The field of IoT has seen a dramatic rise of internet technologies being integrated into everyday life. However, the lack of security has resulted in social pressure and government action forcing designers to implement stronger security features. How can edge computing help and why may it become the ultimate solution for IoT in the future?
Since their introduction, IoT devices have exploded globally with an estimated number of at least 20 billion globally. While the term Internet of Things, or IoT, is a relativity new term the use of internet related technologies dates back to the creation of the internet itself. But the IoT movement is more concerned with simple devices that traditionally would not have internet capabilities (such as sensors and data loggers) which is why it is considered a separate sector to standard internet computing technologies such as computers, laptops, and phones.
The first IoT devices were simple in nature and often targeted for niche markets including basic remote temperature and humidity logging. As the nature of the data that was being gathered was benign in nature (i.e. not sensitive), security was given the minimal concern with many devices using default passwords and unencrypted messaging protocols. Since the number of IoT devices at the beginning was minimal combined with the lack of capabilities these devices went unnoticed by security experts, cybercriminals, and governments alike. But all of this changed as technology improved, devices became more intelligent, and the nature of the data being gathered became more sensitive.
One technology that has accelerated thanks to the IoT sector is AI thanks to the unimaginable quantities of data provided by IoT devices. AI systems are being used to power many modern tasks that are otherwise too difficult or too varied to be programmed traditionally using if statements and switch cases to account for every possibility. Such examples would include speech recognition, voice recognition, image recognition, intelligent search results, and personalised assistants. As stated previously, the first data types gathered by IoT were benign in nature including temperature and humidity which could be use to create intelligent systems that can respond to those environmental stimuli. But designers quickly realised that with the advancements in microcontroller technologies (for example, the shift from 8-bit to 32-bit ARM) more complex data types could be gathered including audio and visual. Such systems could be used to create advanced AI IoT devices that could not only gather data about their surroundings but send this data to a cloud-based AI system which can learn from the data and provide better results in the future. For example, the Amazon Echo is an IoT device that submits spoken user requests to a cloud-system which is analysed for both performing the request as well as improving the AI for future use. Very quickly, IoT devices exploded globally containing a whole range of integrated features ranging from accelerometers, magnetometers, motion sensors, cameras, and microphones. But the speed at which these devices were being designed and put to market was far too great and this is where cybercriminals began to take advantage.
The speed at which IoT designs changed as well as the sudden increase in demand for IoT devices saw engineers turn around products in record time. This, combined with the inability of governments to respond to fast changing markets as well as the short-sightedness of designers quickly saw many billions of devices on the market that contained insufficient security measures while handling highly sensitive data. It would not be long before cybercriminals used the many weaknesses of IoT devices to perform malicious activities including DDoS attacks, crypto-mining, blackmail, and data selling. Devices on the market would either have a default password or no password, would not use encrypted messaging protocols, would be built on unsecured silicon technologies, or would leave admin privileges in place for the application space (i.e. the firmware would run with full processor privileges). Devices could also leave networks exposed by allowing an attacker to gain easy entry to the device and then utilising its network connection to either gain internet access or local access (which could allow it to gain entry to servers and other devices on the same network).
Despite warnings from security specialists and others in the industry governing bodies around the world have begun to introduce regulations that describe how designers should remove features that leave their designs open to easy attack. So far, the majority of these regulations are more concerned with removing default passwords but as time progresses these may change to include more features such as mandatory encryption, on-device hardware security, and the need for security when the device is decommissioned. However, there is one emerging technology that may help to solve issues with IoT security; edge computing.
Currently, IoT devices gather data from their surroundings and stream this data to a cloud-based platform which in-turn can provide multiple features including data viewing, data learning, and data processing. For example, an advanced home automation system might have various IoT sensors around a property whose data is streamed to a cloud-based service that determines how environmental controls should be adjusted. This use of the cloud to perform data processing is often called cloud-computing and essentially means that the data processing is done remotely from the IoT device responsible for gathering that data. Edge computing, however, is where the IoT device itself is responsible for some proportion of data processing either partially or entirely. Early IoT devices would not be capable of edge computing due to the limitations of technology at the time but with the introduction of powerful microcontrollers at equivalent prices local IoT devices can start to process their own data.
