The Internet of Things (IoT) industry continues to grow and expand across sectors and geographies, with a recent forecast by Statista estimating that the number of IoT devices worldwide is set to almost triple from 9.7 billion in 2020 to more than 29 billion IoT devices in 2030.
With this growth of IoT devices comes a drastic increase in opportunities for cybercriminals to penetrate a secure network. Each connected device opens a potential nonsecure entry point into a network that was initially secure.
Interoperability, safety and cybersecurity are key enablers for IoT adoption and, when implemented correctly, will help ensure the growth of the IoT industry continues on an upward trajectory. On the regulatory level, manufacturers must comply with safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and wireless requirements for access to desired markets. On the consumer side, buyers look for IoT products that work securely in real-world environments. Testing and certification processes can help manufacturers in their journey to comply with IoT safety requirements, from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth to 5G millimetre wave.
Interoperability is key
More and more digital-savvy consumers are incorporating IoT devices into their homes and workspaces, from smart doorbells and voice-activated assistants to connected light bulbs and thermostats. Interoperability enables this ever-increasing range of IoT devices within any given household to communicate with each other, share key data and respond in unison to changes in the environment – providing a more satisfying, seamless user experience.
Smart homes and buildings are only truly “smart” when their components integrate properly and work in tandem. The true value of IoT stems from the data the products generate. As the IoT product suite continues to expand and more devices are available and ready to be implemented across the home and office, delivering a truly smart and connected experience at scale will become an even more significant challenge. However, it’s an essential process to go through if we want IoT adoption to continue to increase. Our recent study with research firm Doxa found that 64% of consumers looking to purchase a smart home product say it is very important to them that manufacturers create a secure device. Additionally, almost three-quarters of consumers say that independent testing for a device is very important – proving security is vital if we want the sector to continue to grow.
Interoperability testing offers consumers more confidence in their connected product’s ability to perform correctly and securely with a wide range of devices. By testing products in real-world scenarios, they can be tried across a range of IoT and wireless standards bodies, including Bluetooth SIG, Wireless and 5G. Consumer expectations continue to evolve and increase, so it is vital that the interoperability testing process is done right.
Cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought
As mentioned, with the increase in IoT devices comes increased attention of cybercriminals, with security vulnerabilities in IoT devices across industrial and public sectors resulting in financial losses and disrupting critical infrastructure. High-profile hacking incidents continue to make headline news and highlight the need for device manufacturers to prioritise cybersecurity, with governments around the world launching security initiatives in response to address and mitigate cyber threats.
Device manufacturers must adopt cybersecurity standards during product development and design stages, not as an afterthought. It’s great to see that a range of dedicated acts and requirements promote and encourage the active adoption of certification and guidance tools, helping to broaden IoT security awareness. From the EU Cybersecurity Act and the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020 to this year’s cybersecurity labelling program for consumer IoT devices in America, these initiatives go a long way in helping consumers make informed decisions and build confidence in the sector. They also help standardise and streamline cybersecurity standards for connected devices and services.
The increase in required security often comes with an increased cost to the consumer. However, the Crime Science Journal found that consumers are willing to pay more for secure services or products, and in particular, Internet connected devices. This supports the fact that there is a real economic incentive for manufacturers to take this issue more seriously and place greater priority on security during the product development cycle.
Consumers and manufacturers can find further confidence and overcome IoT security challenges through dedicated IoT security certification programmes and IoT Security Ratings systems and marks. These can help consumers differentiate products based on their levels of security and boost their confidence in the safety and security of the products used across their home and work settings.
IoT adoption will continue to evolve
Whether it’s in the home, office or more broadly across transport and manufacturing, there are a range of benefits to the ongoing adoption of IoT devices – from improved productivity and utilisation of data to enhancing the customer experience. With more IoT devices in circulation than humans on the planet, it’s clear that adoption isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and we must continue to prioritise safety and security.
Interoperability and cybersecurity testing and certification for all connected products must be an essential part of the IoT device creation process. They will help support the sector’s continued evolution. Testing and certification help evaluate whether your products comply with regulatory standards and operate seamlessly with other devices and major connectivity/IoT platforms. They will also ultimately help deliver more reliable, safer and more secure connected products to consumers, improving customer experience and brand reputation.
Dean Zwarts is a Senior Global Business Manager for Cybersecurity at UL Solutions, focused on consumer, medical and payment security. He has more than 20 years of experience in technology, innovation and security. He has led start-ups and held roles like CTO and CIO and has led commercial teams in security. Dean has patents in security-based services and has contributed to standards organisations.