Internet of Things

Why simplicity beats jargon every time

In the words of American author and motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, “complexity is the enemy of execution”. Translating even the most complicated of topics into clear, understandable language is vital to getting things done. Crosser, is designed with this philosophy in mind. Here, Crosser’s CMO and co-founder Johan Jonzon, explains why the company battles against IoT jargon. Industrial IoT projects are complex engagements. OT (Operational Technologies), IT and Data Science businesses are working together on the same projects, adding buzzwords, abbreviations and technical terminology to the jargon. All, of course, with the same goal — but different angles, meanings and preunderstandings. Academic research around the use of science and technology jargon indicates that it impairs a person’s ability to process scientific information, which can result in a greater resistance to persuasion, and an increased perception of risk. If people don’t understand a new technology, they are less likely to adopt it, even if it could be beneficial to business. A cloud of confusion The world of industrial IoT is riddled with buzzwords and acronyms that can leave non-experts in a cloud of confusion. Exacerbating the situation further, the same words are used to refer to different concepts. Take the phrase edge computing, for example. The concept of edge computing is the same across all sectors — to bring the processing closer to the devices that generate the data — but its physical positioning and applications vary. For example, within telecommunications, the edge is described as the last physical point of connection in cellular networks. In IT, the edge is somewhere between the data source and the cloud, depending on the use case. And within the OT sector, edge is often the first processing point after the machine. On the application side, the edge is used as the processing point for analytics, actions and sending notifications but also for integrations and as an abstraction layer for the machine data. The edge can also be a very good position for your advanced machine learning algorithms. One easily understands that here is a risk of misunderstanding. The confusion is confirmed in the data. A 2021 McKinsey survey of industrial company executives concluded that, despite two thirds of respondents using some form of cloud technology in their operations, around 50% found its implementation more complex than initially expected. This buzzword confusion also adds complexity to the customer’s buying experience. Every vendor can claim edge abilities on a generic level, because there are so many solutions that fit into the concept. So how do you decide which vendor is right for a designated project? The use of jargon is just a barrier to communication, preventing the technology from reaching businesses it could benefit. Making the complex simple Avoiding jargon in the world of edge computing and streaming analytics is a valuable tool for enabling non-experts to understand the technology, but it only solves half the problem. Simplicity must be carried through to the platforms themselves, to allow users to operate the systems without extensive background knowledge and training. Handling huge amounts of data in real time can be challenging under even the most favorable of circumstances. However, the situation is made worse by the global IT skills shortage. According to data collated by IT training company Global Knowledge, in 2020, 78% of managers reported an IT skills gap within their business. There is simply not enough talent to fill global IT vacancies, which is preventing businesses from benefiting from technological advancements. What’s more, technology is developing at a rate faster than the end user’s ability to learn how to use it. So, even businesses with software developers in house will struggle to keep up. In response to this, Crosser’s Flow Studio is a low-code solution, turning existing OT and IT personnel without programming skills into citizen developers — developers without formal training or coding knowledge - enhancing the users operational and functional knowledge instead. The modular system uses a drag-and-drop methodology to allow employees to easily construct data flows with ease, from an ever-growing library of pre-built modules. The design of the Flow Studio is intuitive and simple, enabling collaboration between several business divisions, including IT professionals, data scientists, product specialists and maintenance staff. By removing unnecessary complexity, the Flow Studio gives non-developers the ability to innovate without long or specialized training. Edge computing technology is technical, but it doesn’t have to be complex. As an industry, we need to demystify our technology and its applications by eliminating overuse of jargon and keeping things simple. By adopting simplicity, Crosser’s products and services empower businesses that can truly benefit from them across industry and beyond.