Edge computing holds a lot of advantages over cloud-computing including security, latency, and reliability. Since edge computing devices transmit little data to a cloud-based system (if at all) sensitive data is less exposed to potential sources of attacks. The lack of transmission means that an attacker would need to gain direct entry to the device itself as opposed to performing a man-in-the-middle attack, an attack on the server itself, or spoofing the server. Keeping data local to a device also provides designers with more opportunity to protect the data as soon as it is gathered with the use of memory encryption as well as dedicated security hardware. Edge computing devices can also perform partial processing on sensitive data before sending it to a cloud-based system for further processing which can help obscure data and thereby reducing its usefulness to an attacker (i.e. a trained neural net is far less sensitive than visual data from a camera).
Processing data itself locally to a device also means that latency is significantly reduced which is highly beneficial in applications requiring fast results (such as self-driving cars). The ability to locally process the data also removes the need for a constant internet connection which helps to improve reliability of the design. Many areas globally still suffer from internet reliability and can also be subjected to large swings in internet speed. The use of edge computing helps to increase the available bandwidth of a local network which can improve other services such as local servers and other IoT devices and therefore increase the maximum number of devices on a single network (thereby allowing for more IoT devices to be integrated).
While the cost of micros has continued to fall while their capabilities have significantly increased they are still more expensive than cheaper microcontrollers making low-end micros more desirable for mass-produced devices. The introduction of regulations also makes it harder to use mid-range devices that have the processing capabilities needed for advanced features as they may lack hardware security that could leave them exposed. At the same time, the need for AI in modern products also further limits the choices for engineers who may need AI engines on their IoT devices to efficiently run neural networks.
Edge computing provides designers with a whole new paradigm of computing that can see low-latency, high reliability IoT devices that can combine the best features of cloud-computing with local processing. Hardware security features such as secure boot and root-of-trust will become key technologies for securing devices and the inclusion of AI engines will allow devices to perform the majority of data processing locally. But despite the many security advantages provided by edge computing designers still need to carefully consider how their device handles sensitive data, how it can potentially be used maliciously, and how they can help to not only protect the users but also contribute to the world stage in an ever more interconnected future.
Read the original:
Edge Computing The Future IoT Solution - Electropages
- Setting up a Virtual Server on Ninefold - Video [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2012]
- ScaleXtreme Automates Cloud-Based Patch Management For Virtual, Physical Servers [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Secure Cloud Computing Software manages IT resources. [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Dell unveils new servers, says not a PC company [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Wyse to Launch Client Infrastructure Management Software as a Service, Enabling Simple and Secure Management of Any ... [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- As the App Culture Builds, Dell Accelerates its Shift to Services with New Line of Servers, Flash Capabilities [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Terraria - Cloud In A Ballon - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Ethernet Alliance Interoperability Demo Showcases High-Speed Cloud Connections [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- RSA and Zscaler Teaming Up to Deliver Trusted Access for Cloud Computing [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- [NEC Report from MWC2012] NEC-Cloud-Marketplace - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- IBM SmartCloud Virtualized Server Recovery - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- BeyondTrust Launches PowerBroker Servers Windows Edition [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- Ericsson joins OpenStack cloud infrastructure community [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- ScaleXtreme Cloud-Based Patch Management Open for New Customers [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- RootAxcess - Getting Started - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- How to Create a Terraria Server 1.1.2 (All Links Provided) - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Dell #1 in Hyperscale Servers (Steve Cumings) - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Managing SAP on Power Systems with Cloud technologies delivers superior IT economics - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- AMD Acquires Cloud Server Maker SeaMicro for $334M USD [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- Web Host 1&1 Provides More Flexibility with Dynamic Cloud Server [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- Leap Day brings down Microsoft's Azure cloud service [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- RightMobileApps White Label Program - Video [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- bzst server ban #2 - Video [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- “Cloud storage served from an array would cost $2 a gigabyte” [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- More Flexibility with the 1&1 Dynamic Cloud Server [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Hub’s future jobs may be in cloud [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Cloud computing growing jobs, says Microsoft [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- TurnKey Internet Launches WebMatrix, a New Application in Partnership with Microsoft [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Cebit 2012: SAP Cloud Computing Strategy - Introduction - Video [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Dome9 Security Launches Industry's First Free Cloud Security for Unlimited Number of Servers [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Servers Are Refreshed With Intel's New E5 Chips [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Samsung's AllShare Play pushes pictures from phone to cloud and TV [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Google drops the price of Cloud Storage service [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- New Intel Server Technology: Powering the Cloud to Handle 15 Billion Connected Devices [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Swisscom IT Services Launches Cloud Storage Services Powered by CTERA Networks [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- KineticD Releases Suite of Cloud Backup Offerings for SMBs [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- First Look: Samsung Allshare Play - Video [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Bill The Server Guy Introduces the New Intel XEON e5-2600 (Romley) Server CPU's - Video [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- New Cisco servers have Intel Xeon E5 inside [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- Cisco rolls out UCS servers with Intel Xeon E5 chips [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- From scooters to servers: The best of Launch, Day One [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- Computer Basics: What is the Cloud? - Video [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2012]
- Could the digital 'cloud' crash? [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2012]
- Dome9 Security Launches Free Cloud Security For Unlimited Number Of Servers [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2012]
- Cloud computing 'made in Germany' stirs debate at CeBIT [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- New Key Technology Simplifies Data Encryption in the Cloud [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- Can a private cloud drive energy efficiency in datacentres? [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Porticor's new key technology simplifies data encryption in the cloud [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Borders + Gratehouse Adds Three New Clients in Cloud Sector [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Dell to invest $700 mn in R&D, unveils 12G servers [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Defiant Kaleidescape To Keep Shipping Movie Servers [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Data Centre Transformation Master Class 3: Cloud Architecture - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- DotNetNuke Tutorial - Great hosting tool - PowerDNN Control Suite - part 1/3 - Video #310 - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Cloud Computing - 28/02/12 - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- SYS-CON.tv @ 9th Cloud Expo | Nand Mulchandani, CEO and Co-Founder of ScaleXtreme - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Oni Launches New Cloud Services for Enterprises Using CA Technologies Cloud Platform [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- SmartStyle Advanced Technology - Video [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- SmartStyle Infrastructure - Video [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- The Hidden Risk of a Meltdown in the Cloud [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- FireHost Launches Secure Cloud Data Center in Phoenix, Arizona [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- Panda Security Launches New Channel Partner Recruitment Campaign: "Security to the Power of the Cloud" [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- NetSTAR, Inc. Announces Safe and Secure Web Browsers for iPhones, iPads, and Android Devices [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- Amazon Cloud Powered by 'Almost 500,000 Servers' [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- NetSTAR Announces Secure Web Browsers For iPhones, iPads, And Android Devices [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Be Prepared For When the Cloud Really Fails [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Dr. Cloud explains dinCloud's hosted virtual server solution - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- New estimate pegs Amazon's cloud at nearly half a million servers [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Amazon’s Web Services Uses 450K Servers [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Saving File On Internet - Cloud Computing - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- DotNetNuke Tutorial - Great hosting tool - PowerDNN Control Suite - part 2/3 - Video #311 - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Linux servers keep growing, Windows & Unix keep shrinking [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Cloud Desktop from Compute Blocks - Video [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2012]
- Amazon EC2 cloud is made up of almost half-a-million Linux servers [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- HP trots out new line of “self-sufficient” servers [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Cloud Web Hosting Reviews - Australian Cloud Hosting Providers - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Using Porticor to protect data in a snapshot scenario in AWS - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- CDW - Charles Barkley - New Office - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Nearly a Half Million Servers May Power Amazon Cloud [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Morphlabs CEO Winston Damarillo talks about their mCloud Rack - Video [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2012]
- AMD reaches for the cloud with new server chips [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2012]