IoT (Internet of Things) - Part 1

Assalamualaikum w.b.t & Good Afternoon,

This morning, a friend of mine, Mr Taufiq Sani suggested me to post something about IoT (Internet of Things) or The Net of Things. Initially, I want to write this afternoon soon after I return home from my interview, but due to "mengantuk yg amat tadi" the idea of writing has been postponed to now. The time now is 05.20PM. Though the topic is something not really interesting to me. But it's okay. Just put some idea.

Speaking of IoT, this is my opinion. It's open to your suggestion, addition or to some extent, deletion. Feel free to comment below.

What is exactly the IoT and what is the importance as well as anything we need to concern about it.

What is IoT

• The internet of things isn’t new. It's has been discussed officially in one conference in 1989 (lupa kat mana). In facts, it has been talked for many years before that. 
• By definition, the IoT is every things/ devices/ appliances that connected to the internet. Those devices have sensors (gathers data), actuator (make physical changes/ response to the command given) and embedded system (e.g IC circuit, processor, switch, power etc.).
• In other word, it's smart device due to the capability to interact and respond upon trigger/ request.
• It is also an extension of the internet into the physical world. 
• IoT in Tech is an evolution while IoT in business is a revolution. (Forbes magazine)
• It's a big part of 5G, broadband experience everywhere/ anytime. Meaning it can be controlled remotely from any part in the world as long as we have internet connection.
• Often people misunderstood with IoT. They thought all IoT devices are something that carry prefix name "Smart" in front like Smart TV, Smart Fridge, Smart House. It's not exactly what it means. The reality is, it's more than that.

Three types of our products.

• Smart products -> Already in our life for over half of century. Simply just having an embedded device, doesn't create that much value.
• Connected products -> Have been around for a long time too. However the value associated is debatable. Simply just being able to connect your, let's say TV, radio, dryer to our smartphone. That's all.
• IoT products -> We can do a lot more value to our products. Simply put, it's the combination of Smart & Connected. A step further from Smart and Connected products.
  

Here is the basic understanding of IoT

• Programming 
• IT networking
• Data Analytics 
• Your Interest to know about IoT
  

In term of Engineering Point of View (like OSI layer in telco, isn't it?)

• Application 
• Presentation 
• Session 
• Transport 
• Network 
• Data Link 
• Physical
  

Design View (Designer or System Integrator)

• Front end (user touch points) -> For the users 
• Enabling infrastructure -> All the enabling technologies (interface medium)
• Back End (admin touch point) -> For the actual customers
  

Business View Perspective

• Software-defined product 
• Hardware-defined product 
• Network fabric 
• External system interface
  

 What the benefits of it

• It ease our life; be it in office or home. Improving our living standard
• Saving cost, time & money
  
• Scalability (capable to be scale, resize)
• Security 
• Flexibility 
• Ecosystem 
  

Is it really safe. Do we have nothing to worry about?

• What do you think? To me, everything new and glossy has downsides, security and privacy square measure the most important challenges for IoT. of these devices.
• The vast amount of data transmitted/ sent over to the database will be stolen/ picked up by the bad/ irresponsible people for exploitation/ victimization purpose.
• Despite multiple layer of security has been added/ introduced over the recent years, the issue of security & safety remain floating. Question marks still there.
• It still definitely not hack-proof against any massive & sophisticated hacking activity.

 to be cont..