New ABI research white paper shows the growth of LoRa

Semtech Corporation has announced the release of a commissioned white paper, “LoRa WAN and Multi-RAN Architecture Connecting the Next Billion IoT Devices,” from global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research. The report explores the rapid growth of massive Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and real world applications leveraging multi-RAN architectures. Vertical market evaluation was a key component to the whitepaper research. ABI Research found that the LoRaWAN protocol is the leading license-exempt low-power wide-area (LPWA) network technology addressing massive IoT vertical markets, which include metering, cities, asset tracking and logistics, commercial building automation, and home. In addition to vertical market overviews, the white paper explores five active LoRaWAN network implementations based on multi-RAN architectures: Orange enables device and data management for Cellular and non-Cellular LPWA network technologies, with the Orange Live Objects platform. JRI-MySirius uses sensors leveraging LoRaWAN and a Cloud-based application platform to provide turnkey temperature monitoring for fixed and mobile assets.Ercogener developed an end-to-end asset tracking solution that supports the LoRaWAN protocol and is leveraged by France's national state-owned railway company.MultiTech’s programmable gateway is the original gateway integrating LoRa® for industrial IoT applications with support for Ethernet, 2G, 3G, 4G-LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth/BLE, and GNSS.Chevron implemented a LoRaWAN network infrastructure to digitize a series of oil and gas fields. “The future of IoT connectivity requires flexible solutions that address a wide spectrum of vertical IoT applications, use cases and device types,” says Marc Pegulu, Vice President of IoT Applications in Semtech’s Wireless & Sensing Products Group. “LoRa and the LoRaWAN open protocol enable interoperability and seamless connection between the many devices that can exist in a single environment. As a technology provider, our job is to create solutions that make deployment and use easier for people." The study concluded that LoRa devices will play an important role as a key LPWA network technology now and in the future as the IoT continues to connect physical devices to digital assets. Additional key takeaways highlighted in the white paper include: 5G and non-cellular network technology will co-exist: In the future, LoRaWAN and 5G will co-exist in the form of hybrid networks or multi-RAN architectures. Full 5G will take longer than expected: 5G is not capable of addressing massive IoT in the near term. 5G networks and the device hardware supporting the Release 17 specifications will not be commercially available until early 2024.LoRa leads in LPWA technology: By 2026, LoRa is expected to be the leading non-cellular LPWA network technology and will account for over a one-fourth share of all LPWA network connections and more than half of all non-cellular LPWA connections. Total non-cellular LPWA connections in 2026 are expected to reach 1.3 billion. LoRa is moving beyond enterprise applications: Consumer applications leveraging LoRa are beginning to take off. Traditional architecture is witnessing competition from LPWA network technologies, providing direct device-to-Cloud connectivity for a growing number of smart home devices.

Data collected from IoT devices will breed the next new Uber or Netflix

What organisations can do with data is set to dramatically shift in 2021 and beyond, according to IoT connectivity specialist Eseye, as more IoT devices are deployed and the data they generate dwarfs that collected through traditional online channels. Eseye predicts that data mined from user interactions with things rather than digital services will create a wealth of rich data, bigger and more detailed than online data ever was, enabling new business models, the creation of new products and services and new levels of understanding of human behaviour. Services like Amazon, Facebook and Netflix capture a wealth of consumer usage and behaviour data which is stored, analysed and used to digitise and reinvent shopping, social interactions and entertainment as custom personalised, data-driven services. This has had an extraordinary effect on the creation of new personalised services and new disruptive business models. As radical a change as this was, now IoT data is set to power unprecedented levels of innovation over the coming years. According to Eseye, this innovation will be seen not just in the next generation of classic IoT devices, which will become much more interactive and personalised to real time behaviour, but also in the development of a new set of devices created through the fusion of multiple sensors, cellular connectivity to the cloud and advanced AI techniques. This combination will enable near real time predictions of what services should be dynamically configured into those devices to maximise revenue and collect even more data and deliver huge value. “IoT companies that see the potential, not just in the device but also in the data collected, will be the big winners,” comments Nick Earle, CEO, Eseye. “As we come out of the pandemic, organisations will be looking for new ways to innovate, and IoT data has the potential to disrupt business models and processes in practically every industry. Disruption, by its nature, comes from places we haven’t even dreamed of, but it can be radical. For example, the people who invented the internet could never have predicted the emergence of services such as Uber and Netflix. Likewise, we can only speculate around what IoT entrepreneurs will come up with once they have access to data from billions of devices capturing rich intelligence on every aspect of our lives and businesses. We predict it will be an even bigger wave of innovation than the first wave of IoT adoption.” One of Eseye’s customers is already using rich data to predict diseases before they happen. A leading digital therapeutics provider manufactures and sells a next-generation clinical-grade wearable, which delivers actionable insights powered by machine learning, deep neural networks and AI on real time disease trajectory. This helps clinicians predict and prevent serious medical events. For example, chronic diseases, like heart failure, can lead to billions of pounds of unnecessary hospitalisations and re-admissions. Therefore, the potential benefits across the healthcare sector if this model becomes widely adopted are enormous. Another example is how IoT is helping vulnerable people remain independent through condition monitoring, whereby such devices use personal health data combined with behavioural patterns, and analytics predict when changes in care regimes might be required. These are just two examples of millions of potential applications. “In 2020 the pandemic has accelerated many of the IoT trends we predicted last year. That’s because an economic slowdown, like we are experiencing, puts enormous pressure on enterprises to reduce costs and increase customer delivered value. IoT does both of these things, and so the pressure for adoption is growing. This sudden need for new technological approaches has happened at a time when IoT is reaching a level of cost and maturity that allows for mainstream adoption. This will increase the ability to collect rich data from these next generation IoT devices, delivering unimaginable insights to power innovation in years to come,” adds Nick. This is just one of 10 IoT predictions that Eseye is forecasting for 2021 and beyond. Others include how IoT can deliver real time visibility into the food supply chain with technology advances such as printing IoT circuits, batteries, and cellular connectivity onto flexible labels. It’s exploring how IoT – as it becomes more integrated into consumer and industrial products – can provide brands with a direct line to customers, collapsing supply chains to bring original equipment manufacturers closer to consumers. Furthermore, Eseye is also analysing how mobile network operators (MNOs) are adapting to compete globally and why a federation approach creates a more viable economic model for MNOs to deliver IoT, as well as the emergence of virtual MNOs. Eseye announced its global alliance of MNOs, The AnyNet Federation, in 2019 and over the last year the AnyNet Federation has grown to 12 MNO members, a number which Eseye expects to further grow in 2021.

