The Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects, excluding computers and phones, that are embedded with hardware that allows them to connect with one another over the internet. These connected devices include the objects that you interact with everyday. Two areas where IoT has tremendous potential to improve the overall quality of life are transportation and healthcare.
Installing smart cameras and sensors in high traffic areas can improve the safety of passengers and drivers. Sensors installed by the New Jersey Turnpike to collect traffic data allow the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to reduce delays for drivers, and provide better responses from emergency services in the event of an accident. Smart cameras used in the Port of Cartegena in Colombia allow officials to improve monitoring and security over shipping containers.
Additionally, increasing the amount of internet capable devices in the healthcare sector holds tremendous potential for improving patient care and saving money. Goldman Sachs recently estimated that IoT could save billions of dollars in asthma care alone. Devices that are able to constantly monitor patients would allow doctors to easily identify potential issues, reducing healthcare costs tremendously. With connected devices, patients would be able to be monitored from the comfort of their own home, while still being able to relay real time information about their health to doctors. There are even companies developing edible “smart” pills that can internally monitor health issues and medication intake.
However, while an increased number of connected devices can decrease costs and improve quality of life, it also comes with certain risks. Each connected device represents a node in the network of IoT. An increase in connected devices means that there are more nodes and edges in that network, and so the network expands immensely. Information that previously was never even part of the network become deeply interlaced with other nodes. This means that sensitive data (such as healthcare records) are now part of that network, and thus are closer to those with malicious intent. Extra security measures would need to be put in place to ensure sensitive nodes are accessible only by approved sources.
http://www.cio.com/article/2981481/healthcare/how-the-internet-of-things-is-changing-healthcare-and-transportation.html