5G and The Internet of Things
Every day brings the announcement of new and exciting forms of technology that promise to make our lives easier and more entertaining. Smartphones are old news — we now have smart watches, automated cars, ‘extended reality’ (a combo of virtual, augmented and mixed reality) and digital currency. Technological advancements have been described as the fourth industrial revolution and means that we can now carry out day-to-day tasks quickly, securely and remotely
Whilst we may be able to dream up infinite forms of innovative devices, it’s a different story when it comes to manufacturing and implementation. Often we simply don’t have the resources and capability to create what is in our heads. Fortunately, the development of 5G technology promises to make dreams a reality with incredibly fast download speeds, increased data capabilities and widespread network adaptations.
With these exciting changes in mind, it’s important to put security at the forefront of everything you do, and to always remain aware of the steps that should be taken to secure you and your family’s online privacy.
The Internet of Things explained
What is the internet of things? Put simply, the Internet of Things — or IoT — refers to the vast number of interconnected devices that have the potential to store information and communicate remotely with each other.
Historically, the development of micro computer chips opened up a whole new world of possibility when it came to devices that could be connected to the online world. Creating gadgets that could communicate with each other added an unprecedented layer of responsiveness and led to such devices to be labelled as ‘smart’.
‘Smart’ technology now extends beyond phones to lightbulbs, fridges, air conditioning, security systems, cars and even cities.
The Internet of Things is ever growing. Tech analyst company IDC predicts that by 2025, there will be 41.6 billion devices connected to the IoT and that increased adaptation of IoT devices by industrial and business sectors are likely to account for the bulk of this growth.
Whilst there are many positives associated with the IoT, it is important to be aware of the security concerns that have been raised by having such a high number of devices tracking personal movement and data. Internet of Things security is an increasing issue for developers, manufacturers, users and governments and with the impending rollout of 5G, promises to be a hot topic of conversation.
All about 5G
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network, following 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G. Whilst the advent of a new network generally means increased download speeds and data capabilities, each system has brought with it specific changes to mobile network capabilities that has ultimately improved the way that we work, communicate and play online.
When compared to 4G, 5G is faster, has more traffic capacity, lower latency (delay in data transfer) and is focused on supporting newer forms of technology, including those that fall under the spectrum of the IoT. 5G is expected to be an unprecedented factor in the increased development and uptake of IoT devices across all sectors and environments.
Whilst it is expected to take a fairly significant amount of time for 5G to be adopted on a widespread basis, businesses, industries and consumers are already excited about the potential benefits.
Securing your online world
The growing enthusiasm regarding the benefits that 5G offers to IoT developers and consumers is certainly understandable (and contagious!) however, as with all new forms of technology, it’s important to keep in mind potential risks to the security and privacy of users.
The more IoT devices that we introduce into our home and lives, the more of our personal data we risk sharing to companies who may not have privacy at the forefront of their concerns. Internet of things security is an evolving sector and it’s important to remain up to date with the latest news and governmental legislations.
Whenever you purchase a new form of smart technology, ensure you follow these steps to safeguard your security:
- Use a strong and unique password for devices and accounts.
- Always read the privacy policy of apps that may be required to operate smart devices.
- Do your research before you buy. Ensure you know what information your device is collecting, how it is stored and protected and if it is shared with any third parties.
- Regularly update your device with the latest firmware and security settings.
- Use a trusted VPN to secure all your internet connections.
- Download reputable antivirus software onto all your computers, phones and tablets.
By following these easy steps, you can safeguard your personal information whilst enjoying all the benefits offered by IoT devices and 5G technology.
Author Bio:
Bridget
Bridget is a writer and editor, currently living in Melbourne. She is a copywriter for Newpath Web and loves working with words of all shapes and sizes. When not playing around with punctuation and grammar, she enjoys travelling and curating her Spotify playlists.