Tech firm strengthens asset recovery links

A leading Internet of Things (IoT) solutions company has appointed a new head of global risk as part of its expanding security operations. And the recruitment bolsters the firm’s fledgling reputation in asset recovery, which has amounted to a staggering value of over £5m across the past four years. Seeking to enhance business protection following a rapid increase in high-value asset attacks across the UK, Smarter Technologies has enlisted Mark Roche into its ranks. A highly trained specialist with over 20 years of experience in covert operations, Roche is considered one of an elite group trained to manage high-value asset recovery operations. “In the cat-and-mouse game of fighting criminal activity, it’s our goal to always be one step ahead of the criminals,” comments Roche on his appointment. “We are building and strengthening an expert team to tackle asset recoveries across a global network.” Smarter Technologies already works with recognised institutions such as the Ministry of Defence and Royal Airforce, delivering real-time asset tracking through its secure Orion Data Network. And now with Roche among the ranks, the business is set to excel in helping SME's, blue chip companies and police forces across the country. “The issue is that police forces sometimes don’t have the resources to deal with asset theft" adds Roche. “When it comes to their resource allocation and prioritisation between the theft of an asset and a case that involves potential preservation of life, the latter will always come first.” “My process involves liaising with police force wherever that asset was stolen from, working with the troops on the ground and locating the tracker to a precise location.” One police force that is already familiar with the benefits Roche can bring in his field is Essex and Kent Police. “I have worked with Mark Roche for a number of years, and he has had significant impact in reducing crime and improving recovery rates,” says Jason Hendy, head of serious and organised crime, Essex and Kent Police. “Mark has helped catch more criminals with his equipment than any other company we know. He is also known now as an expert tracker across many police forces and trains officers on tracking. “We look forward to continuing our association to ensure we maintain our position at the forefront of detection and the successful prosecution of criminal behaviour.”

Abtec to shift to industry 4.0 with appointment of Head of industrial IoT

As Abtec Building Technologies seek to enhance its service offering to industrial and commercial customers, the award-winning smart buildings provider has announced the appointment of Kieron O’Toole as Head of Industrial IoT. In his role, O'Toole will lead the business unit responsible for the design and management of IoT, and data infrastructure for commercial customers - from edge to core to cloud. This allows Abtec to deliver greater expertise and value in smart buildings and the new wave of smart factories being implemented. The Industrial IoT service brings together Abtec’s range of digital services including IT/OT converged data networks; high availability data centres and WAN; cyber security; intelligent lighting, heating and access control; CCTV; presence tracking; and 24/7 infrastructure and energy management. These digital foundations reduce operational cost and risk for customers, but they also form the bedrock of wider Industry 4.0 programmes such as digital twins, supply chain integration, machine learning and AI optimisation, whilst enabling a world of new Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors and applications to be deployed. Prior to joining Abtec at the beginning of October, Kieron has worked extensively across the industrial and enterprise ICT environments in systems engineering and businesses improvement roles for organisations such as Polestar Interactive and BT Global Services. He is also a member of Aston University’s Industrial Advisory Board and the Institute of Consulting. Of his appointment, Kieron comments: “It is an exciting time to be joining Abtec Building Technologies. Industrial IoT will play a transformative role in customer experience and production efficiency and will enable new ways of working across the entire supply chain. Using my knowledge and experience, I am looking forward to being part of Abtec leveraging its unique expertise, assets and service wrap in the industrial market to provide our customers a reliable data infrastructure partner.” Dave Watkins, Director of Abtec Building Technologies, concludes: “We are delighted that Kieron has joined Abtec in this new role. He has a proven track record in delivering results, and his expertise will add value to our business as we grow our Industrial IoT service offering.”

