely using e-mails and telephone communication.
Disadvantages
As seen with other technologies in the past, the initial stages of development are usually attributed to compatibility issues due to the lack of standards and operational principles. Today, there are no internationally recognised standards of using the IoT technology, which means there are no rules that govern the way devices/equipment should be tagged and monitored. Therefore, if widely implemented users will have varying results since some devices will fail to integrate with others as some will operate at certain principles for instance communication frequencies failing to meet the overall objective of integration (RF wireless, 2012). However, this setback is the easiest to overcome. Similar to other international standards, manufacturers will have to establish the necessary protocols to govern the production of electronic systems set for integration in the future.
The second disadvantage is that of complexity, particularly when you consider the operational principles and how the devices will be integrated. For one, all systems from users (human) to mobile devices will have some sort of sensors or actuators within them. When successfully integrated a lot of information will be available and considering the current availability, the application of IoT will require vast storage systems as well as analytics (Sannapureddy, 2015). Moreover, consider a daily application of IoT where two people from the same household are connected to their home infrastructure (which is the overall aim). The home system may alert both of a missing commodity such as milk which results in wastage. Therefore, fixing this problem among other complexity issues will serve as the major setback for IoT.
Now, to the most considerable challenges faced by information technology i.e. security, privacy and user safety. To date, IT still faces many problems with data security and privacy more so, at a time when people expose their information in different digital environments such as social media. Therefore, in an event where all devices are connected to each other, a valid concern is that of information leakage where one device exposes confidential details about the users to the affiliated devices (Internet society, 2015). IoT will have to assure the users of its ability to secure their data be it through stringent security measures that protect their properties and data streams. Furthermore, these measures will also have to apply to all devices as one poorly protected device could serve as an entry point for intruders which again outlines the complexity of the technology.
In addition to this, the potential and practicality of IoT depend on the strategies ...