There are countless potential uses for IoT in every business, including agriculture, ERP, machine learning, energy, and finance. Where  web-enabled devices are transforming our universal rights into a larger switched-on space to live in all over the world , there are particular difficulties with IoT too. Given the recent rapid developments in sensor technology in terms of speed, sensitivity, and network coverage, the challenges of Internet of Things has become one of the most popular concern for the enterprises.

IoT demands have recently received a lot of attention, and businesses are enthusiastic about the business value of the data that will be produced by putting such networks in place. In contrast, IoT is constrained in its growth by a number of end-user security and privacy concerns. So, it is an need of an hour to address all the challenges which might hinder not just the efficiency of IoT enabled devices but the productivity of the enterprises also. The quicker an IoT project may reach the market and have an impact on the globe, the more preparation and practical actions that are made to handle important factors.

This article is about some key challenges in the world of IoT which needs to be addressed ASAP. In addition to this, we shall also be discussing some actions which could help resolve IoT related challenges.

IoT Challenges

Whenever markets gets evolved with the new technology, business organization can not immediately adapt those technologies. there are various factors which determined the applicability of any new technology. The factors include:

• Availability of resources
• Feasibility requirements
• technological requirements
• Economical resources

Therefore, businesses must examine hardware and software solutions pragmatically to meet their needs in light of the range of options available. Despite the development of IoT solutions, it can frequently be challenging to locate a flexible and affordable device that meets all criteria.

Following are some top faced IoT challenges:

Security Challenges of IoT

Innovation brings with it a new vulnerability. Every connected device adds another portal of entry for cybercriminals, possibly bringing down entire networks, whether it be a temperature sensor buried underground or a fitness watch.

According to a study by IDC, deploying new digital technology quickly frequently results in inadequate security precautions being taken.
There are frequently holes in securing legacy systems that might link to more open environments, as well as security risks around new IoT equipment.
In that situation, a compromise of an IoT device can potentially provide hackers access to antiquated systems. The compromised security of IoT works in several ways:

Weak Encryption

Encryption is one of the biggest IoT security challenges even if it is a great technique to stop criminals from obtaining data.

Data encryption shields information from view in the event of theft or illegal access. It is frequently used to safeguard data in motion, and its application in securing data at rest is growing. Data privacy and confidentiality are guaranteed, and the likelihood of data theft is reduced, thanks to data encryption and decryption. But many IoT aided devices are poorly encrypted which increases the incidence of data breaching or theft.

The data transported to and from many IoT devices is not encrypted, so if an attacker gains access to the network of the connected device, they can steal confidential data like passwords and other data going to and from the device.

• Solution to Weak Encryption 

Building and evaluating methods that keep the general public or outsiders from accessing private messages is known as cryptography. To overcome this difficulty, cryptography is a practical solution. When a cybercriminal passively examines data while it is being sent or received on the network, this is an effective defense against sniffing assaults, which are also known as eavesdropping attacks and are employed in industrial espionage.

Additionally, active eavesdropping, in which a hacker intercepts all pertinent messages and inserts new ones between two devices, is a common threat that cryptography is the go-to defense against. Therefore, weaker encryption of IoT could b resolved by employing cryptography along with encryption.

Lack of Upgradation And Maintenance

Updates for security features are frequently required for many IoT devices. While many modern wireless devices now support automatic over-the-air (OTA) updates, some still require user intervention in order to upgrade their software and firmware. Over time, the IoT devices become vulnerable if they are not repaired with frequent upgrades.

• Solution to Upgradation

Critical security upgrades for IoT devices installed inside of firms should be made available by businesses. Update techniques should be carefully considered by network administrators, who should use only signed updates and encrypted exchanges to ensure authenticity. Security demands that upgrades or patches be made available, regardless of how expensive they may be for the manufacturer.

Weak and Predictable Passwords

 

The default passwords on the majority of IoT devices are simple targets for cybercriminals to break into. Hackers can easily attack a device directly if the credentials are guessable or hard-coded.

The attacker might already be aware of the machine’s password if default passwords are used. A notable example of such an assault is the Mirai malware. Mirai successfully attempted to log in using a table of 61 popular hard-coded default usernames and passwords, infecting IoT devices such as routers, cameras, and video recorders. It means any firm that leaves the factory default passwords on its devices exposes not only its own assets but also the sensitive information of its customers to the possibility of a brute force assault.

• Solution to default passwords 

Digital certificates, biometric authentication, two-factor authentication, and multi-factor authentication can be used to make sure that no one is able to access the linked devices without authorization. To prevent default password prediction, organizations should also establish public key infrastructure.