National 5G test centre opens at Maynooth University

RadioSpace, a new €1.5 million national test centre for next-gen wireless technologies such as 5G and IoT, has been opened at Maynooth University in Ireland. The new 5G test centre, which is one of the first of its kind in Europe, has been designed to provide a range of services to developers of 4G mobile networks, IoT-enabled products, 5G and mmWave devices. RadioSpace, will be open to enterprises, SMEs and start-ups, and will provide a unique, large scale, interference-free facility for scientists and engineers from industry and universities, in Ireland and internationally.  The facility consists of a specially constructed anechoic chamber that provides perfect isolation for radio signals. Nothing can enter, and nothing can leave.  With advanced test equipment and specialist engineers, this allows for very sensitive measurements to be made, essential for the development of modern wireless devices. RadioSpace connects industry and academic researchers. The aim, to address the full range of challenges in developing new technologies and products for the next generation of wireless devices.  The €1.5 million facility, which has received €638,000 funding from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), is part of Connect - the world-leading SFI Research Centre for future networks and communications. This service is available to SMEs, and access can be facilitated via the Enterprise Ireland Innovation voucher scheme.  This ensures that both SMEs and larger organisations can avail of the technology and expertise of researchers in Maynooth University. According to Professor Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University, “This facility will serve as the National 5G Test Centre for Ireland, providing a space for next-generation wireless technologies to be tested, refined and applied on an international scale. I’m pleased to say that RadioSpace will be available to all those who can make good use of it, from leading researchers and innovators to students just starting their careers, from the largest multinational to the smallest of start-ups.  Until now Irish industry working in this space has needed look abroad to avail of similar facilities and I’m proud we are now in a position to provide this centre of excellence right here in Maynooth.”

Sony's new IoT chipset promises a 60 mile range

Despite huge advancements in networking technology, it’s still commonplace for the average consumer living in a large home to complain about their Wi-Fi signal. Whether it’s devices refusing to connect to the network, or the cliff-edge drop in internet speeds, networking range is still a major factor when building a smart home. Thankfully, it may not be a factor for much longer, as Sony has developed a brand-new IoT chipset that promises a range of 60 miles. A 60-mile range for an IoT chipset is crazy considering not even the largest estates in the country occupy that much land. In fact, the crazy range of Sony’s CXM1501GR chipset could theoretically mean that someone in central London would be able to connect to an IoT-enabled device in Cambridge, and still have range to spare. Thankfully, this chipset has plans much grander than simply controlling a homeowner’s heating or lighting. Don’t jump on the hype train just yet Despite a reported 60-mile range, don’t jump onto the hype train straight away, as there’s quite a few technicalities to cover first. While it’s true that users won’t have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network or have a phone signal in order to communicate with IoT devices equipped with Sony’s chipset, they will have to be within range of a dedicated low-power wide area (LPWA) ELTRES network mast, which Sony plans to roll-out by the end of the year. These masts enable the transfer of low-bit data across a wide area, without sucking up huge amounts of power – ideal for IoT applications. The CXM1501GR’s huge range comes from the fact that it transmits in the 920MHz band, which is similar to what is offered by a standard 2G mobile signal. While Sony says that its IoT-enabled chipset is capable of 60 miles of range, in the real-world, that’s likely to be much less. That’s because it’ll have to deal with physical barriers, such as walls and trees, as the signal makes its journey. Despite this, there are some major benefits with using this low frequency band. How can Sony’s new chipset be used? Sony believes that by taking IoT devices off traditional networks, it will enable them to run more efficiently. This is especially true in an urban environment, where Sony’s new chipset won’t be required to compete with other devices for bandwidth. This is a problem that is supposed to be solved by 5G, but it’s clear that Sony wants to give IoT devices their very own network. For city dwellers, Sony’s new chipset should allow for a myriad of use cases, such as – tracking home deliveries, monitoring street lamps, keeping tabs on children, and even helping run a city’s bicycle rental program. It’s in rural locations where the Sony CXM1501GR chipset reallt shines, however. Not only can Sony’s chipset transmit data over large distances with very little power, but they also come equipped with GPS/GNSS sensors to obtain time and position data. This means that these IoT chips will be invaluable in assisting with search and rescue operations, while it can also be used to keep track of drones, rental vehicles, buses, and trains. In fact, Sony believes that the possibilities are truly endless for its IoT chipset. While Sony may believe in its chipset, the company is not yet ready to commit to an international roll-out. The network is set to initially roll-out in the company’s native of Japan later this year, but if the technology proves to be viable, then we could be seeing it roll-out globally in just a few years time.

