Security is now becoming increasingly important as data increases and moves everywhere. Since many devices are connecting to the network, large amounts of data can be generated. Cell phones, laptops, tablets and even smart TVs can all have sensitive data on them that hackers can use to threaten you for a variety of reasons. This is why protecting smart systems is so important.
So far, we've seen the IoT as a dumb chip with some capabilities that sits in a corner and does silly things. However, the future of the IoT will include humanoid robots that are actually extensions of the IoT and will have AI-driven systems running in them that can make decisions in real time.
In a large network, they can collaborate with each other to fight terrorism. If a smart home is hacked, then all your systems can be turned against you. Therefore, cybersecurity is critical to staying safe.
Today, many advanced hospitals are using IoT technology. Using IoT, it is a standard practice to monitor the patient's body and input the data obtained into the doctor's tablet or phone.
This eliminates the need for the doctor to check the patient's statistics, as the data is now at his fingertips. Only if a problem is detected, further tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis, and the same is true for telemedicine.
In the case of connected cars, you can get real-time data, such as where is the car? Where is it going? How much fuel is being consumed? All of this information can be collected through the vehicle network, and today, all automotive companies are moving in this direction.
The dark side of smart devices
Today's smart TVs run on Android, which at its core is Linux, and it can be hacked. This means that someone can easily hack into your Smart TV. If your Smart TV has a camera, then it can be used to spy on you. When the TV is powered on and in standby mode, it can still be hacked.
All modern cars are so sophisticated that they are like a mini computer. It has electronic control units, anti-lock braking systems and many other new features. If your car is hacked remotely while driving at high speed, then your ABS (braking system) may be affected because it is controlled by a computer. If the brakes fail, then you can be involved in an accident in an instant. Therefore, this technology can be used against those who are in high positions in the government or in important positions in the company.
Today, pacemakers are connected to hospitals and doctors via the Internet, using the Internet of Things. This allows the physician to see the status of the pacemaker and it will also report on the condition of the heart. The pacemaker performs heart function tests in real time, but if someone hacked, then that person could increase the pulse to make the heart beat faster, which could lead to cardiac arrest.
Smartwatches have built-in GPS, so if hacked, others will know your location and can physically attack you.
If a smart home is hacked, then all your systems can be turned against you. In the future, wars could also be fought in cyberspace, and once all cities become smart, there will be no need to send hundreds of millions of dollars worth of fighter jets to bomb anywhere, and a cyber attack on a smart grid or nuclear power plant could destroy an entire city.
Therefore, cyber security is critical to staying safe. If you really want to be safe, everything needs to be security checked.