Improper Design Challenge of IoT

In the Internet of Things, multiple automated devices that are connected communicate with one another over the Internet. In addition to that, IoT also involves connectivity between a few connected items and a small network which is pretty smooth. But when things are done globally, mostly for multinational companies where several things are sent all across the globe using networks that is where connectivity issue arises.

Since global interaction comes with limitations which involves slow connectivity, heterogeneous protocols and different proxy severs and firewalls, IoT devices could barely stands such differences regarding their infrastructure.  Therefore, the design of the entire IoT system is viewed as a vital IoT component because it is crucial to the procedure’s overall success.

Power and Battery life Issues

The design difference might not be a problem when it comes to low level of IoT setup. But when it comes to high level of IoT setups, it does effect the overall efficiency of Internet of Things. Therefore, the design of the entire IoT system is viewed as a vital IoT component because it is crucial to the procedure’s overall success. For instance, although computers are becoming more compact, battery energy remains constant. Furthermore, a sleek form is useless in remote locations where everything is done on computers if the battery isn’t long lasting.

• Solution to Poor Battery Performance of IoT Devices

one way to resolve this issue is to install self chargeable power bank build-in or a proper maintenance of battery.  In addition to this, we can also have AI-governed predictive systems which will intimate  and predict  health and performance of battery.

Security and Compliances

IoT devices comes with another issue which is impaired compliance to standards and efficient security systems. Both these factors have made people cost a loss of billion dollars. Numerous security flaws enable hackers to get access to or take over the device and cause connectivity problems. That is why it is of prime importance specifically for the high-level IoT systems to ensure compliance with standard protocols and practices.

• Solution to Compliance 

In addition to being secure with cryptographic methods and security protocols, systems must be designed and implemented to be robust and reliable.
From the prototype stage through the final deployment, it involves a variety of strategies to protect all embedded system components. In addition to this, before they may be approved for sale in various regions of the world, boards featuring wireless components—or any radiating component—must go through stringent certification processes.

Deployment Challenges to IoT

Security, interoperability, power or processing capability, scalability, and availability are just a few of the variables that go into the successful deployment of an IoT system and its linked devices.  The majority of IoT gateways on the market are GPRS and Wi-Fi/LAN compliant, however legacy devices rely on PLCs, telemetry systems, and RTUs to produce data. In order to deliver data to the IoT platform, a proper edge layer that converts transport and data format protocols is required.

It means IoT deployment in any organization ca not be made without prior checking of both organiztion and the IoT devices capability to integrate well.

Connectivity Issues

The ability of an IoT device or appliance to carry out a communications handshake that links and then opens the door for communication with another device or system constitutes connectivity as a core building block of the IoT.

Successful IoT implementation requires a smooth information flow to and from devices, infrastructure, applications, and the cloud. especially when crucial activities are at stake. Both maintaining a variety of devices and the intricacy of wireless networking, with its still-evolving set of standards, can make things more difficult. However, when IoT sensors are needed to monitor process data and provide information, weak connectivity becomes a problem. Thus, connectivity issue of IoT system within organization needs to be addressed strategically.

• Solution to connectivity issues 

Organizations must choose the strategies they will employ to provide them with the data throughput and range they require, the amount of latency they can accept, the IoT’s scalability they will need, and the mobility, security, and cost-saving goals that the IoT must deliver. One option to improve industrial IoT deployment is to use an automated IoT connectivity management software. This gives you the ability to fully manage and control all of your IoT devices. One advantage of modern IoT connectivity management solutions is increased capacity. They thus assist in achieving production goals.

Lack Of Skill Set

 

An effective deployment of IoT comes with a need of technological resource. Whenever a company decides to deploy ant sort of technology, they should make sure that company employees have that needs skill set. Without having no body would be able to use that technology effectively at its fullest. The ability to overcome significant obstacles will always be possible with the proper personnel, which is a crucial advantage for developing IoT applications.

• Solution to less skill set

The lack of skill set should be taken in consideration prior to IoT implementation. The management should conduct trainings of all the employees who are going to be the first hand user of IoT governed devices or manufacturing plants.

Wrap Up

Without a question, IoT can significantly improve corporate processes, and connected items have become the norm. All you require is a deeper comprehension of these difficulties and knowledge of the crucial actions that ought to be taken. You can create a solid IoT foundation that fulfils its potential by utilizing the appropriate design, compliance, manufacturing, and security technologies.