Ford and Autonomic collaborates with AWS to advance vehicle connectivity

Ford, Autonomic and Amazon Web Services (AWS), have announced that they have formed a collaboration which aims to advance the availability of cloud connectivity services, as well as connected car application development services for the transportation industry. Through this collaboration, Autonomic’s Transport Mobility Cloud (TMC) will be powered by AWS and be used as the standard connected car solution for Ford vehicles. Ford Mobility and Autonomic say they selected AWS for its global availability, and the breadth and depth of AWS’ portfolio of services, including; Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, analytics, and compute services. The collaboration with AWS promises to allow additional partnership and business opportunities for automakers, public transit operators, large-scale fleet operators, and software developers. As a Technology Partner in the AWS Partner Network (APN), Autonomic says it will also work with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and System Integrators (Sis) to offer vehicle connectivity services and capabilities for developing connected vehicle cloud services, vehicle features, and mobile applications to automotive manufacturers and mobility application developers. Marcy Klevron, President at Ford Mobility says, “This collaboration will significantly expand our opportunity to deliver the very best experiences to Ford vehicle and mobility customers. I am excited that our future cloud standard for connected vehicle solutions will be powered by AWS in addition to Autonomic’s Transportation Mobility Cloud. Working with AWS and Autonomic, Ford and our mobility partners will have access to the industry-leading mobility platform.” The collaboration represents an expansion of the existing relationships between Ford, Autonomic and AWS.

UK in pole position in £62 billion self-driving car race

The UK is in pole position in the global race to market for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), with a £62 billion boost to the UK economy by 2030 up for grabs, according to a major new report published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and Frost & Sullivan. The report titled: Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: Winning the Global Race to Market, analyses the wide-ranging societal and economic benefits to be achieved by gradually increasing CAVs on our roads. The report identifies that the UK is in a strong position to capitalise, with more than £500 million already committed by industry and government to CAV R&D and testing. Autonomous driving trials are taking place across many major towns and cities, and we are home to four major CAV test beds and three additional sites focused on highways, rural and parking, with more than 80 collaborative R&D projects underway. The next game-changing step is to move from testing CAV technologies to deployment in the real world. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as Autonomous Emergency Braking and Collision Warning are already available on the majority of new cars registered in the UK.  Combined with the gradual introduction of automated vehicles from 2021, this will deliver massive safety benefits. Over the next decade, the technology is set to prevent 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives. At the same time, some 420,000 new jobs will be created, including in the automotive industry and other sectors such as telecoms and digital services. Driving commuters, meanwhile, will gain back the equivalent of a full working week thanks to more ‘downtime’ and smoother traffic flows during their commute. The UK is in pole position in the £62 billion self-driving car race The report pinpoints three critical areas that will help CAV rollout and in which the UK has a significant advantage: supportive regulation, enabling infrastructure and an attractive market. With the world’s first insurance legislation for autonomous vehicles already in place, the most comprehensive review of road transport underway and more miles across motorways, urban and rural roads able to be driven autonomously, the UK is already ahead of global rivals in its readiness to commercialise self-driving technology. The report ranks the UK above other major automotive countries, including Germany, US, Japan and South Korea as a global destination for the mass rollout of CAVs. To realise this potential, however, the conditions must be right, and sustained support from government will be vital – particularly if we are to meet its ambition to get autonomous vehicles on to UK roads in 2021. The report’s key recommendations for government include updating road traffic laws, improving 4G coverage across all road networks, encouraging local authorities to work with industry to implement urban mobility services and influencing future harmonisation of international regulations to ensure these new vehicles can operate seamlessly between the UK and abroad. Crucially, however, the UK’s departure from the EU must be orderly with a deal that supports both the industry and technological collaboration, especially in data. A ‘no deal’ Brexit will result in lasting damage to the UK’s reputation as a politically stable destination for inward investment, putting the benefits identified in the report at risk. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, says, “A transport revolution stands before us as we move to self-driving cars and the UK is in pole position in this £62 billion race. Government and industry have already invested millions to lay the foundations, and the opportunities are dramatic – new jobs, economic growth and improvements across society. The UK’s potential is clear. We are ahead of many rival nations but to realise these benefits we must move fast. Brexit has undermined our global reputation for political stability and it continues to devour valuable time and investment. We need the deadlock broken with ‘no deal’ categorically ruled out and a future relationship agreed that reflects the integrated nature of our industry and delivers frictionless trade.” Sarwant Singh, Senior Partner and Head of Mobility, Frost & Sullivan, adds, “The UK already has the essential building blocks – forward thinking legislation, advanced technology infrastructure, a highly skilled labour force, and a tech savvy customer base – to spearhead CAV deployment over the next decade. However, it will require sustained and coordinated efforts by all key stakeholders, especially the government, to realise the significant annual economic benefits forecast for the UK from CAV deployment by 2030 and drive the vision of safe, convenient and accessible mobility for all.”

Security concern: IoT devices under constant attack

Cyxtera Technologies, a secure infrastructure company, has released findings from its joint research effort with Singapore University of Technology and Design, showing that IoT devices are under constant attack – with more than 150 million connection attempts over 15 months. The report titled the ‘Detection of Threats to IoT Devices using Scalable VPN-forwarded Honeypots,’ reveals the detection of new attacks on IoT devices, with a focus on those leveraging zero-day vulnerabilities for specific devices. Key report findings include Researchers detected more than 150 million connection attempts to 4,642 distinct IP addresses.64% of incoming connections appeared to originate in China, with another 14% from the United States. This was followed by the United Kingdom (9%), Israel (8%) and Slovakia (6%). Researchers noted that it was difficult to definitively confirm the origination of internet traffic, however, as it is possible to re-route traffic to other locations, frequently employed as an obfuscation technique.All IoT devices saw attempted logins immediately upon coming online and the number of login attempts increased steadily over time.Within days of new malware campaigns going public – such as Mirai, Satori, and Hakai – those malware families were being used to attack IoT devices from the honeypot. In many cases, the increase in activity was identifiable in the days and weeks before the malware was publicly named. 54% of connections received by the honeypot were via Telnet port, while HTTP ports received almost all of the remaining connections.IP cameras received the majority of connections in the honeypot, suggesting greater attacker interest in those IoT devices as compared to others such as printers and smart switches. Several recent, large-scale attacks on IoT devices have targeted IP cameras. “IoT devices are an attractive target for attackers, because they are often a security after-thought and its harder to keep them patched and up-to-date — if patches are even available at all,” says Alejandro Correa Bahnsen, Vice President of Data Science at Cyxtera. “The researchers involved in this project accurately detected several large-scale attacks targeting IoT devices and demonstrated the frequency and speed with which these devices are targeted. This approach can be replicated by other threat researchers to broaden our collective knowledge about these vulnerabilities.”   New AppGate IoT Connector extends power of software-defined perimeter In tandem with the release of its research, Cyxtera also announced new functionality in its flagship Zero Trust solution, AppGate SDP, which promises to extend the benefits of network micro-segmentation and software-defined perimeter to connected IoT devices. The company says its AppGate SDP IoT Connector enables enterprises to enforce consistent access control policies across users, servers, and devices to protect today’s complex and distributed resources.   IoT devices are increasingly present in enterprise networks and are expected to grow even more with the advent of 5G networks. According to analyst firm IDC, worldwide technology spending on IoT is projected to reach $1.2 trillion in 2022. With the anticipated rise in IoT adoption, security issues must be addressed head-on to fully leverage the power of smart devices in a way that is safe and managed effectively. “The rapid adoption of IoT devices is outpacing the ability to secure them properly,” says Ricardo Villadiego, General Manager, Security & Anti-Fraud at Cyxtera. “These devices are connected to the same network as users, servers, and sensitive data, which creates risks for the network. AppGate SDP’s IoT Connector secures unmanaged devices, restricting lateral movement and reducing an organisation’s attack surfaces.”